The Dakota Ridge Winter Recreation Area is receiving a $270,443 grant through the province's 2010 Olympic/Paralympic live site program. The funds match contributions of $220,000 from the regional district, $29,000 from the federal Western Economic Diversification funds and $220,000 from the Dakota Ridge Winter Recreation Society. The project's total capital budget is $541,834.
The area won't be ready for skiers this winter but should be open for business next fall for the 2006/07 winter season. Construction crews have been clearing trails and building parking lots, according to regional district parks and recreation manager Randy Udahl. In the next week, 10 km of trail will be complete, Udahl said. Staff will contact the Ministry of Forests to see if it will designate Dakota Ridge as an official forest recreation site and assist with road access at the top four km. The equipment building still needs approval from Land and Water B.C.
The Sunshine Coast Regional District will be seeking citizens to sit on a Dakota Ridge winter recreation area advisory committee in late November or early December. Udahl expects the committee to be formed by early January.
The committee would advise the board on the site's "financial plan/yearly budget, policies and procedures, operating issues, five-year plan and operating and capital funding aspects," according to Udahl's report at the Oct. 20 SCRD community services committee meeting. The report recommends four members of the public and two members of the Dakota Ridge Winter Recreation Society sit on the committee.
According to Chief Stan Dixon, the Sechelt Indian Band council would like to see a band member on the advisory committee because the committee will be a key player in running the winter recreation area's operations and maintenance. The Band is planning to contribute a totem pole at the top of the cross-country start.
