After cutting it from the 2013 budget, Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) directors are taking a second look at the Dakota Ridge ski trail expansion project.
Directors agreed to revisit the project after a delegation of Dakota Ridge volunteers attended the April 11 community services committee meeting to clarify the scope of the work.
Speaking for the volunteers, Dakota Ridge advisory committee chair Peg Neilon said the project will not require the SCRD to replace its snow groomer or have a major impact on operating costs or staff time, as some of the existing trails will be decommissioned under the plan.
"The trails as they are today were designed from the perspective of satisfying the needs of racers," making them less popular for general skiers and "less conducive to skills development," Neilon said.
The new trails will be easier to ski on, as well as easier and faster to groom, she said. "So there'll be a net reduction of existing trail, and there may be some small increase in operating time, but we don't think it will be as large as had been presented" to the board during budget discussions.
The trail expansion project has been the group's number one priority, she said, "and we were really surprised to hear back, after the budget process, about this being deferred and the reasons for that."
Directors thanked the delegation for providing a clearer picture of the project and passed a motion asking staff to report back on the feasibility of proceeding this year with the funding.
The group had asked the board last fall for the green light to undertake the project, but directors opted to stick to their original timetable and consider it during this year's budget process. The $15,000 budget for the project reflects the enormous volunteer labour contribution, said Sam Adams, the SCRD's parks planning coordinator.
"The project was estimated at $50,000 to start off with -$5,000 a kilometre. Now we've got this huge volunteer crew. There'll be hundreds and hundreds of hours of volunteer time to help us out with this work, and that's where the huge savings is," Adams said.
The trail expansion project is part of the Dakota Ridge business plan and is intended to attract more visitors. With the new trail system in place, Adams said, "a good skier will be able to ski for two days" at the site.
"Ninety per cent of skiing takes place on easier trails, and that's what we're proposing to develop," he said.
If the project is approved for this year, Adams said he expects the work will take place during the late summer or fall.
