ST. PAUL – The County of St. Paul denied several funding requests from the Lakeland Cross Country Ski Club (LCCSC) during the Public Works meeting on Oct. 22, citing budgetary constraints.
LCCSC’s manages cross country ski trails in the St. Paul area, including trails at the Westcove Municipal Recreation Area (WMRA) and at the St. Paul Golf Course.
The LCCSC recently asked the County to help fund time-sensitive work that needs to be done ahead of the winter season, specifically mulching and rough cutting of new trails that were set up last year ,which would cost $2,800; ordering and installation of new trail signage for $2,900; groomer access for $1,500; and a $300 Nordic Pulse subscription.
The total cost of the request amounted to $7,500, which raised some concerns among council members.
“I find this estimated value – high,” said Coun. Maxine Fodness.
Coun. Darrell Younghans agreed, before asking what would happen if the new trails don’t get mulched.
CAO Jason Wallsmith said if there is not enough snow this winter, there will be trees sticking up through the snow, which could become a potential issue for users of the trails.
Coun. Dale Hedrick asked whether the County should consider using a rough-cut mower to go over the trails during the summer months. He suggested this could help keep the vegetation down and maintain the trails, rather than having to do the more extensive and costly mulching and brush cutting work right before the winter season.
Wallsmith said the County has no rough-cut mower that could handle the type of vegetation that grows on the trails.
Coun. Kevin Wirsta also sought clarification on the word, asking, “Can I just be clear that we don’t have the equipment to facilitate trails?”
Wallsmith affirmed, explaining the County does not have a heavy-duty rough-cut mower.
“Given our budgetary restraints, right now, this is just too much for me,” said Younghans.
While there was a willingness to work with the LCCSC to figure out another way to make the trails usable, the proposed method and costs were not agreeable to Younghans. He made a motion to deny the $7,500 worth of funding requests, and directed administration to go back to LCCSC to discuss cheaper alternatives to ensure ski trails are usable for the ski season. The motion was carried.
In a separate item, council also briefly discussed the renewal of its three-year term Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with the ski club. The agreement focuses on developing the Westcove area as an Alberta Nordic ski tourist destination.
Fodness made a motion to direct administration to have further discussions with the ski club, and for the County to have a more active role in shaping the agreement. The motion was carried.
