Deadline coming soon for proposals for redevelopment of Mount Agassiz ski area in RMNP
- Details
- Published on Friday, May 23, 2014
By: Lanny Stewart
myWestman.ca
The future of the Mount Agassiz Ski Hill will be determined later this summer.
The deadline to submit proposals to redevelop the ski area, located in Riding Mountain National Park, is next Friday. The request for proposals was made open approximately nine months ago by Parks Canada.
The RFP, which was issued on Aug. 29, 2013, was considered the "the first step to reopen Mount Agassiz Ski Area in RMNP for a sustainable winter or multi-season operation," states the Parks Canada website. An RFP is usually open for three to four months, but due to this project being larger in scale, Parks Canada opted to give potential interested parties more time to put together proposals.
According to a story written by Graeme Bruce of the Brandon Sun (published May 17), only one proposal at that time had been submitted, which Bruce writes, is "raising questions about what Parks Canada may do with the land if there’s only one plan put forward and it isn’t accepted."
Roger Schroeder, external relations manager for RMNP and Parks Canada, stated in an email to myWestman.ca on Friday, that following the deadline, submitted proposals will then be reviewed within 120 days in accordance to the evaluation process defined in the RFP [Request For Proposals].
If no proposals meet the qualifications, Schroeder writes they are "committed to exploring new opportunities for engaging visitors and developing innovative recreational activities in our national parks while maintaining ecological integrity."
Schroeder continued by stating, "Parks Canada will review the situation and determine ways of engaging local communities and stakeholders in discussions about future options for the Mt. Agassiz site in the context of the East Escarpment Strategy."
A Mount Agassiz feasibility study was released January 2012 by Parks Canada determining that reopening the ski hill is not likely financially viable due to limited markets, competition from existing ski hills and high capital/operating costs.
However, Parks Canada believes there is "strong" interest among some stakeholders in regards to reopening the site.
"They would like the chance to assess the opportunities, risks and requirements to develop and operate a sustainable operation at Agassiz," states Parks Canada.
The ski hill was first established in 1958 on the east escarpment of RMNP and would open to the public in 1961. It would eventually close in 2000.
A final decision on the project is expected in August.
