_Andrew Rushton: it gives our ‘kids something useful to do. "TERRACE — Every. ski en- - thusiast in the area has been waiting for the Shames Moun- tain ski development for some -time now. Some have been pa- ‘tient while: others have been . critical, even on the smallest issues. But there will be skiing at ‘Shames sometime in the.not-too- distant future, and the Terrace Review recently talked to. one _ that opinion. Martin Kimble,~ one of the developers involved in the Mount Allan site at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Alber- - ta visited Shames and said exact- ly the same thing. “‘Shames has . really good potential. It may not be world class but is certainly a first class regional hill. The. groundwork has been done and - Rushton. When all four phases have been completed, Rushton says the hill will offer a six month skiing season, about a month longer than most others, and a vertical drop of just over 3,100 - feet which is about the same.as local skier -who asks everyone to. - ‘wait patiently. The wait will be ‘well worth, it, he says, and developers can, work more - quickly and efficiently if they ‘don’t have, to Suard Against. trivial critics.: Andrew Rushton was born - and raised in Terrace and has . been a part of the competitive ‘ski world since 1975.-In 1980 he entered FIS competition and in more recent years has worked at a number of ski facilities in the Prince George area.and the Lower Mainland as a ski instruc- tor and ski programs | _ coordi- -nator for both adult and school aged novices, He has also skied a. ‘number of B.C. facilities, and. the Panaroma and Tod Moun- tain developments. By compari- son, he says the vertical drop at Hudson Bay Mountain is only 1,000 feet and that development has gone as far as ‘it physically | can, But there’s more to the re- ‘ward of patiently waiting for a ' ski hill that's close to home. . There’s the value of school based ski programs and a worth- -while recreational activity for our youth, And there’s the fi-. ‘nancial impact on both the busi-_ ness community in Terrace and: the pocket book of the skier. _ He says for the business com- * munity, a major ski deviopment Means a year round tourist sea- son. Using the impact of Hud- — son Bay Mountain at Smithers _as an example, Rushton explains * just how great this impact could after looking at the potential of “Shames Mountain says it will rank among _ the best:. Rushton says. the project ‘has been. well planned by Ecosign— Mountain Recreation - Planners.- of Whistler, B. C: and their four" phase: plan will: insure. a facility that will'be rated as: one of the: "best ‘regional hills in B.C. And: : Rushton says he’s not alone it be. About 50,000 ski visits per season will generate through direct and indirect money about $8 inillion dollars. A report from the ski corpor- ation itself states that income attributed to Hudson - Bay Mountain is about $4 million but explains that the total im- pact is estimated to be about $6 “to $8 million when you consider the ‘economic mulitiplier”’. By this they mean. the additional economic activity generated by new money circulating through- out. the community. ' But what about the economic impact to the ski enthusiast him- - Self?’ Through. information sup- plied by Rushton, the following - example ‘was worked out. First . of all; Rushton: says skiing isn’t ‘as: expensive . as many people think. A complete set new of CATCH THE ACTION Visit the Northern Motor Inn, for nightly entertainment. Come to where the ACTION is. 3086 Hwy. 16 East 035-6375 family of four). The big expense is. a-lift pass, getting there, eating, and, finding a place to - stay where necessary. who likes. to go skiing every Saturday, 20 weeks of the year, and following eight hours on the hill each trip likes a hot bath and a good meal. First consider Hudson Bay Mountain. Our gentleman sets his alarm for 5:00 a.m, so he can be on the slopes by eight. Following his day’s skiing he heads for the whirlpool and dining room of his favorite Smithers hotel where he spends the night before returning home. He does this This ‘example - ‘considers the it has been done properly,’ “plight, of a Terrace ski enthusiast were his words according to. because he dislikes the discom-. fort of the 2-1/2 hour drive, home after eight hours of skiing. _ In order to enjoy this luxury, he spends each year ‘$556: for gas, $800 for accommodation, and $300 for his season pass. A - total over the 10-year life of his $600 worth of equipment of about. $24,000. Enough for a small yacht. But what if he were to use Shames. It’s less than a 30 min- . ‘ute drive, he can easily return -home to a hot tub and a nice home cooked meal. His annual costs now are only $64 for gas, nothing for accommodation or ‘dinner, $200 for lunch and $300 for his pass — a 10-year total of ‘about $11,000. If he would like ‘on the odd occasion to stop off at Mount Layton Hot Springs on the way home it would cost a fe Terrace Revlew — Wednesday, saly 9, 1989 911 hames: a mountain worth the wait — . equipment costs about $600 but with care can ‘last as long as 10° years. And an annual ski pass ‘runs in the neighbourhood of -$300 to $350 (about $800 for a ‘little extra but he would stil be oo miles ahead. - “*So it’s easy to see why a jot. of people have, hung up: ‘their skis and are. waiting for a new - hill,’ says Rushton. ‘But even - $200 for lunch, $500 for dinner — if we get Shames they will still go to Smithers occasionally for - variety. The same way people will come to Shames from Smithers.”” . Then there’s the value in a local.ski hill that Rushton says is most important of all — it gives our kids something useful to . do. “We have a long miserable winter here and there are a lot of teenagers who ski,”’ he - says. ‘And. instead of hanging around, parents can buy a sea- son pass, put them on the bus, and they’re entertained for the day.” He says it’s a good healthy outdoor experience — and it’s affordable. - Skeena MLA Dave Parker presented a new B.C. flag and $3,100 for the purchase of a com- - puter to Chamber of Commerce InfoCentre manager Bobbie Phillips recently. Phillips also -racelved new name tags for InfoCentre employees, and their promised facsimile machine arrived last week. Coming soon will be InfoCentre uniforms. The computer and facsimile machine willl improve customer service In what Is already considered to be one of the best InfoCentre operations in the province. Min WARNING GAS BARBECUE USERS. We have only just begun the outdoor barbecue season and already - there have been accidents and injury with gas barbecues. Check your unit before using. .Read the instruction plate before - lighting and make sure clearance to surrounding walls is.as listed on the plate. Make sure that all hoses and connections are tight and in good condition. Remember the connection to the cylinder has a feft hand thread. | lf you are in doubt on the.condition of your barbecue, consult the | telephone directory for barbecue companies or the propane suppliers | in your area who will I gladly give advice. Ce | “Province of British Columbia | istry of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Culture j - Rita M. Johnston Minister "Gas a Safty Branch a. en nT eos or fem ae ciiereatiiiinadiibdamen ane mie meee ee a eats Seutlineanieraniereteteaier : ae : ? a Lg TE REE te nim To a ee ae Pr ee