Kiwissa To Open Saturday But Why The Delay?
Township of Manitouwadge's new Director of Community Services Paula McCloskey says she and her retriever are enjoying meeting people on the walking trails around town (seen here at Kiwissa Ski hill). Photo OntarioNewsNorth.com
Kiwissa's new Ski HIll Manager Jason Leville stands at the base of the beginner hill. Photo OntarioNewsNorth.com
MANITOUWADGE, ON – The Township of Manitouwadge Community Services Department has announced that Kiwissa Ski Hill is opening, with limited runs, this weekend.
Skiers in Manitouwadge have been frustrated this season as snow making equipment, part of $750,000 in upgrades to the hill in 2009 (see links to related articles below) have been sitting idle as the hill remained closed. Community Services Director Paula McCloskey explained in a recent interview with OntarioNewsNorth.com that though there had been opportunity to make snow, the new Ski Hill Manager Jason Leville, hired prior to McCloskey being employed by the township, does not have the necessary training to use Kiwissa’s snow making equipment “There had been some training lined up for him to operate our snowmaking machine, that training actually fell through so we continue to look for some training for Jason along that way” explained McCloskey. The Director seemed to downplay the need for artificial snow saying it couldn’t “Make or maintain a hill” however in recent years artificial snow has been used at Kiwissa to make the base that allowed the hill to open in December and was credited with helping to maintain the hill in spite of mild weather.
In any case, at the end of it all the good news is that 2 runs plus the beginner hill are scheduled to be open this Saturday, February 9th, from noon to 5pm (with the same hours scheduled for Sunday), whether lift fees will be discounted to reflect fewer runs being open will be decided by council (unfortunately it doesn’t cost any less to operate the hill when fewer are runs are open).
OntarioNewsNorth.com has contacted the Director of Community Services regarding arrangements to continue providing the daily ski conditions on the site as had been done for Kiwissa under Dave Young’s management however she has yet to confirm or respond (this service is provided free to the township for local and regional ski enthusiasts).
RELATED ARTICLES
- Great Weather Enjoyed During Opening Weekend at Northshore Ski Hill (Trestle Ridge 2013)
- Frosty Days preparations at Kiwissa (2010, MPP Mike Brown thanked for $750, 000 Kiwissa upgrades)
- Interviews with Past/Present Kiwissa Ski Club Presidents RE: Public Mtg Oct.16
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