The Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority says it's not refusing access to its cross country ski trails to the Sault Finnish Nordic Ski Club or the Kinsmen Club.
Christine Aasen, the conservation authority's assistant manager and communications officer, says it's simply looking for someone to manage the trails on its behalf.
"The request for proposals doesn't exclude an agreement with other property owners," Aasen tells SooToday.com
There's nothing in the request for proposals that prevents whoever wins the contract from negotiating a working relationship with the Kinsmen Club, Farmer Bob on Mockingbird Hill or the Sault Finnish Nordic Ski Club, she says.
Aasen says the conservation authority's board will be meeting soon to look at the final information received from the two groups who want to manage the authority's 16 kilometres of ski trails.
"That number includes all of our trails, including some that are not accessible at this time," said Aasen. "The Mockingbird loop, for example, is on the lands leased by Farmer Bob and access to that would have to be worked out with him."
She said the authority will hold a public meeting soon to look at and discuss the merits of both proposals, and may award the contract at that meeting.
The authority called for proposals to manage its trails last month after the partnership that had been running all trails in the Hiawatha Highlands ski area was dissolved.
The Kinsmen Club has been critical of the authority's handling of its portion of the Hiawatha Highlands ski trails, even during the time it was managed by the now-disbanded STAR (Sault Trails and Recreation) partnership.
In a news release issued this week, the Kinsmen said the conservation authority appears to have its own long-term agenda.
"It now appears that the conservation authority has no intention of allowing the ski club or any other group to groom trails on its land," said the release. "The [conservation authority] has set conditions for the use of its trails that simply cannot be met by the ski club."
According to the Kinsmen, the request for proposals will likely force them to relocate a parking lot, portions of an illuminated trail and non-illuminated trail, effectively segregating their interests.
Aasen said the conservation authority has made no request that trails be moved, nor has it denied access to the parking lot.
She also said she didn't believe the trails could be moved, even if Kinsmen or the ski club felt a need to do that.
Aasen said the Kinsmen Club could negotiate an agreement to continue using the parking lot on conservation authority lands with whoever secures the contract to manage it.
At Monday night's meeting of City Council, Tourism Sault Ste. Marie Executive Director Ian McMillan told councillors that the conservation authority, Kinsmen Club and ski club nned to play nice for the good of winter tourism in the City.
The Hiawatha Highlands ski area is a jewel in the crown of winter tourism in Sault Ste. Marie and it's vital that the entire trail system continue to be operated as a unit, without separation and with quality services, McMillan said.
A former STAR has member also communicated his concern for the welfare of the trails.
Andre Riopel e-mailed a message to the mayor and City Council before Monday's meeting, saying that the Sault Finnish Nordic Ski Club is the best organization to run the Hiawatha Highlands ski area.
"Would you be able to explain why the C.A. [conservation authority] is making it so difficult for the Sault Finnish Ski Club to continue to operate on lands owned by the C.A?" Riopel asked. "As members of City Council, I would have believed that you would see the importance of the ski area at Hiawatha Highlands is for our community and that you would have shown significant leadership in supporting the club and its activities as best you can."
Riopel went on to say that this ski area offers an opportunity for people to participate in a low-cost sport and enhances the health of participants.
