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County not done with ski hill

Problems with the chalet’s pipes, a slumping parking lot and ownership of two snow guns highlight a laundry list of outstanding issues at the Tawatinaw Valley ski hill.

Problems with the chalet’s pipes, a slumping parking lot and ownership of two snow guns highlight a laundry list of outstanding issues at the Tawatinaw Valley ski hill.

At Westlock County council’s April 12 meeting, councillors reviewed the list of problems at the facility, now known as Pine Valley Resort.

Labelled “ski hill deficiencies” in a briefing from CAO Duane Coleman, the 12-page report identifies bacterial contamination in the chalet’s water lines, outstanding permit approval tied to an unpaid bill, repairs to a snowcat grooming machine and parking lot stabilization as issues that may require municipal funding.

In a recorded vote, councillors voted 5-2 to give Coleman $60,000 with $35,000 earmarked for immediate maintenance and to continue negotiations regarding a pair of ski guns currently owned by the Tawatinaw Valley Advisory Board.

Councillors Ray Marquette and Albert St. Louis voted against the motion.

Repairs include reflushing pipes at the chalet to bring them up to compliance after a failed bacterial testing by Alberta Health Services. The pipes were flushed last year, but left exposed over the winter — reflushing will cost $5,119.

Final construction permits must also be obtained from the architect because of an unpaid invoice from Binder Construction. As well, the chalet parking lot requires stabilization so it can be used during the summer.

DK Consulting has also requested $2,895 for repairs to a snow grooming machine, however the county has countered that it’s not its responsibility to pay that cost.

“It’s a mess,” Coleman said, adding that it would take time for him to dig into and address individual expenses both with Pine Valley and the Tawatinaw Valley Advisory Board.

“I don’t endorse or support any payment, but we have a problem we have to address at some point.”

Last December, Westlock County inked a $2.2 million lease/purchase agreement with DK Consulting for the facility.

The deal includes $18,000 yearly rent to the county and a stipulation that the municipality front 50 per cent of the cost of general repairs and maintenance throughout a three-year rental period prior to the purchase option in 2018.

Reeve Bud Massey said that in 2015, the county allocated $215,000 for repairs at the site. Just over $100,000 of that was meant to be carried over into 2016, but an administrative error tied that money to last year’s budget.

Marquette argued vehemently against the $60,000 repair fund.

“In any lease agreement, natural wear and tear, the lease holder pays for that,” he said.

“You put water through a snowgun, it’s going to wear for your profit.”

Massey countered that any attempts to renege on the maintenance costs might jeopardize the lease agreement.

“You’re not giving me free reign,” Coleman assured councillors after the vote, acknowledging he would take their advisement specific maintenance items.

“Any items, such as equipment purchases, have to come to council.”

Coleman will also negotiate with the Tawatinaw Advisory Board, which has requested $24,000 from the county for a pair of snow guns currently owned by the board — the county has countered with a $15,747 offer.

The advisory board originally raised the funds to purchase the guns through a series of casinos and the ski hill’s subsequent privatization means that money raised must be repaid.

The board, a not-for-profit entity, was created in 2006, when the county regained day-to-day operations of the ski hill.

“We were aware of the assets being held by the advisory board,” reeve Bud Massey said.

“The briefings that we had received in the past were clear.”

The county owns the remaining snow guns at the hill, all of which are used during the winter season to manufacture artificial snow.

“The negotiations are ongoing,” Massey said.

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