There weren't too many seats up for grabs Tuesday at Mount Sima's annual general meeting, which was held at the ski hill's lodge.

With the upcoming season approaching, interested individuals had the opportunity to voice their ideas, concerns and ask questions on how things are progressing on the hill.

One of the main concerns is the funding needed to ensure that the hill can open for the 2008-09 season.

The Great Northern Ski Society (GNSS) has requested funding from the Yukon government and hopes to hear back from it sometime early in the coming week.

"It's a little frustrating because we were hoping that we would have heard something from the government, but we have heard something positive from some of the other agencies," said Keith Thaxter, interim president of the GNSS.

"I am feeling positive that something will come out of this in the next few weeks that we will hear something that could secure some funding, but we do have some meetings scheduled and we are looking forward to seeing what comes out of that."

Mount Sima has had all ski operations shutdown since last January as a result of mechanical problems with some of the facility's equipment as well as financial issues.

As a result of the hill closing for the season in January, Mount Sima will honour all of the 2007-08 pass holders for the upcoming year. The total amount value to last year's season pass holders is approximately $70,000

The GNSS, with financial support from the Yukon Government, was able to commission Kirk Duncan for a study on all areas of the hill earlier this year.

The Duncan report addressed the current status of the hill as well as outlined what is needed to reopen for 2008-09.

Duncan, the area manager of the Eaglecrest Ski Hill in Juneau, Alaska, visited Mount Sima in May and evaluated Mount Sima's facility, making suggestions on how to improve things for the upcoming season. The report was commissioned after a two day review of the hill.

Based on recommendations from the Duncan Report, the board has expanded and will now include both elected individuals from the community as well as nominated members from various levels of government and user groups.

The user groups include Parks and Recreation for the City, the Alpine Ski Association of Yukon, the Yukon Freestyle Ski Association, the Canadian Ski Patrol - Yukon Zone, Snowboard Yukon, the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce, the Tourism Industry Association and the Yukon Government.

The current GNSS board was announced at a special meeting held on July 9.

Its 12 members in total include four, who were elected and eight members that were appointed. The former board had nine members.

Since the July meeting, the GNSS board has been working on financial, marketing and human resource planning.

The board has created a multi-year budget and has requested funding from the Yukon Government, the City of Whitehorse and the Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

Presently, the City of Whitehorse is the only body who has provided any relief to the GNSS board. The city has given two grants for a total amount of $55,000.The first donation was made in August for $25,000 and the second was in the amount of $30,000.

The GNSS is using the money to repair the snow making system as well as three lift systems, including the T-bar, chair lift and handle toe. Parts were order from three different suppliers in B.C., Alberta and Washington State.

The GNSS has also contracted two mechanics from Summit Lift Company, which is based out of B.C. In addition to the money, the city has also provided two workers to help out with the repairs.

The mechanics have been working on the hill for the past 10 days from Monday to Saturday and are scheduled to finish by the beginning of October.

The hill is currently waiting to hear back from the Yukon government about the additional funding needed to open.

The T-bar has been repaired, taking seven days to finish. The mechanics have now moved onto working on the chair lift, which was ran at full speed Tuesday without any problems.

Some of the other expenses that need to be paid by the GNSS board include paying the seasonal insurance bill, which will cost more than $30,000 as well as for three full time staff members.

The board hopes to hire an area manager, an outdoor operations manager and a mechanic.

The interview process has begun and the board hopes to secure the funding by the end of September in order to make sure the right people are hired for the job.

Thaxter said a contract for the right area manager could cost between $60,000 to $75,000.

The board hopes to hire someone with around 10 years of experience, who has worked in a larger or similar sized hill.

The manager would also have to be familiar with the marketing process involved in running a ski hill.

The territorial government is meeting before the end of the week and Thaxter said he hopes to hear back from them shortly after.

"We have everything laid out, but without the funding your hands are tied," he said.

"The work is progressing, but we are still waiting and we will continue to keep marketing, keep trying to attract some resources and get things planned. If things do fly I think you can see that there will see some exciting things happening the next year and hopefully some great marketing opportunities and some sponsorship deals will come out of this."

Some of the concerns brought up at Tuesday's meeting included what to do with hills half pipe, which costs a lot to maintain for the season and problems with erosion that the hill faces.

The half pipe was a requirement for the 2007 Canada Winter Games.

John Cleaver, one of the mechanics from Summit Lift, said the erosion problem can be fixed.

"The erosion is the biggest factor I see that has to get resolved," he said. "They can be resolved, but I wouldn't want to see them left for a year or two or else you are going to have real issues."

Cleaver said a backhoe is going to be brought in sometime this week, which will help solve some of the major erosion issues. He also recommended that the half pipe be dropped and the dirt used to prevent against further erosion.

He said he is confident that the hill can open for this season.

"They shouldn't be so negative about trying to find money, you have a huge amount invested here," Cleaver said. "Why would the money not show up to make it carry on? I think it should happen, there is no reason why it shouldn't."

Volunteers that are interest can come out this weekend, starting at 9 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday and help out with brush cutting on the hill.

There will be tools available at Mount Sima, but volunteers have the option of bringing their own as well.