An impressive network of cross-country ski trails in the Hiawatha Highlands is about to go downhill unless a compromise is reached, warns the Kinsmen Club.
A tendering process in the course of granting control over Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority-controlled trails in the wake of the breakup of Sault Trails and Recreation (STAR) is unworkable says Dave Urso, past-president of the Kinsmen Club.
It also has the potential to divide the current trail system, he said.
"I don't think the people of Sault Ste. Marie know what is going on," said Urso.
Currently, the Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club and Heyden Adventure Base Camp are the two respondents for the Conservation Authority's request for proposals.
But the one-year deal, with a price tag of a little over $10,000, is too short and too expensive to be feasible, said Urso, whose group has already agreed to hand over the operation of its facilities to the ski club.
"You can't go out and spend $110,000 for a groomer if you've only got one season," he said.
The proposal needs to be changed to a five-year deal with a lower annual fee, said Urso.
Ernie Gulyas, chair of the Conservation Authority board, said this is not the time to debate the details of the proposal.
He said the authority is acting in the best interest of the public and following procedure to the letter.
"The details of the request for proposal call that went out were debated, decided and approved by the Conservation Authority board. Period," he said. "That's what the board requires."
If one of the proponents can't meet the requirements they should provide reasons why, said Gulyas.
"Once the RFP is out, you don't change the terms of the RFP and you don't debate it," said Gulyas. "You don't negotiate after the RFP has been received and try to change your clauses afterwards."
He said the authority is waiting for clarification from one of the proponents before making a decision.
Brian Anstess, owner of Heyden Adventure Base Camp, said he was unaware that the request for proposal was contentious.
He said his business responded "with what we think is a workable concept."
Whether the ski trails could be operated feasibly under the authority's requirements "are things everybody has to figure out on paper," said Anstess.
As it stands now, whichever way the Conservation Authority board decides to go, the Finnish Nordic Ski Club would still operate the Kinsmen facilities and trails on the 160 acres of Kinsmen land and 80 acres the service club leases each year from the Ministry of Natural Resources, said Urso.
Urso said dividing the 38-kilometre system would cause "all kinds of grief," leaving the Conservation Authority with much of the beginner-rated trail and the Kinsmen the bulk of the advanced.
"We've had guys out the last few days marking trails and seeing how much it's going to cost us," said Urso.
The authority could operate about 8.5 km and the Finnish Nordic Ski Club could theoretically operate around 15 km in two sections, Urso said.
Urso said a dual system is not likely something the city could support. "It only works with the whole system."
