I was hoping for a sensible solution to the grooming of trails and do what's best for the Sault. I was instrumental in the development of the trails beyond the original two-kilometre and five-kilometre trails and am disturbed by what is happening.
There was no need to disband STAR. The people involved should have been able to discuss and resolve the problems rather than dissolve the whole organization, which was detrimental to the whole community.
Today we have a conflict going on between the landowners, which will result in a split operation if not resolved.
A split operation will not survive because it will split the income as people will not buy two passes.
The landowners in the area must first meet to resolve the conflicts before anything can be resolved .
I oppose a for-profit operation, as that will only result in higher costs. Many users are seniors or families with several skiers who will not be able to afford to ski.
The Conservation Authority say it has 16 km to groom, but really only has eight, as the rest of the trails are pieces of trails surrounded by other landowners.
Hopefully, Ward 4 Councillor Neil DelBianco's meeting of all interested parties can resolve the problems.
STAR awarded the equipment and money to the Soo Finnish Nordic Club so they are serious about grooming, but the conflict between them and the Conservation Authority is a serious issue and needs to be resolved.
This is a community asset and losing it or making it too expensive to use must not be an option.
These trails have provided healthy recreation for thousands of skiers each year and brings in many skiers each winter for vacations and for events held on these trails.
Many of the events have been national ones, bringing in skiers from across Canada and the U.S., which provided money and publicity for the city.
It has produced national- and Olympic-level skiers. Also,these trails save the city and province money as healthy, active people use the health care system less.
The city has not supported these trails financially yet spends hundreds of thousands on creating and maintaining facilities for hockey, swimming, baseball, soccer, etc.
It is time they came to the table and financially supported the cross-country ski trails and resolved these issues.
The main concern of the Conservation Authority is to get cash from the potential lease holder. They have not asked for anything else like school ski programs which were offered by STAR.
These trails are an asset to the community and are one more reason for people to want to live here or move to the Sault.
Not having them will result in some people leaving for a community that does provide them, and these are the type of people we do not want to leave our city.
Skiers, don't be apathetic. It is an election year. Call and write your city representatives on this issue.
Allan Riutta,
LaSalle Court
