It remains uncertain whether Westlock County will proceed with a series of repairs at the Tawatinaw Valley Ski Hill before holding a plebiscite in October, although CAO Leo Ludwig warned there could be major financial repercussions if the repairs aren’t done.
Councillors voted 3-1 during their July 11 meeting to table an information report on approximately $90,000 in various repairs to the facility.
If the report had been accepted for information, the repairs would have gone ahead, said Ludwig.
Instead, it will be brought to the Aug. 8 council meeting.
Earlier this year, the county entered into an operating agreement with DK Consulting Services Ltd. to operate and maintain the facility until Sept. 30, 2018. DK Consulting would receive a payment of $120,000.
In addition, the county would complete a series of repairs at the facility before Nov. 1, most notably completing construction of the ski chalet, including landscaping, building outdoor decks and finishing the 80-stall parking lot.
As well, the county agreed to address the surface and waste-water issues around the chalet, fix erosion issues at the half-pipe, replace four single-wall fuel tanks with a single, double-wall fuel tank, repair or replace hydrants that provide water to the snow-making equipment and furnish a suitable generator for the snow-making equipment.
Ludwig said that the county had already budgeted the necessary funds, though “it will be very tight.”
“If we run into any adverse conditions, it will be difficult to do them all within budget. But they were, for the most part, all budgeted for, and they are part of the agreement that was before council,” said Ludwig.
Coun. Dennis Primeau initially made a motion to accept the report for information, but Coun. Bud Massey spoke against it.
“I would hope that it is defeated,” he added.
As part of the fall general election, the county will conduct a plebiscite asking ratepayers if they are in favour of selling the ski hill or keeping it.
Massey said the plebiscite should be binding, adding that there is no sense in conducting a vote if it isn’t.
Also, Massey said he thought that it was wrong to invest more money in Tawatinaw until ratepayers have had their say.
Noting that he had “never been a big supporter of spending money at the ski hill,” Primeau argued the municipality has already agreed to do these site repairs and upgrades
Ludwig added that DK Consulting will not be able to operate the facility as per the agreement if these repairs are not done and that would put the county in breach of its agreement.
“Knowing how legalities work, the cost of that breach could surpass the cost of actually doing the projects,” said Ludwig.
Massey, however, remained resolute.
“If we’re having a plebiscite and people are going to have their say, and if they choose not to spend additional monies at the ski hill, then I think we’re remiss to spend additional funds at this time.”
Primeau then withdrew his motion, stating that they should wait until more of council was present. Councillors Ron Zadunayski and Ray Marquette were absent that day, while Albert St. Louis had to leave the meeting early.
“This doesn’t look very good,” he added.
Primeau, Massey and Coun. Mel Kroetsch voted in favour of the motion to table the report, while reeve Don Savage voted against.
