Cross-country Ski Trails Grooming for Success

Government of Canada and City of St. John’s invest in Avalon Nordic Ski Club operations in Pippy Park

November 25, 2016 – St. John’s, NL – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

The Avalon Nordic Ski Club will undertake improvements to a popular winter recreational facility in St. John’s, thanks to investments from the Government of Canada and the City of St. John’s. The club will install new snow-making equipment and associated infrastructure to improve existing cross-country ski trails in Pippy Park’s Winter Activity Centre. 

Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, on behalf of Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), today announced an investment of $100,219 from the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program (CIP 150), while Ron Ellsworth, Deputy Mayor, City of St. John’s, announced $50,000 for the project at an event at the park’s North Bank Lodge.

These investments will help the Avalon Nordic Ski Club provide consistent and reliable snow, extending the cross-country skiing season by up to four weeks at both the start and the end of the season.

The Pippy Park Commission, as the land owner, is also a partner in this project and has entered into a 10-year agreement with Avalon Nordic.

At today’s event, Avalon Nordic also announced that Andrew Younghusband, Canadian writer, actor and host of two popular television programs, has been named the club’s Honourary Patron. Andrew learned to ski at Pippy Park and credits the sport for his lifelong love of adventure and the outdoors.

Quotes

“The Government of Canada is committed to making investments that help communities prosper.  The Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program is helping strengthen and improve existing recreational infrastructure, such as the cross-country ski trails in St. John’s, in order to provide opportunities for Canadians to be active while celebrating Canada’s 150^th birthday.”

-       The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA

“The Winter Activity Centre in Pippy Park has been a mainstay in the City of St. John’s for many years.  These investments will help the Avalon Nordic Ski Club and the City improve the trail conditions and extend the season.  I am pleased to announce an investment from the Government of Canada for this very important piece of winter recreational infrastructure as it provides an opportunity for people to come together, be active and enjoy our winters.”

-       Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament, St. John’s East

“The City of St. John’s operates the Winter Activity Centre in partnership with the Avalon Nordic Ski Club from January to April each year. Because activities are dependent on weather and snow conditions, this new snow making machine will drastically improve our ability to provide outdoor activities throughout the winter. We strive to be a city for all seasons, promoting active and healthy living year round, and we are pleased to be partnering with the Government of Canada, the CA Pippy Park Commission, and the Avalon Nordic Ski Club to increase winter recreation opportunities for all residents and visitors to the City.”

-       Deputy Mayor Ron Ellsworth, Chair, Community Services Standing Committee, City of St. John’s

"Avalon Nordic is delighted by this investment from the Government of Canada and the City of St. John's in the health and well-being of its citizens.  Ski facilities the world over are being forced to manufacture snow because of climate change. The sport of cross-country skiing is one of the best ways to stay fit during the winter. We look forward to bringing this vision to fruition in time for the 2018 ski season."

-       Colin Taylor, President, Avalon Nordic Ski Club

Associated Links

• Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program (ACOA)
• City of St. John’s
• Avalon Nordic Ski Club
• Pippy Park

Contacts

Paul McGrath
Director, Communications
ACOA NL
709-772-2984
paul.mcgrath@canada.ca

Kelly Maguire
Media Relations
City of St. John's
709-576-8491
kmaguire@stjohns.ca 

Marie Wadden
Avalon Nordic Ski Club
709-754-1256
marie.wadden@gmail.com