Nasty mischief-makers were out last week at the Innisfail Ski Hill.
They cut the ski hill's tow rope in two places, one of them completely through.
Members of the non-profit volunteer agency, which is celebrating its 54th year of operation in town, discovered the vandalism at about 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 6, an evening when the hill is open to the public from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The club was forced to shut down the hill, much to the disappointment of about 25 skiers who came to enjoy an evening of skiing.
Innisfail RCMP was called to investigate the crime. Based on comments from witnesses it's believed the tow rope was cut on Jan. 5 between 9 and 9:30 p.m. when a small group of people was observed and a loud snapping sound was heard. However, at this point in time there is no description of the vehicle or of the people who may be involved, said RCMP.
Mounties added their investigation into the crime is continuing.
Meanwhile, volunteers from the club were back at the hill on the afternoon of Jan. 7 repairing the damage to the tow rope, which has a value of about $2,500.
“We are a volunteer organization run by volunteers. However, our biggest issue is vandalism. It is an ongoing issue and we are trying to curb it,” said club director Bernie Vanderham. “People using the facility without proper authorization are disrespecting it.”
He said the club has consistently faced vandalism over the years, including break-ins to the clubhouse, graffiti, fires and messes left from alcohol-drinking trespassers. Vanderham said the recent incident is the first time in about 30 years the tow rope has been targeted.
In the meantime, club members said they were confident the tow rope will be repaired in time for the hill's next scheduled opening for the public, which was last Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. and from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The facility is also open on Sunday afternoons from 1 to 5 p.m., and Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Lift tickets cost $8 per session on the hill, and if boots and skis are needed the total cost for both is $10. For snowboarders, there is a $10 cost for a board and another $5 for boots.
For more information on the Innisfail Ski Hill, call 403-227-5155 or visit its Facebook page.
If any citizen has information about last week's vandalism at the Innisfail Ski Hill, he or she is asked to contact Innisfail RCMP at 403-227-3342 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Bernie Vanderham
"We are a volunteer organization run by volunteers. However, our biggest issue is vandalism. It is an ongoing issue and we are trying to curb it."
