There must be a way we can continue to operate our impressive network of cross-country ski trails in the Hiawatha Highlands. These trails are as important to our tourism and recreational scene as anything else we can think of.
Do we want to attract young professionals to this area? Are we serious about getting residents active and healthy? Do we consider winter tourism important? If the answers are yes, we should be looking at ways to enhance these trails. It's frustrating that today it appears we're faced with bumps and hurdles.
A tendering process which would grant 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.
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 it is following procedure.
"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."
However, if in the end it means a divided and therefore less attractive trail system, we should go back to the drawing board.
Tourism Sault Ste. Marie also expressed its concerns to council this week.
If the entire 35 kilometres of ski trails in the Hiawatha Highlands are not utilized this winter, the city's winter economy will continue to struggle and Tourism Sault Ste. Marie won't be able to promote cross-country ski travel in its promotional material, the organization fears.
Tourism Sault Ste. Marie warns that whoever operates this facility should not only make sure that the 35 kilometres of trail are maintained, but that they all are groomed to their highest quality and that an agreement involve a long-term commitment to ensure a sustainable system.
It's also suggested that whoever takes over should foster the concept of hosting a number of "events" that will attract out-of-town participants and showcase the city's cross country ski trails. Indeed, what we should be focusing on is how we will keep all the trails open, not if we will.
There are numerous voices speaking out about the trails. What's required is leadership to bring them all together, especially from our elected councillors who sit on the conservation authority board. A resolution is expected at the next council meeting calling on all interested parties to meet and discuss the issue. A meeting of the Conservation Authority board will likely be called when it receives a final response to its proposal.
Of course, meetings and discussions are good first steps, but a resolution that keeps all the trails open is needed soon. This is Northern Ontario and the snow will fly before we know it. If the whole trail system is not open and ready for use at that time, it will truly be a shame.
