Following a board of directors meeting Wednesday, the Mt. Timothy Ski Society has determined the sale of Mt. Timothy Ski Area is the last available option, said Michael Kidston, MTSS president.
“$200,000 will retire the outstanding debt and a new owner would then take over all operating agreements with the lands branch — lease and 30-year operating plan,” Kidston said.
“The directors feel they have exhausted all viable options, and with the opportunity to have a referendum to support Mt. Timothy through recreation tax funding being denied the only remaining option is to seek a buyer.”
READ MORE: Funding talks on the agenda for Mt. Timothy Ski Area directors meeting
A letter to the society’s members last month aimed to advise all stakeholders of efforts being undertaken of the hill’s current situation and cites the loss of its general manager, a lack of available annual funding, lost revenue due to a late opening last season and looming maintenance costs as reasons for the decision.
Kidston said “we still haven’t administered last rites” in regards to the possibility of opening next season.
“I wouldn’t say 100 per cent [not opening],” he said. “We’ve got to cross that bridge sooner or later, and the deadline’s coming in to get the funds to hire a general manager to make that happen. We’ve got maybe another month or so to maybe sneak under the wire and see if somebody comes out of the woodwork.”
Asked whether the society would consider opening with just the T-bar lift running, Kidston said it has been brought up, however, noted they would still need to hire a general manager.
“It would require a manager who’s licensed to run a lift, even if it isn’t an aerial lift and summer updates to bring it up into compliance.”
sports@wltribune.com
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