North Bay City Councillor Tanya Vrebosch and Mayor Peter Chirico are extending discussions about the City of North Bay's financial support of Laurentian Ski Hill from the council's chambers and in-camera meeting room to social media.
At the culmination of Tuesday's regular meeting, the council voted in favour of — as it had one year prior — subsidizing Laurentian Ski Hill for its upcoming season with up to an additional $100,000. The move had previously been approved by the council in July with the dollar figure to be determined.
"This is a one-year operational subsidy as we work into a transition plan to take over the hill," said Chirico in October 2023. "The North Bay–Mattawa Conservation Authority will have to divest themselves of [Laurentian Ski Hill] due to legislation ... We know that this is an economic development tool we utilize day in and day out within our city. Having a ski hill in operation for our kids is no different than an arena, ballpark or soccer field."
See related: City gives Laurentian Ski Hill a lift — eyes takeover from NBMCA
In September 2023, amid fears the ski hill would not be able to operate, the council agreed to the initial (up to) $100,000 in funding. It was hoped a financial report on a deal to bring Laurentian Ski Hill under the municipal umbrella would be ready for council perusal before a decision on extending the subsidy agreement had to be made this year but time was again a factor.
See also: Season up in the air at Laurentian Ski Hill
Following an in-camera session, Coun. Sara Inch seconded a Vrebosch motion to refer the matter back to the committee level but it received no support from around the table. Vrebosch has said publicly that, while she remains a supporter of Laurentian Ski Hill, she has trouble voting for the $100,000 subsidy without all of the financial details.
"Some people will say I had the opportunity to go and ask all of the questions I wanted, however, if the City is giving money to an organization, there usually is a report that details the business plan or the budget," Vrebosch said. "I feel that we've had a year to be given something or anything. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with the ski hill but I'm doing my due diligence. There is not enough information for me to support this tonight."
See Vrebosch's full remarks and the vote in the video below:
In a post-meeting social media post, Vrebosch expanded on her viewpoint. "I have been asked twice to give $100K of money without any report to council with details or a budget. My issue was that we did not have a report with these details for the second time in a row. To do my due diligence, this information should be provided to council to make an informed decision.
"If the ski hill isn't sustainable, then a conversation should be had as to what is required ... My issue is that there has been no staff report with any details. There also isn't a budget posted on the ski hill site that I could review on my own.
"Concerns were raised last October but Council was not given an opportunity to find answers and we were told if we delayed spending the money the ski hill would close. We were backed into a corner."
See: Laurentian Ski Hill receives funding, launches strategic plan
Mayor Chirico responded with what he called a "simple answer" to the post on Coun. Vrebosch's Facebook page.
"No change from the discussion of the July 9 meeting. The councillor had from the meeting in July until the meeting [Tuesday] night to ask those questions. My office was not approached. Homework not done or not understood. Direction from Council to review possible ski hill divestment from NBMCA ... needed to be done and will take some time and negotiations for possible transfer. The funding is to ensure [LSH] completes this fiscal year and is in full operation this year while the sale/transfer is finished with due diligence. Transparency is not an issue but some Councillors just don't get the answers they want and feel they are right."
The North Bay–Mattawa Conservation Authority levies the City of North Bay for specific costs associated with the capital holdings and operating needs of Laurentian Ski Hill. Annual contributions include $65,000 from 10 member municipalities for the upkeep of the fixed LSH capital assets owned by NBMCA. The City of North Bay's share is approximately 79 per cent of that $65,000 or just over $51,000.
The City of North Bay also contributes $60,000 for operating expenses. The subsidy of up to $100,000 for 2023-24 and now 2024-25 is in addition to the recurring $60,000 in the operating budget. The City of North Bay's operational subsidy arrangement with the NBMCA has helped to support the LSH operations for approximately 10 years. Laurentian Ski Hill attracts 35,000 visitors annually, generating $ 4.7 million in GDP and employs over 70 people with a volunteer base of over 100.
The City of North Bay and NBMCA have a history going back 50 years of collaboration on land management and development as well as natural resource planning approvals. NBMCA owns the land and assets that the Laurentian Ski Hill Snowboarding Club operates on. The NBMCA took over the operations of Laurentian Ski Hill in the late 1990s and the operations were then transferred to Laurentian Ski Hill Snowboarding Club Inc. in the early 2000s.
Vrebosch further expressed her frustration with, "I feel uncomfortable more times than I would like this term and I would like to stop feeling this way. When it comes to transparency, this has been one of the hardest terms of council I have sat on. I used to be able to ask questions and get answers whereby I could walk away and feel good about it and confident about making votes and going to the citizens with answers. I don't feel that way anymore."
