It’s a winter staple in Edmonton’s river valley, but this year the Edmonton Ski Club needs your help to keep skiers on the hills.
The Club is turning to the public for donations to help them kick off the winter ski season.
Officials will take part in the Edmonton Ski and Snowboard Show at the Edmonton Expo Centre Oct. 22 & 23 hoping to raise money by selling used winter sport equipment.
“The ski swap has traditionally raised between $15,000 and $20,000 for the organization,” Ken Saunders, executive director of Edmonton Ski Club, said. “It’s a very important amount of money to get us out of the gates and making snow, advertising, a lot of that money will go towards bringing out disadvantaged kids or school groups that can’t afford an entire day of skiing- we try and subsidize that.”
The Club is collecting gently used donated equipment, as well as consignment goods and monetary donations to sell at the show.
The money raised will help keep the doors open at Edmonton’s oldest ski hill.
READ MORE: Edmonton Ski Club needs $1.3 million from city or could cease operating
In September, the Club asked city council for a $1.3 million cash injection to continue operating over the next five years.
The Club said it requires $388,000 to run the hill this winter.
“We’re adding staff, bringing out some new rental equipment so we can bring our larger school groups and new user groups- so this really a kick off to winter and a kick off for our operation,” Saunders said.
On September 26th, the City’s Community and Public Services Committee decided in favour of providing $388,000 in emergency funding to keep the Edmonton Ski Club open this winter.
READ MORE: City committee in favour of giving Edmonton Ski Club emergency funding
Support on the committee level was unanimous. The five-year plan will be considered by all of city council during budget deliberations that start in November.
According to an executive summary that was submitted to the city, the funding is necessary so the club “does not cease to operate” while the city develops the master plan for Gallagher Park, which has forced it to slow down plans for expansion.
The ski hill operates from November to March, sees between 15,000 and 32,000 skiers per season, and expects to see skier visits increase five to 10 per cent every year.
“Despite this growth, the facility is rapidly approaching the end of its usable life because upgrades are required,” the report reads.
Another holdup is the Valley Line LRT planning.
The Valley Line LRT is expected to run through the ski hill, which officials with the Club say will force them to relocate ski lifts and towers as well as reshape runs that will be shortened by the construction.
Donations can be dropped off at the Edmonton Ski Club Office, 9613 96 Ave NW, between 9 a.m. And 6 p.m. daily until Thursday this week.
“The Edmonton Ski Club is a non-profit organization and fundraising always has been and always will be an integral part of getting the season started for us,” Saunders added.
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