Mt. Timothy Ski Society recently received some good news that will mean big changes on the slopes.

The Community Adjustment Fund has granted them $1,074,430 over two years to continue development of the ski area.

The money was a portion of $10 million provided by the Northern Development Initiative Trust to support the most affected communities in central and northern BC, helping to reduce the short-term impacts of the economic downturn.

Improvements at Mt. Timothy

will include enhancement of the

Freestyle Zone by way of installation of two new lifts; increased

snow-making abilities; and modernization of the t-bar.

Plans also include construction of a new guest service/rental and first aid building at the base of the chairlift. It’s expected that up to 15 year-round jobs will be generated for the construction phase.

“I’m extremely excited. It gets the creative juices going and it’s going to get people employed,” said Noel Thompson, Mt. Timothy general manager.

He’s had two people working on the project since Aug. 1, immediately following the grant announcement.

Currently, improvements to the hill profile in the Freestyle Zone are being made and, following that, a new platter lift will be installed.

Thompson said it will let riders off on the Big Easy run, which will, in turn, allow them simple access to the Freestyle Zone.

Also in the plan is an additional 250-foot long Magic Carpet lift that will be located in front of the daylodge. It will give access to a new freestyle park for beginners.

Next year will see a new equipment rental and guest services building constructed at the base parking lot area, leaving the daylodge dedicated to food services.

The decision to expand came after a professional analysis of Mt. Timothy’s facilities, said Thompson.

“We found that washroom space

is critically undersized and we’re growing quickly and running out of space,” said Thompson.

He said that improvement to the existing t-bar will see it used more frequently in the future as well.

“We plan to run it more often as some people prefer it because it’s faster than the chair. It will be used primarily to access the steeper terrain for the higher end skiers,” said Thompson.

He added that along with the 15 construction jobs will come many indirect jobs as well.

“There’s still a little bit of disbelief and I’m trying to get my head wrapped around it,” said Thompson. “Some people wonder if it’s going to be stressful but I’ve been in the ski industry for over 30 years and it’s all good. I’m looking forward to the challenges.”