Meeting today
Community to learn plans for ski hill
INGONISH — Excitement is building for what’s expected to be a multi-million dollar development along the Cabot Trail by a private firm with European connections.
Just two days after the sale of a beleaguered Ingonish ski hill, the facility’s new owners are hosting a public meeting.
The group known as Cape Smokey Holding Ltd. purchased the 162 hectare property from the province for $370,000.
Part of the group’s plan involves the creation of a ‘tree walk,’ which is similar to a structure found in the Czech Republic.
The tower of climbing platforms offers visitors a bird’s eye view of the area.
Ingonish project proponents say the tree walk will be both ecofriendly and accessible.
“It’s going to be huge both from an economic standpoint and the social aspect of it,” said Victoria County Coun. Larry Dauphinee.
“As a small rural area, seasonal work is usually all we have. Their goal is to have this as a four-season resort, so they’re looking at full-time jobs.”
Back in the 1980s, when he was only 18 or 19, Dauphinee worked as ski patrol at Ski Cape Smokey.
The chair of the non-profit Ski Cape Smokey Society, said his son Kevin has also served as groomer of the hill in recent years.
“Eleven years ago, when I became councillor, my goal was to get Smokey going again and get it into private hands,” he said.
“It was totally closed when I took it over, so I got the volunteers together and just got everybody going and we got the hill open for the kids in the community.
“I skied there all my life, ski patrol and you name it I’ve done it there.”
Although the didn’t anticipate how long it would take to find a buyer, the society’s efforts were aimed at keeping the treasured hill for community members.
The president of Cape Smokey Holding Ltd., is Prague-born, New York-based developer Joseph Balaz. According to American Friends of the Czech Republic organization, Balaz is founder of J. Balaz Associates, which creates high-end residential and specialty construction projects.
He is also a partner in the development of a coastal property called Red Head in Cape Breton and is believed to have lived in the Ingonish area for six years or more.
The Nova Scotia-registered business includes three directors, two of which have addresses located in the Czech Republic.
“He fell in love with the area, and he purchased some property and has built a home here, so he’s here quite often,” said Dauphinee.
“They’re very much into being involved with the community and working with the community.”
Ski Cape Smokey was first developed in the early 1970s by a Quebec man named Owen Carter.
One of the problems facing the group over the years is a lack of consistent snowfall.
According to Dauphinee, future plans for the ski hill do include snowmaking equipment.
Community members are invited today for a 6 p.m. meeting at the ski lodge to discuss future developments on the mountain.
On Friday, Victoria-The Lakes MLA Keith Bains said its forthcoming development will bring tourists and new opportunities to Ingonish. The project is estimated to bring a few hundred jobs to the area.
“I applaud Joseph Balaz and his company for seeing the great, year-round potential in Ski Cape Smokey,” Bain said in a press release. “This is great news for our community.”
Bain expressed gratitude to members of the local ski society for keeping the hill open.
“Because of a dedicated group of volunteers, the ski hill has been operating for almost a quarter of a century,” Bain said. “Without their efforts, the new development would not be possible.”