Whitehorse Daily Star

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FUTURE UP IN THE AIR – The WildPlay adventure course at Mount Sima had another money-losing summer, leaving its future in the Yukon capital in doubt.

Ski hill viable under right circumstances: former GM

A tumultuous fiscal year for Mount Sima ended with the Whitehorse ski hill recording a surplus.

By Marcel Vander Wier on October 10, 2014

A tumultuous fiscal year for Mount Sima ended with the Whitehorse ski hill recording a surplus.

Don Wilson, general manager of the hill’s operations last season, said the facility had about $101,000 in the bank at its year-end in June.

“There was still some bills coming in for repairs to one of the Snowcats and there’s ongoing expenses, so to say that was pure profit is not correct,” Wilson explained today. “But they did end up with that in the bank account at the end of the fiscal year.”

Last year, Mount Sima welcomed more than 21,000 visitors, according to Wilson’s calculations.

But the hill’s success remains susceptible to weather. Last season’s snowfall was dismal, he said.

“Like anything else, it needs community support,” said Wilson. “It’s a well-used and worthwhile facility.... It’s a viable operation, given the right set of circumstances.”

Wilson had been involved with Sima since it opened, and agreed to manage the hill last year, noting its impending closure would have had long-lasting repercussions.

“If the hill had closed, even for a year, it would be extremely difficult and more expensive to get it open,” he said.

“I come from a small town in Manitoba where the hill closed and they’ve been trying to open it for 15 years. It’s a frustrating exercise.”

Cindy Chandler is the new general manager of the hill.

The Friends of Mount Sima held their annual general meeting at the hill’s Last Run Lounge Wednesday.

Group president Laurie Henderson said about 50 people attended the evening session, and four new members were added to last year’s board membership of five.

“People are interested and want to help, so that’s great,” she said.

“I think everybody’s feeling quite positive. The turnout at the AGM was really supportive of that.”

Meanwhile, the financial surplus incurred by the hill helped pay for summer staff and fall preparations, she said.

“We’re ahead of where we were last summer,” Henderson added.

“Running a ski hill is an expensive proposition. We were very successful last year.

“Our success is going to depend upon that continued community support – whether that’s from government or sponsors, businesses and members. Long-standing operation of the hill is tied 150 per cent to the level of community support.”

The board hopes the hill will be ready to open by Dec. 5.

Meanwhile, the future of the WildPlay adventure course that operates on-site during the summer isn’t so bright.

Rich Thompson, CEO of Northern Vision Development, one of the investors in the facility, said there are still a couple of options on the table for the Monkido course that lost money this summer.

“If it were to operate like it did this summer, it wouldn’t be in business very long,” he told the Star. “It falls now on the investor group to look to whether they can recoup their investment by selling off the asset perhaps.

“There’s still a debate going on as to whether that’s the most sensible approach or not,” said Thompson. “But certainly I would say that’s a logical alternative.”

Continuing to operate it under an alternate model for profit is also an option, he said.

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