Press Release - December 1, 2014 As of 2:01 pm today (when bids were opened by Parks Canada for the tender to remove the 3 ski lifts at Agassiz) Mount Agassiz Ski Area is pretty well deemed history. We had NEVER seen Parks Canada act on anything so quickly, callously, recklessly, self-serving and in non-compliant to its own rules says Kelly Rose, of Agassiz Mountain Development Group. Further, outside of any known Parks Canada budget available. The ski area was supposed to be dismantled immediately if there had been a successful proponent to redevelop the ski area. Without a successful proponent there was no need to act quickly and Parks Canada offered it could then be years to have the extensive expense in their budget. Several communities are seeking Access to Information to understand what prompted any requirement to have the ski area completely dismantled of what were challenged to be the assets of a secured creditor. We feel these are the public assets that this same public is paying to have sent to scrap. Bad business entrusted by the taxpayer to an government agency that clearly believes it is an entity beyond accountability. Ironically, the group (Agassiz Mountain Development Group) that for over 7 years advocated the redevelopment of Agassiz and was the sole proponent in a recent proposal process, felt the only means remaining to salvage any further possibility to reconstruct Manitobas iconic ski area was to bid in its destruction. In that it appears the bid was not the lowest (although we concisely bid at what would be the cost to any contractor), we cant salvage what is left of the ski resort. We cannot liken this to the travesty that occurred in the creation of this recreational National Park during whereas First Nations people were being forcibly displaced (dragged) by the government as they turned to watch their homes being burned. Yet, we can liken it to RMNPs rapport or any opportunity for trust, cooperation or even communication with its neighbors - the communities and its citizens. Only two National Parks in Canada border agricultural farm land...many in the Parklands wish they did not have RMNP as its neighbor. It is an end to an era for skiing at Manitobas iconic ski area; as it may be the end of any relationship or partnering Parks Canada hoped to develop with its surrounding communities. Can we spell shock, disbelief...shame. I once again thank our media friends and partners for standing firm with us for the betterment of our province,
Posted on: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 12:59:08 +0000
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