The volunteer task force which assessed annual grant applications on behalf of city hall is recommending the city handle the Mount Sima ski hill application directly.

The task force did recognize the value provided by the facility and the hard work by the volunteers of the Great Northern Ski Society who help run the hill, says a report presented to city council at its standing committee meeting Tuesday night.

"However, the scope of the society's request ($60,900) is beyond what can be funded through the recreation grant process," the report points out. "The task force recommends the city explore alternative options."

Funding the request, the report notes, would have had significant impact on the other applications.

The task force is recommending city council approve $157,130 in grants. City council is scheduled to vote on the recommendation at its regular meeting Monday.

From the $95,000 available this year in the Municipal Facility/Park Enhancement Fund, the task force recommended the approval of all four applications, for a total of $94,000:

• $13,000 to the Guild Society to assist with operation and maintenance costs;

• $44,000 to the MacBride Museum Society to pay a heritage programmer;

• $7,000 to the Old Log Church Museum for its community outreach program; and

• $30,000 to the Yukon Transportation Museum for operation and maintenance.

The task force also recommended the approval of $63,130 in spring recreational grants. With the exception of the ski society request, all 19 applications were approved, though not necessarily for the full amounts applied for.

Recreation grants vary in size, from the low of $505 recommended for the Velonorth Cycling Club to buy safety equipment, to a high of $8,000 to the Yukon Art Society for its recreational/educational arts program.

If council approves the $63,130 in spring grants, there would still be $66,000 in the pot to fund applications received for the fall session of recreation grants.

While supportive of Mount Sima and its volunteers, the task force questioned how the non-profit society let the ski hill slide so far into trouble this past winter without raising concerns earlier about their financial problems, says the report to city council.

The task force recommended the ski society develop a sound management plan.

With such a plan, says the report, the task force would be more inclined to support future applications.

The ski society is taking steps to re-organize, and has sought the assistance of the Yukon government, the city and the general public to develop a sustainable management plan.

It announced recently that approximately $200,000 will be needed to make repairs and provide for initial operating capital next winter.

Mount Sima closed early this winter after just three days of operation, following a series of problems and some equipment failures.

It has planned a major meeting with its users for 7 p.m. April 29 at the Sima ski chalet.

The society has promised to honour season passes and punch cards next season if Sima opens, but said it cannot provide any reimbursements for students and others who are leaving the territory for school or work.

The ski society has asked the city for $14,760 to cover the chairlift maintenance and inspection; $13,880 for maintenance and repairs on the snowmaking system; $12,260 to cover the

T-bar maintenance and inspection; and $20,000 for operations manuals.

A couple of members of city council acknowledged the value of the volunteer task force in reviewing the grants applications and making its recommendations to council.

Of the nine members on the task force, the six who participated in the spring assessment were: Ron McFadyen, Jan Koepke, Al Loewen, for city councillor Duke Connelly, Anne Morgan and Rose Prefontaine.