Friends, Edmonton Ski Club members, local government, and the neighboring community gathered at the Edmonton Ski Club’s open house.
The open house was an opportunity for the Edmonton Ski Club (ESC) to give recognition to the City of Edmonton and the Government of Alberta for their generous contributions that led to the purchase of a new groomer.
Honoured guests and participants in the open house ceremony included: David Dorward, MLA Edmonton-Goldbar; Stephen Mandell, Mayor of the City of Edmonton; and Linda Cochrane, General Manager, Community Services, City of Edmonton.
“What does the new groomer mean?” said Ken Saunders, President of the Edmonton Ski Club’s Board of Directors in his speech at today’s ceremonies.
“We will have a safer hill as we can now groom the slopes and terrain park to world class levels.”
The reconditioned BR350 groomer purchased from Prinoth is valued at just under $100,000.
The ESC received $48,500 from the Government of Alberta’s Community Initiatives Program and just under $117,000 from the City of Edmonton’s Community Facility Partner Capital Grant Program to purchase the groomer.
A portion of the City of Edmonton’s grant will also be going towards development of a new Master Plan for the ESC to redevelop and reinvigorate the site which has been a part of the Edmonton skiing landscape for over 100 years.
To help move forward on this project, the ESC has hired an architect, Brent Harley & Associates out of Whistler, BC, who have experience developing master plans for ski resorts.
“It’s through these partnerships we will pave the way to a new future, providing outdoor recreation, and a place for friends and families to meet and enjoy our fabulous winters,” said Saunders.
“We are proud and excited to help the Edmonton Ski Club build another century of recreation for all Albertans!”
The ceremony was also an opportunity for the ESC to honour and celebrate the life of Stuart Winkler. Stuart was a former ski jumper, lifetime volunteer of the ESC, and a friend of the local skiing community who passed away unexpectantly this summer. As a memorial to Stuart Winkler he will be rewarded the Salute to Excellence Sport Citation Award from Edmonton Community Services.
For more information visit www.edmontonskiclub.com.