INNISFAIL - The town is looking into whether there is room in its budget to help the Innisfail Ski Club with the $385,000 bill for its new chalet.
Coun. Jean Barclay brought up the issue at council’s regular meeting last month, noting Red Deer County reimburses its citizens from divisions 3 and 4 for costs they incur to use the facility. Barclay estimated the ski hill receives about $5,000 to $7,000 annually from that country initiative.
Barclay put forward a motion to direct administration meet with the ski chalet committee and report back to council about potentially contributing financially to construction of the new chalet and determining the amount of the town’s financial support that would be appropriate. The motion was passed unanimously.
Todd Becker, the town’s CAO, said administration would talk to ski hill officials to see how the town can contribute and will come back to council with a report.
“It should not take long to have that engagement,” said Becker when asked if the report to council would come back in July.
In mid-June, the old lodge that served the ski hill for 57 years was demolished to make way for a new chalet that could cost up to $385,000.
The new chalet, which is expected to be completed this coming fall, will be about 2,000 square feet in size, about 33 per cent larger than the old lodge. When finished, the facility will have more space for both guests and gear, an upgraded concession and larger washrooms.
Society savings will offset the $385,000 cost. The club has also made an application for a $125,000 matching provincial Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) grant.
Ski hill officials told town council about their new chalet plans at council’s Agenda & Priorities meeting on May 19. The presentation did not include a request for any financial assistance.
However, council members were in quick agreement on June 22 that the ski hill has become a valuable community amenity and that some financial contribution should be made.
“The fact that it (ski hill) is 100 per cent volunteer is amazing, year after year,” said Barclay. “They do a great job in the community.”
Coun. Don Harrison said many young citizens have learned how to ski there, adding numerous local families can not afford to ski at major ski hills like Sunshine Village Ski Resort and Lake Louise Ski Resort where it can cost a family of four up to $1,000 for a weekend.
Council was told the latest prices to ski in Innisfail are $10 for a day pass, $5 to rent boots and skis, and $10 for snowboards. Annual passes are $60 for youth, $80 for adults and $200 for families.
“Here is an opportunity for younger families to learn how to ski at an affordable rate,” said Harrison.
