McCreary (MB), Canada – Its slopes have been quiet since 2000, but Parks Canada last month announced a Request for Proposals (RFP) to seek potential submissions as the first step to reopen Mount Agassiz Ski Area in Riding Mountain National Park, near McCreary, Manitoba, for a sustainable winter or multi-season operation.
“Parks Canada is a world leader in conservation and Canada’s largest provider of natural and cultural tourism products,” said Richard Dupuis,
Acting Superintendent of Riding Mountain National Park. “This RFP is an important first step towards re-opening the Mount Agassiz Ski Area. Parks Canada is committed to supporting tourism industry initiatives to provide opportunities for visitors to enjoy and understand their national parks, while maintaining the ecological integrity of these special places.”
Ninety-eight percent of Riding Mountain National Park is designated as wilderness. Mount Agassiz is a designated recreational area and is defined as a commercial ski area within the Canada National Parks Act and Parks Canada is looking for a financially sound lease proposal to reopen the ski area, which first operated in 1961.
The ski area on the Manitoba Escarpment continued to grow its facilities throughout the 1970s, bolstered by a Canada Winter Games held at McCreary in 1979. After business levels declined sharply through the 1990s, however, the ski area’s former operator pulled the plug in 2000.
Following its closure the Mt. Agassiz Ski Area site has remained dormant. The 2007 Riding Mountain National Park Management Plan indicated additional leases would not be granted for the purposes of downhill skiing in the park and the Mount Agassiz area would be rehabilitated. Following the decision, regional stakeholders brought new information and perspectives to Parks Canada regarding the future of the Mount Agassiz site. Parks Canada re-examined its position, and commissioned a feasibility study that concluded that reopening Mount Agassiz Ski Area is a viable challenge due to limited markets, competition from existing ski hills, and high capital and operating costs.
Public sentiment continued to demonstrate a strong interest in reopening the site, so Parks Canada proposed an amendment to the national park management plan to allow entrepreneurs an opportunity to develop a proposal for a multi-season operation at Mount Agassiz. In January 2012, Parks Canada conducted extensive public consultation of the management plan amendment. Overall, public support for the amendment was strong.
In June 2012, an approved management plan amendment was tabled in Parliament. Parks Canada has now launched a Request For Proposals process to invite potential submissions to reopen the Mount Agassiz Ski Area in Riding Mountain National Park for a sustainable winter or multi-season operation.
The entire RFP process will take one year. Proponents will have nine months to submit their proposals, and Parks Canada will review submissions within three months of the submission deadline. Parks Canada says that it will work closely with the successful proponent to ensure a successful outcome. Potential proponents can register and obtain the full Request for Proposals package from Riding Mountain National Park. Information will also be available on the Parks Canada website or by contacting Riding Mountain National Park.