No free ride down the slopes

Affordable skiing in Toronto could be going down hill if a new proposal is approved.

The two Toronto owned ski hills, Scarborough’s Glen Rouge Campground and Etobicoke’s Centennial Park Ski and Snowboard Centre, are losing the city’s money.

Toronto is looking for a private operator to keep both locations open to the public. The private contract would service the hills while the land would still be owned and maintained by the city.

The move many say will increase the price for skiing passes. The “welcome policy” program which allows low-income residents to use both ski hills will no longer be in effective, once privatization hits.

The move also puts 360 part-time jobs at risk, many are seasonal jobs.

According to the 2010 operating budget the move could save the city more than a half a million dollars over the next two years.

Council will make a final decision in mid-April when the budget is approved. If the approval passes

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By: Nadia Persaud
Posted: Mar 5 2010 9:01 pm
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Filed under: News