Greater Sudbury’s Lively Ski Hill may get one more season

The fate of the Lively Ski Hill will be decided at next week's city council meeting in Greater Sudbury.

The fate of the Lively Ski Hill shown in this file photo will be decided at next week's city council meeting in Greater Sudbury on August 13, 2024. (CTV News Northern Ontario/File)

A motion to reconsider aims to give the community one more year to show council they want the hill to remain open.

• Want more Sudbury news? Check out its local news page

Back in July, a report stated the lift at the Lively hill should be removed from service before it sustains a catastrophic breakdown, or causes a safety incident. and, that the chalet also needs substantial work which could cost over $395,000.

“We just couldn't ignore the low utilization rates and how much it costs the taxpayers to keep the hill going,” said Ward 9 councillor Deb Mcintosh.

“We determined that we would refer the report to council.”

Deb McIntosh is the Greater Sudbury city councillor for Ward 9 and the chair of the city's Finance and Administration Committee. (City of Greater Sudbury)

• Download the CTV News app now

Councillors Mcintosh and Lapierre will present a motion for reconsideration on Tuesday that if passed would see the hill continue for the 2024-25 season but with adjustments to user fees to facilitate cost recovery, repurposing the platter tow ropeway currently located at the now-closed Capreol ski hill and the chalet refurbishment funds would be held pending review of usage.

“Just to see that the community genuinely wants this hill and they want to use this hill, there is no point in spending a whole lot of money on refurbishing things if this is not what the community wants,” said McIntosh.

Matt Foy’s father helped build Lively Ski Hill and he told CT V News that he is very pleased that it’s been given another chance.

“It's up to the community now,” he said.

“It gives us a chance to prove that this hill is definitely worthy to keep running.”

If passed the motion also states that staff be directed to issue an expression of interest to determine if there is a third-party operator out there willing to take on the hill following this season.

“The hill was initially run that way,” said Foy.

“It was run by a group of volunteers. I think with the right group of people potentially, that it could go towards that sort of thing being run by a committee and fundraising – because it happens. Espanola their hill does it that way. I believe Elliot Lake does it that way, Sault Ste Marie does it that way and I do believe Mattawa also.”

• Get local breaking news alerts
• Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox

Should the city decide to cease operating the hill, the almost four hundred thousand dollars approved for the chalet refurbishments would be earmarked for new recreational opportunities in the Livley/Walden area – in addition to the $4 million dollars currently set aside from the sale of Meatbird park.

The City council meeting is scheduled for Aug. 13 at 1 p.m.