Prince George city council will be providing a letter of support for the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club's application to expand, despite some local opposition.
The club is planning to apply to the provincial government for an expansion of its licence of occupation area of the Otway Nordic Centre, located at 8141 Otway Road.
Jim Burbee, Caledonia Nordic Ski Club director, attended Monday night’s council meeting to ask for a letter of support for the expansion to accompany the club’s submission to the provincial government.
He said they have identified an equivalent area of land on the west side of Cranbrook Hill that is the only remaining Crown land that is adjacent to the Otway Nordic Centre.
He said the proposed use is to expand the ski trail network and offset the incremental loss of ski trails located on private land.
“CNSC club is growing and the land base is shrinking,” said Burbee. “The obligation of the CNSC board is to acquire adequate amounts of suitable land to meet its mandate. It is as simple as that.”
The club has already received a letter of support from the Lheildi T'enneh.
However, there has been some opposition and concerns about to the request in the form of letters sent to council by club members and neighbours in Miworth. The issues raised include concerns over conservation of the area and fire safety.
“I know you had some letters about cutting trees and fire safety and we are going to address that but not before we even apply,” said Burbee, regarding the concerns.
“This application is going to the provincial government and they have their own process and they do their own outreach for that. We have our own outreach as well but that is normally done once we know what we are doing with that land. Once we have a plan in place that is the time to do it.”
Coun. Susan Scott asked for more information on the club’s interactions with community members who are concerned.
“It comes from a small segment of the club and their outreach to people who are also conservation minded. When we have a plan we will do more outreach but at this point it is for the government to take care of,” said Brubee.
“I know when I listened to some of the other folks about your group taking this land I appreciate their concerns but this development and what your ski club has done and how it has put Prince George on the global map I think is absolutely incredible and I would rather see this kind of development than any other kind of development,” said Coun. Brian Skakun, who then moved that council write a letter of support for the club.
“We have heard comments about protecting the green space, but in your words, this is similar to a park in a way to protect that area. The fact that it would increase a beloved facility in our community is that much sweeter,” added Coun. Cori Ramsay.
“This is the first step in that process, and more steps to follow, but the first step is to ask the question.”
Coun. Tim Bennett said he appreciated additional information about the consultation process.
“That is probably the biggest piece of feedback as councillors that we received is from members who felt they weren’t consulted and had more questions than answers to at that point.”
The motion to write a letter of support for Caledonia Nordic Ski Club’s application was unanimously approved.
