In response to a question posed during a Board of Health meeting Wednesday, the local medical officer of health explained why Laurentian Ski Hill and Antoine Mountain in Mattawan were left out when restrictions were lifted earlier this week regarding the use of snowmobile trails, outdoor skating rinks, and sliding hills.
Dr. Jim Chirico says the two local ski hills remain closed due to provincial directives.
The question came from board member and Deputy Mayor Tanya Vrebosch, who suggested communication about imminent public health decisions would be helpful for the organizations. She noted the ski hills had put in a great deal of work to be ready to open this past week — at considerable expense — only to learn they would not be permitted to open.
"They are wondering why tubing hills are open, other ski hills are open but they are the only two that are not," relayed Vrebosch.
Dr. Chirico says ski hills in our district cannot open because North Bay-Parry Sound has not entered the provincial reopening framework.
"We are in the shutdown, the stay-at-home order is in effect," replied Chirico. "Within that, ski hills have been deemed to be closed and that's a provincial directive."
He adds the medical officer of health can only increase restrictions, not decrease them. So, until the district is in the framework, the ski hills remain closed.
"I do appreciate, certainly, it is concerning for a lot of people, " he added. "But, in my opinion, with what we're facing and how serious the threat is — and I understand how important mental wellness is, physical activity — we have to balance that with what we're facing, and how serious, and how potentially devastating this could be."
See related story: Dr. Chirico: Threat at its 'most serious' due to virus variant
See also: Ski hill enthusiasm going downhill with extended northern lockdown
And: Local ski business facing an uphill battle
Dr. Chirico agreed notice of changes in health policy will be given to the ski hills and all small businesses so they can prepare to reopen — when possible. But, as he had mentioned earlier in the meeting, sometimes the announcements are coming soon after the final consultations and decision is made.
"They have to have a plan in place...I might now know until the last minute," he said.
See also: Re-examine lockdown, communicate better, Chamber of Commerce tells Health Unit
Neither skiing attraction has made public any decision to give up on the season, with March 5 the next date to extend or rescind the orders. In fact, both Laurentian Ski Hill and Antoine Mountain have consistently posted their opening dates as the day after the current public health restrictions expire. However, time is of the essence. With March Break pushed to April and mild weather on the way, an already abbreviated season could be even shorter than many are hoping for.
