While summer may have finally arrived on the Coast, Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) staff are already planning for Dakota Ridge's winter season.
On July 27, staff held an open house for community members to offer feedback on the recreational facility. After the success and record-breaking attendance during the 2010/11 season, staff are hoping to make this year's cross-country skiing and snowshoeing season even more successful while addressing on-going operational issues.
Carleen McDowell, manager of SCRD parks, facilitated the meeting alongside Sam Adams, SCRD parks planning co-ordinator. They explained a business plan is currently in the works that aims to look at alternative revenue sources as well as gauging public interest.
Both McDowell and Adams placed an emphasis on the importance of marketing the facility, but conceded there are challenges.
"Snow culture is not something that is readily subscribed to here on the Coast," McDowell said.
She addressed other challenges facing the facility including road maintenance, reliance on volunteers and dependency on weather.
Michael McLaughlin of Best Coast Initiatives, an economic development agent for the SCRD, also spoke at the well-attended meeting. He asked for public feedback on facility improvements and increase in use.
While a variety of answers and suggestions were provided, ranging from better trail design, parking fee implementation, installation of a ticket booth and more shuttle options, road access and maintenance stood out as the biggest concerns amongst attendees. The road suffers from large potholes and can be challenging for those who do not have four-wheel-drive vehicles.
In addition, McLaughlin asked attendees what they would like to see in a communications plan as well as the type of public information made available. Nearly everyone agreed on making sure accurate daily snowfall and mountain conditions are readily available, through radio, television or online.
Although many different ideas were expressed, attendees shared a similar vision to SCRD staff in repeating the facility's previous successful season.
As for the next steps, Adams said the open house was positive and staff would take the feedback into consideration while they develop the business plan.
"We have a long history of information, studies, reports and operations that we can all draw on, as well as this feedback and anything else that might come up," Adams said.
While the SCRD is examining the possibility of using funds from independent power projects to fund Dakota Ridge improvements, Adams said any upgrades will be contingent on what transpires from the business plan.
As for the plan, Adams said they're looking to have a draft version ready by the end of September, moving onto a final plan by October or November.
