Concerned skiers and snowboarders filled the room at the Thornhill Community Centre Oct. 24 to hear what is in store for the future of local ski hill Shames Mountain.

The ski hill is listed for sale by the current board of directors for $1.5 million, and the board has frequently said it wants to sell to a group that will continue keeping the hill open for the community.

An online movement recently began to see if a global co-op idea would be possible for the mountain’s future.

Nine individuals have formed a steering committee, called Friends of Shames, to look into viable options for Shames, with most of the members residing locally. Jamie Schectman, a skier from Tahoe now living in Patagonia, came up with the Shames co-op idea with his wife Shanie Matthews, and he attended the townhall meeting last weekend.

He said the future of Shames should look at the needs of the community, environment and clients.

While those attending the townhall put out ideas of powerlines going to the hill, accommodation, and expansion, the steering committee said it is a long way from development; members stressed that it is still determining what form of organization will be the best model to make Shames successful in the future.

It also doesn’t know how much money will be needed to go forward, as it is still not sure which model is best yet.

Some options it is looking at include non-profit, co-op, and not-for-profit co-op models.

The committee said it is gathering information on legal and tax requirements, which will influence which model is chosen.

The night ended with a silent auction and music from local band Big Money Holiday. The proceeds and fundraising for Friends of Shames will go towards paying grant writers, accountants, and lawyers looking into the initiative.

Those interested are urged to go to the website and share their ideas on the message board: www.shamesmtncoop.com.