Ski Heritage East Secures Seed Funding and Grooming Begins!
By:  Team XC   (2018/01/04)

If you groom it the will come!

On Thursday January, 4th at 11:42 the NCC official land access to groom the Ottawa River pathaway was received and at 11:45 Lafleur de la Capitale was doing just that.

With an initial grant from the City of Ottawa for $15k, grooming of an 8 km groomed trail along the Ottawa River from Green’s Creek to Trim Road has begun. This trail is similar to the SJAM in that its multi-use and open to all: skiers, walkers, fat bikers and snow shoers, etc..

The trail differs from the SJAM in that it hasn't invested in its own trail grooming equipment, and has no dedicated volunteer groomers.  They are contracting the grooming and equipment maintenace to Lafleur de la Capitale, the company formerly responsible for grooming the Gatineau Park.

SKI HERITAGE EAST the a non-profit volunteer community group in Orléans that is working to establish the multi-use winter recreational trail along the banks of the Ottawa River.  

About the trail..

• It will stretch from Green's Creek to Trim Road and be open from January to end of season.
  
  
• This trail will appeal to and be easily accessible to children, families, and residents of all ages.
  
  
• Multiple points of entry along the trail will provide easy access without leaving the Orleans community.
  
  
• This is an investment in a winter recreational parkway for Orleans that will allow year round use of a very beautiful part of our community.
  
  
• This professionally groomed trail will facilitate skate and classic skiing, snowshoeing, fat-tire cycling as well as walking.

THE FUNDING CHALLENGE

• The City has provided some start up funding so that trail preparation can begin this January, 2018.
  
  
• Ski Heritage East is counting on your help to be able to raise funds for continued grooming and trail maintenance throughout the season.
  
  
 
• https://www.gofundme.com/help-groom- the-trail
  
  
• Financial support from the community will also help persuade government and the private sector to chip in on an initiative that will cost $40k a year to operate.
  
  

Will it really cost $40k?

Grooming ski trails isn't cheap. It requires specialized equipment, many liters of fuel and the salary of a qualified groomer. The cost of regular grooming, 3 times a week for 13 weeks (beginning in January and running until the end of March is roughly $25k.

The additional cost to get to $40k would be to bring in larger equipment to breakup ice caused by freezing rain or freeze thaws that often plague Ottawa winters. One rain storm could ruin the trail for months, so as a contingency in the budget an allowance was made for trucking in big equipment should it be required... and the money be available.

We hope we can count on your support and look forward to seeing you and your family on the Trail this Winter!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/skiheritage.orleans.ontario/