Wesley Clover Parks Nordic Ski Centre: A Premier Cross-Country Ski Facility Prepared for: Wesley Clover Foundation Prepared by: Kanata Nordic Ski Club, October 2014 Kanata Nordic Ski Club / www.kanatanordic.ca / PO Box 72084 Kanata ON K2K 2P4 / [email protected] Executive Summary Kanata Nordic Ski Club proposes to work closely with Wesley Clover Parks, starting in 2014, to develop a destination Nordic ski centre that will become a major hub for winter activities, with cross-country skiing as a central component. Cross-country skiing is a sport with a light environ- mental footprint that is suitable for all ages and skill levels, starting with parents pulling infants in sleds through to the most senior of citizens. This proposal is for development of premium ski trails on and around the Corkstown plateau, as well as the infrastructure to complement it, including a day lodge. The resulting full-service Nordic ski centre would offer many compatible summer and winter possibilities, including: • snowshoe, interpretive and storybook trails • winter survival skills training • equestrian cross-country trails • orienteering and ski orienteering • children's winter ski play park • winter sport tourism • Para-nordic programs • trail running, duathlons and triathlons • school ski programs • citizen and competitive ski races • weekday and evening ski programs • children’s school break camps This proposal recognizes that Kanata Nordic’s vision must be sustainable and cannot tax Wesley Clover Parks’ financial or operational resources. As such, it presents a three-phase plan and finan- cial model supported by considerable research and fact-finding from comparable facilities. In Phase 1 Kanata Nordic initiates trail development and introduces programs and events to the site. Phases 2 and 3 focus on increased trail development and new infrastructure, transitioning trail management to Wesley Clover Parks. A high-profile event officially launches the Nordic ski centre during Canada’s 2017 sesquicentennial celebrations. Kanata Nordic is pleased to have this opportunity to collaborate with Wesley Clover Parks to set a new standard for a recreational and educational outdoor centre in the region, which will become a destination for residents and tourists alike, every month of the year. Wesley Clover Parks Nordic Ski Centre 2 Table of Contents 1. Introduction 5 1.1 / ABOUT KANATA NORDIC SKI CLUB 5 1.2 / LEGACY 6 1.3 / OPPORTUNITY 7 2. The Vision: Wesley Clover Parks Nordic Ski Centre 8 2.1 / KANATA NORDIC SKI CLUB PROGRAMS 9 2.2 / DAY USE AND SEASON’S PASSES (WINTER) 9 2.3 / CHILDREN’S WINTER SKI PLAY PARK 10 2.4 / PARA-NORDIC SKI PROGRAMS 10 2.5 / PUBLIC SCHOOL LEARN-TO-SKI PROGRAMS 11 2.6 / WINTER CAMPING AND OUTDOOR SURVIVAL SKILLS 11 2.7 / WINTER TRIATHLONS AND DUATHLONS 12 2.8 / OTTAWA ORIENTEERING CLUB (OOC) ON SITE 12 2.9 / OFF-SNOW (DRYLAND) TRAINING AND EVENTS 13 2.10 / DISC GOLF 13 2.11 / SELF-GUIDED INTERPRETIVE TRAIL 14 2.12 / ALGONQUIN FIRST NATIONS HERITAGE 14 2.13 / FOREST & NATURE SCHOOL 15 2.14 / SPORT TOURISM 15 2.15 / REGIONAL LEVEL SKI COMPETITIONS 15 3. Building a Nordic Ski Centre 16 3.1 / TRAIL NETWORK 16 3.2 / TRAIL OPTIONS 18 3.3 / TRAIL MAINTENANCE AND GROOMING EQUIPMENT 18 3.4 / COMPETITION (STADIUM) AREA 20 3.5 / DAY LODGE 20 3.6 / MARKETING AND PROMOTION 22 Wesley Clover Parks Nordic Ski Centre 3 4. A Phased-In Approach 23 TABLE 4.1: KEY ELEMENTS OF THE THREE PHASES 24 4.1 / PHASE ONE (2014-15): TRANSITION YEAR 25 4.2 / PHASE TWO (2015-17): DEVELOPMENT BEGINS 26 4.3 / PHASE THREE (2017-19): NORDIC SKI CENTRE COMES ONLINE 27 4.4 / WESLEY CLOVER PARKS REVENUE PROJECTIONS 28 4.5 / LOOKING BEYOND 2019 29 4.5.1 / Biathlon Range 29 4.5.2 / School Break Camps 29 4.5.3 / Snowmaking System 29 4.5.4 / Trail Access from Kanata North’s Beaverbrook Neighbourhood 30 4.5.5 / Conditioning Centre in the Day Lodge 30 5. Corporate. Community and Sports Industry Partners 31 5.1 / OLYMPIC GRADE TRAILS AND GROOMING 31 5.2 / CARTOGRAPHY SKILLS 31 5.3 / LOCAL CROSS-COUNTRY SKI INDUSTRY 31 5.4 / MUNICIPAL LEADERSHIP 32 5.5 / OTTAWA PUBLIC LIBRARY 32 5.6 / MEDIA INTEREST 32 Appendix A: Trail Network in Phase 1, Option 1 / Option 2 A-1 Appendix B: Trail Network in Phase 2 A-3 Appendix C: Trail Network in Phase 3 A-4 Appendix D: Revenue Inputs for Trail Passes and Parking A-5 Appendix E: Financial Projections in Phase 1 A-6 Appendix F: Financial Projections in Phase 2 A-7 Appendix G: Financial Projections in Phase 3 A-8 Appendix H: Trail Revenue at Established Nordic Centres A-9 Appendix I: Kanata Nordic Historical Operating Results A-10 Appendix J: Governance and Management Structures A-11 Wesley Clover Parks Nordic Ski Centre 4 1. Introduction Wesley Clover Parks has the opportunity to create an outdoor recreational centre promoting the area’s natural heritage and offering a broad spectrum of sports and activities. With a quarter million residents in Kanata and Ottawa-West Nepean, Wesley Clover Parks can build a financially sustainable and unique venue for youth and adult cross-country ski programs, with an inviting club environment, and recreational skiing for outdoor and fitness enthusiasts, all made more attractive by the easily accessible urban setting. 