LETTER TO THE EDITOR
A concern over the future of cross country skiing in Sault Ste. Marie has recently come to my attention.
I would respectfully request that the mayor and city council of Sault Ste. Marie carefully consider how to best support the Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club and cross-country skiing.
For decades, members from my home club, Porcupine Ski Runners, travel every year to Sault Ste. Marie to participate in the Hiawatha Invitational. Our members are attracted to the variety of trails available for novice and master skiers alike, and the welcoming atmosphere created by the Soo Finnish Ski Club members.
In addition to our annual trip to the Hiawatha, members of our club have also participated in many Ontario Cup races and Ontario Winter Games hosted by the Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club.
The Soo Finnish Nordic Club is also well respected across Northern Ontario for the size and quality of their Jack Rabbit program for youth.
I think you should also be aware that the success of our volunteer ski club in Timmins, the Porcupine Ski Runners, is in large part related to the support we receive from the City of Timmins and the Mattagami Region Conservation Authority (MRCA).
The city of Timmins has just recently announced a $100, 000 in cash and in kind donation to support the construction of a new Nordic Centre.
The city has also intervened several times over the years to protect the integrity of our ski trails on private land.
The MRCA has partnered with our club on trail projects over the years and most recently to light 3.5 kilometers of ski trails. Our club membership has now grown to over 1,200 members because of this community support and our volunteer base.
I would respectfully request that you please foster a healthy, active, and vibrant community, in Sault Ste. Marie by supporting the Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club to retain and maintain the current ski trail system, for the benefit of all of us.
Greg Deyne, Chair of Northern Ontario Division of Cross Country Ontario, Timmins
