The Sault Ste. Marie Regional Conservation Authority last night awarded the right to manage its Hiawatha Highlands ski trails to the Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club.
Members of the authority's board voted 3-1 (one member was absent) to amend their original request for proposals to award a five-year agreement instead of the original one-year deal.
In another change, the conservation authority decided to give itself the right to terminate the agreement if there's sufficient reason.
Ward 6 Councillor Frank Manzo, a member of the authority's board, voted against the deal, arguing that there wasn't a strong enough business case to award a management contract to the Finnish ski club.
Final details of the agreement must still be ironed out between the two parties.
Last night's agreement is subject to annual reviews by the conservation authority.
The conservation authority attached several conditions to acceptance of the ski club's proposal.
"The ski club will agree to pay the Conservation Authority $7,500 pending receiving of that money from the City," said Ernie Gulyas. the authority's chair. "The agreement will also be subject to yearly reviews."
Ski Club President Kevin Hogan expressed concerned about the idea of yearly reviews and the 30-day cancellation clause.
As originally presented last night, the clause would have allowed the authority to end the ski club deal without cause.
Hogan objected to that and asked board members to more clearly define the criteria for yearly reviews.
After discussion, the authority decided to change the 30-day notice clause to say that the only way it could cancel the agreement is with cause.
Gulyas was adamant that the clause remain, however, stating that the authority must retain full control of its lands and have a way to terminate an agreement in the event that authority's values and goals are not being met.
"The Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority was established as a corporate body in 1963 to help alleviate the flooding problems frequently endured by residents of this community," said Gulyas.
He said the authority operates under provincial legislation that requires it to promote restoration, conservation, development and management of natural resources, particularly relating to watershed areas.
"The conservation authority reduces the risk of loss of life and chances of damage to property," Gulyas said. "Over the years the authority has purchased and owns lands for the purpose of flood control and the protection of headwaters."
"Ancillary to this original function, many recreational uses have developed over time," he said. "While watershed management continues to be a provincial priority, locally we are committed to providing diverse recreational opportunities."
Gulyas said that the authority has the right and obligation to manage its lands for the benefit of all citizens of the area and for all seasons.
It has also been encouraged to find ways to generate revenue and support its programs, he said.
Gulyas said it's vital that the authority be legally free to terminate an agreement with anyone if that group or individual is found to be contravening any of the authority’s local or provincial mandates.
At last night's meeting, Sault Mayor Rowswell and Ward 4 Councillor Neil DelBianco told Brian Anstess of Heyden Adventure Base Camp that, although his company was not selected to manage the authority’s 15 kilometres of trails, its business ideas were sound and interesting.
"As far as we’re concerned," said Rowswell, "there are no losers in this deal."
He said that Tourism Sault Ste. Marie Director of Tourism Ian McMillan liked the ideas brought forward by the Heyden Adventure Base Camp and would like to work with it and promote it more.
After the meeting, Anstess commented that, although he is disappointed that it didn't get the deal, Heyden Adventure Base Camp is looking forward to a good season this winter.
"I think there's a lot of power to be had when everyone's working on the same page," said Anstess. "We can create a sort of ski culture in Sault Ste. Marie and bring all our visitors here."
At the conclusion of the public portion of last night's meeting, the authority also struck a committee to iron out all the legal details in its agreement in principle with the Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club.
Those committee members (Rowswell, DelBianco and conservation authority General Manager Linda Whalen) will consult with the City's legal department before recommending a final draft to be presented by the authority to the Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club.
At City Council's next meeting it will also hear a proposal to grant the Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club $7,500 to cover the fees the Conservation Authority is asking for, said DelBianco.