1.1 / ABOUT KANATA NORDIC SKI CLUB Kanata Nordic is dedicated to promoting life long activity and enjoyment of the outdoors through a variety of cross-country ski programs offered in a family-friendly club setting. Kanata Nordic is a member of Cross Country Ontario (CCO) and Cross Country Canada (CCC), and its programs are based on Cross Country Canada’s national skills development model. Established in 1979, Kanata Nordic is a registered not-for-profit corporation fully insured through CCC. It is a community-based organization run by volunteers. It has a solid membership base, sound governance, and a healthy balance sheet. Historical financial data is included in Appendix I. Wesley Clover Parks Nordic Ski Centre 5 Programs are led by parents and volunteers, trained in accordance with CCO and CCC requirements. Racing coaches develop skiers to participate in regional, provincial and national competitions. The club has established strong relationships with the City of Ottawa and the National Capital Commission (NCC). It is part of a vibrant local ski community based on cooperative and amicable relations with other cross-country ski clubs in the National Capital District (NCD) of Cross Country Ontario, as well as with many local schools and businesses. 1.2 / LEGACY Through its 35 years Kanata Nordic has been committed to the growth and development of cross- country skiing in the local and regional community. At its inception Kanata Nordic worked closely with the City to maintain an extensive network of trails in what is now Kanata Lakes. As suburban development overtook the network, the club approached the YM-YWCA to establish a ski facility at the Bonnenfant Y Outdoor Centre and neighbouring Sheila McKee Park. At the same time Kanata Nordic groomed and maintained trails in the NCC Western Greenbelt, including the area adjacent to the Wesley Clover Parks campground. Since relocating to Sheila McKee Park in 2007, our membership has tripled to over 500 members and demand for our programs exceeds supply. Unfortunately, we are restricted by a modest five Wesley Clover Parks Nordic Ski Centre 6 kilometres of trails on relatively flat terrain with limited access to heated facilities and washrooms. There are no options for expanding the trail network at the current location. Many west-end skiers travel an extra 30 minutes to West Carleton Ski Club (located at Fitzroy Provincial Park) or up to 60 minutes to Gatineau Park to enjoy longer trails and more challenging terrain. 1.3 / OPPORTUNITY In 2009 Kanata Nordic undertook an extensive evaluation of potential locations for developing a Nordic ski centre in west Ottawa. This study showed that the cost of private land is prohibitive and that the Corkstown plateau is one of the few locations that has the required type of terrain. Although we maintain an agreement with the NCC and City to groom in the area, suitable facilities have not been available for our programs until now. The Wesley Clover Parks mandate is very compatible with Kanata Nordic’s own. Cross-country skiing is as an excellent way to enjoy the outdoors, is one of the best all-round fitness activities and is a sport for the entire family to enjoy, young and old, throughout life. This proposal provides a plan to harness the potential of the site and puts forward a multi-year, multi-phase strategy to establish a Nordic ski centre. The plan begins with trail development and introduction of Kanata Nordic programming to Wesley Clover Parks in the 2014-15 winter season. This start date is central to this plan and to meeting the timeline for a grand opening in conjunction with Canada’s sesquicentennial celebrations in 2017. Wesley Clover Parks Nordic Ski Centre 7 2. The Vision: Wesley Clover Parks Nordic Ski Centre Kanata Nordic proposes a long term partnership with Wesley Clover Parks to establish a world-class Nordic ski centre, with Kanata Nordic as the exclusive resident ski club offering programs, events and skiing expertise. Central to this vision is a trail network of a minimum of 15-20 kilometres, extending from the equestrian park fields to the scenic and challenging terrain of Corkstown plateau, all connected to a central day lodge. A day lodge provides a meeting place for families and friends, a centre for special events, shelter from the elements, and space to conduct the indoor portion of both recreational and competitive programs.