July,, 2008

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Re: East Escarpment Recreation Area (Agassiz Resort Development)

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am heartened to see the McCreary & District Economic Development Board attempt to resurrect the Agassiz Ski Hill as an all season experience.

While in operation Agassiz had a significant impact on the regional economy, employment and culture. Local businesses reaped the benefits of serving people who were coming and going to the ski hill. The ski area employed numerous local people over the years. Children from surrounding communities enhanced their physical fitness and learned the life skill of skiing in school programs. The mingling of rural and urban people produced friendships and promoted a more open society. Tourists, professionals and active retirees were attracted by the recreation opportunities and settled in the area.

The greatest vertical drop and the longest lift serviced runs between Thunder Bay and the Alberta/Saskatchewan border still exist at Mt. Agassiz. The footprint for the ski area remains in the national park. Although the existing infrastructure is in disrepair, with some effort, the buildings can be refurbished; runs groomed and lift lines utilized. According to Mr. Jim Buckingham, Ski Area Consultant, Mt. Agassiz has advantages over all other ski areas on the Canadian prairies in the nature of the terrain quality.

I find it unfortunate that the Agassiz site was not purchased by a group willing to operate the area while the lease was active. Now that the lease is void I invite Parks Canada and the federal government to reconsider the management decision to rehabilitate the ski area. I suggest working with the citizens of McCreary & District to rebuild an area critical to the economy and life of surrounding communities.

Sincerely,

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