By MARIE CLARKE
Greater Sudbury – The re-opening of Adanac Ski Hill has not been a disappointment to the City of Greater Sudbury.
During its 78-day season, the hill saw an average of more than 150 skiers and snowboarders a day and made $160,000 in revenues from lift tickets alone. This is a significant increase from the $68,000 made in 2003.
About 25 schools from the Sudbury area visited the hill last winter.
A “surprising” number of people took up interest in ski or snowboard lessons, adding another $65,000 in lesson fees and equipment rentals to Adanac’s coffers, according to Mayor David Courtemanche.
He added that local athletics stores also benefited from the hill’s re-opening, reporting an increase of 25-50 per cent in ski and snowboard equipment sales.
There were many groups involved in the effort to get the hill running again. Courtemanche thanked the Adanac Ski Patrol, the Adanac Citizens’ Committee, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Sudbury and the Friends of Adanac group.
“The re-opening of Adanac Ski Hill has truly been a community effort,” said Courtemanche.
“The success the hill has experienced this year is evidence of this community’s commitment to its youth and to physical activity.”
More improvements to the hill will be made next winter. The current chalet is only temporary, as a new and more appropriate sized building will be constructed. A carpet lift, basically a conveyor belt for children that aren’t ready for the chair lift, will also be installed for the coming winter.
Luckily for the city, the weather for outdoor activities was good this winter and definitely aided in the success of the newly re-opened ski hill. The season started before the Christmas holiday and stretched beyond the March Break, something that Courtemanche admits factored heavily in the hill’s success.
All the same, new snow making technology will be an investment for next season, allowing the city to create snow at much warmer temperatures, which in turn allows for a longer ski and snowboard season.
However, winter season sports aren’t the only thing being improved at Adanac Ski Hill.
In 1998, the idea of Adanac Park was first discussed. The park could include a playground, picnic area, fire pit, mountain biking routes and other activities.
A trail system is already in the works and will, in time, connect New Sudbury to the Flour Mill and will link to the Trans-Canada Trail.
The city is also looking into the construction of a large pond to add to the scenic value of the area. Come the winter season it would be groomed and cared for, creating an outdoor skating rink.
A soccer field complex may also be added. The possibility of converting the nearby Barrydowne Arena into an indoor soccer complex has also been kicked around.
Adanac Ski Hill was reopened on Dec. 23, 2005.
It created approximately 40 part-time jobs for students in the City of Greater Sudbury over the course of the 2005-06 ski season.
www.greatersudbury.ca
http://mysudbury.ca/tourism/winterfun/adanacskihill
