Misty Ridge will open this season

Misty Ridge Ski hill will open for business this winter.

The question is for how long and in what capacity.

That is what Misty Ridge Society board chair Kerry McElroy told the Barrhead Leader last week.

Contingent on weather Misty Ridge will open for operation before Christmas.

Whether the not-for-profit group would be able to continue operations came into question in April when they approached the County of Barrhead council asking for help covering a $10,000 deficit, the bulk of which was unpaid wages. The society also owed the county close to $7,000 for insurance.

Council agreed to cover the deficit.

Shortly after the society asked county council to consider contributing additional stability funding on a regular ongoing basis. So far they haven’t received a reply. McElroy said they have also approached service clubs in the area for additional dollars.

“Our volunteers staffed a charity casino in the spring and through those funds we will be able to at least start the season,” he said, adding how long it will be able to remain in operation depends on a number of factors, the biggest being weather.

Like all ski hills, how successful a season is largely dependent on the weather, which not only dictates when the season begins and how long it lasts, but the quality of the users experience.

“In our case, it [weather] is especially important, because while we often have the funds to start operating, we rely on the sales from our season and daily passes, to have the money to continue to operate and set up a reserve fund for the next year and to pay for repairs or upgrades,” McElroy said, adding this year pass sales will be especially important.

The majority of the society’s casino is committed to preparing the hill for operation and hiring a part-time manager.

“After that we will see how far our money takes us. If the weather is good and attendance is good we should be able to make it to the end of the season,” he said.

The Misty Ridge Society’s financial situation isn’t unique when it comes to non-profit organizations running recreational facilities.

Earlier this summer Linaria Agricultural Society approached the county for help in covering a $29,000 deficit in the operation of its ice arena. Last fall the Edmonton Ski Club asked city councillors for a $1.3 million infusion of funds to be paid over five years. One of their closest competitors, the Tawatinaw Valley Ski Hill, owned by Westlock County, has also faced financial difficulties over the last number of years.

As for what would happen to the hill if the society is not able to continue to operate, and the society folds, McElroy said the county would receive all its assets, as not only part of the lease agreement it has with the county, but through a county bylaw.

County of Barrhead manager Debbie Oyarzun confirmed via e-mail that the county would take control of the society’s assets, but not necessarily any debt.

Under the 1989 Dissolution Undertaking Agreement she said in the event the society is dissolved, the county, with council approval, can assume operation of the facility, look for another society to operate it, or choose not to operate it. After two years from dissolution the county has the right to sell the business if the county chooses not to run it or no other society can be found to assume responsibility.

When asked what happens, if all that fails, would the land have to be restored to its original state, Oyarzun said they would have to assess it at that time.

However, she said, the portion that is leased to the county from the province according to the 2013 agreement would have to remain as recreational.

“Of course we hope it doesn’t come to that and we have a good season, with a lot of happy skiers and snowboarders,” he said.