INNISFAIL – The new chalet at the Innisfail Ski Club is almost complete and will open it doors to the public early in the new year.
However, ski hill representatives will be making a presentation to town council about ways the club can be helped with the cost of the new chalet.
The presentation was expected to be made on Dec. 14 at council’s Agenda & Priorities meeting.
The ski club began construction of the new chalet earlier this year with an estimated budget of $385,000.
“There’s been a lot of volunteer help in the last while, so that has really cut the cost down,” said Brent Jackson, president of the ski hill. “That helped a lot, and there has been a lot of in-kind volunteer donations, and some product as well. We are quite happy.”
Jackson and the volunteer board of directors were hoping to obtain a $125,000 provincial Community Facility Enhancement Program grant to help cover the cost.
However, in a letter to the town, which was in council’s agenda package on Dec. 14, the club said its grant request was unsuccessful.
The letter to the town noted the ski club had $225,000 bank cash and has received donations from the community, ski hill members, service clubs and trades people. Council was informed the ski club has secured an interest free loan to ensure the chalet project is completed.
“To bring the project to completion we are relying now on mostly volunteer labour and donations from anyone willing to help the club out financially,” said the skill hill letter to council.
The letter went on to list several essential items, most costing thousands of dollars, the ski club wanted the town to consider for possible support into the project, including appliances for the chalet’s concession, interior and exterior tables, extra furnace and ductwork and rubber flooring.
Nevertheless, Jackson said last week during an interview he was pleased with the progress of construction.
When finished, the new chalet will be about 2,000 square feet in size, about 33 per cent larger than the old lodge. It will have an upgraded concession, larger washrooms, and a spacious downstairs area that could be used for executive meetings.
“I think that was the plan to keep it flexible for the future if people needed meeting space,” said Jackson. “Rather than have a bunch of rooms downstairs we’ve made a big open room, and some storage rooms on the side.”
He said work still to be done is flooring, and the installation of countertops and plumbing fixtures. He said approval is still required from a building inspector, which should occur by the end of the month.
“If we get some more snow people can come and just operate outside for now until its passed inspection and ready to go,” said Jackson,
As well, he noted the mandatory annual skill hill inspection must be done by the Alberta Elevating Devices & Amusement Rides Safety Association to ensure all mechanical aspects of the skill hill, including lifts, are up to code and safe for all users.
