I am writing to express my support for the Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club and the Kinsmen Club in their efforts to keep cross-country skiing alive at Hiawatha. I have been skiing at Hiawatha for almost 30 years and I remember the "good old days" before STAR took over responsibility for the trail system. The skiing and grooming were excellent, and more importantly the skiers, both local and those from out of town, were happy and satisfied with their skiing experiences. Believe it or not, there used to be busloads of skiers from Michigan in the parking lot almost every weekend. Now the grooming is terrible, skiers are unhappy because trail fees seem to be disappearing or they are used by the Conservation Authority for purposes that have little to do with skiing, and the morale of volunteers, who are instrumental in keeping the ski racing and Jackrabbit programs alive, is dissipating rapidly. Skiing is a very important part of our local heritage, contributes to the health and well-being of our citizens, and could be a significant source of tourist dollars for local businesses. I fail to understand why the CA and city council do not appear to want to support the only viable alternative for operating the Hiawatha trail system to everyone's benefit.
I am sending this e-mail to the Mayor and all city councillors so that my views on the subject are generally known. I would request a reply from the Mayor and my own ward councillors, with the expectation that they represent my best interests at the municipal level. Should you support the CA in their misguided attempt to destroy cross-country skiing in the Soo, I would like to know the reasoning behind such a decision, since I certainly fail to see the logic in it.
Steve Holmes
23 Atlas St.
Sault Ste. Marie, ON
