The Similkameen News Leader
Sports Page
SKI ASSOCIATION RECEIVES GRANT
China Ridge Cross-country Ski Association received a $10,000 grant from the Province. The grant will be used to purchase trail grooming equipment.
Application was made to the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch of the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. Similkameen Valley EDO, Michael McLaughlin, completed the application based on information provided by the ski Society.
John Henry, President of the China Ridge Cross County Ski Association, explained that currently it takes ten hours to groom the forty kilometres of ski trails. The Society hopes to purchase a used Snow-Cat. Henry says the 'cat' will reduce grooming time to about three hours. The quality of grooming will be better, and Henry hopes that will mean more people will use and support the trails.
The Ski Society may get some additional help from an unexpected source.
Peter Bueschkens, Manager of Manning Park Lodge, has offered to loan grooming equipment to the China Ridge group. The offer was made at a meeting organized by the EDO between Bueschkens, Princeton CAO Patrick Robins and Upper Similkameen Indian Band manager Philippe Batini.
There is agreement that the China Ridge trails offer an opportunity for first class cross-country skiing for residents and tourists. McLaughlin thinks that China Ridge is one of the top potential tourism resources in the Princeton area.
He explained that Manning Park management knows that a cluster of ski trails will attract more visitors and from further away. That is why they are assisting the Society.
All that is needed now is a trailhead warming shack, some additional signs and a printed trail map. Society members donate hundreds of hours of volunteer work to the trails and are willing to do much of the construction work. Henry is confident they will complete improvements and may seek another grant to do so.
