Ski lifts set to be removed from Mount Agassiz

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This article was published 20/12/2014 (4230 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

They’re tearing down Mount Agassiz Ski Hill.

A bid has been accepted to remove the ski lifts from the Mount Agassiz site, on the east side of Riding Mountain National Park. As well, tenders will be open this winter to remove the clubhouse, lounge and maintenance sheds.

The latest move seems to snuff out any hope the former ski hill can be resurrected, although supporters of the skiing site say they aren’t giving up.

Winnipeg Environmental Remediations Inc. of Winnipeg won the bid to remove a chairlift, two T-bar lifts, towers and mechanical equipment from the former ski hill site, at a cost of $89,000. The work is to be completed this winter.

A Parks Canada spokesman maintained “the derelict equipment is irreparable and presents a public-safety hazard.”

Ski hill supporters dispute that. “The chairlift is very useable, the buildings are very useable,” said Kelly Rose, the leader of skiing enthusiasts, along with the community of McCreary, trying to save the ski hill.

“Parks Canada puts a very negative spin on the conditions of the buildings, but nothing there can’t be saved. The main building needs a new roof but it needed one when it closed.”

Instead, Rose blamed a Russell-based numbered company, comprised of investors in the Asessippi Ski Hill near Russell, who bought up secured credit in the Mount Agassiz Ski Hill, and who he says have not co-operated with efforts to reopen it.

Regardless, Rose said the existing infrastructure didn’t figure into capital plans to revive the Agassiz ski hill. He was referring to a $4.5-million proposal to reopen the ski hill submitted to Parks Canada by the Agassiz Mountain Resort Development Group. The plan called for building a new ski lift and a chalet, as well as other structures.

The proposal, the only one received by Parks Canada during a request for proposals to redevelop the site, was rejected by Parks Canada last September.

The ski hill operated from 1961 to 2000. Parks Canada says it plans to restore the site to its natural state. “The objective is to have the site reopened to the public for day use (picnicking, hiking, wildlife viewing, etc.) as soon as possible in the 2015 season,” a spokesman said in an email.

“Parks Canada is really in a rush to clean the place up,” said Rose. “(Riding Mountain) is tight with money. Where are they getting the money from (to remove the ski hill infrastructure)?”

Rose was referring to the recent massive budget cuts that have forced Riding Mountain to become a three-season park instead of four seasons. Ottawa chopped $30 million from the Parks Canada budget, and refuses to say how much was cut from RMNP’s funds.

bill.redekop@freepress.mb.ca