The Gallix ski resort is looking to raise nearly $1.1 million for the repair of its ski lift.
• Read also: Gallix ski resort: sliding activities without a ski lift
Last fall, the overflow of a stream at the bottom of the ski slopes caused the collapse of the ski resort’s only ski lift. The damage was so extensive that it was not possible to repair it for the current season, especially since the non-profit organization does not have the necessary funds. The total cost of the repair would be estimated at $2.6 million, according to the station.
The station’s insurance will cover part of the costs by paying $1.5 million. The rest of the funding must come from the community.
A fundraising campaign that will continue until the end of April was launched on Friday. The goal is to start work in May. In fact, a contract worth just under $550,000 was awarded last week for the installation of a culvert 12 feet in diameter to replace the three that were damaged last fall.
“Before a piece of wood arrives in there, blocks and jams … We are likely not to see this kind of situation again”, indicated to TVA Nouvelles, Loïs Babin, director of the station of Gallix skiing.
Next June, the lift supplier should be at work in the mountain to repair the infrastructure and install a new 1.6 km cable which was delivered to Sept-Îles recently. The old cable, which was only a year old, had to be cut after the incident and it was recommended that it be replaced. Will everything be ready in time for the next season?
“We are all optimistic about this, unless there is a disaster that we would not have foreseen. To date, everything is fine, we are still having discussions with [le fournisseur] Doppelmayr on various points, the contracts, the cabins, the choices we have to make”, replied Loïs Babin.
Approaches have been made to the various levels of government to fill the financial package for this important project if necessary. The station does not have confirmation for the moment, but its director says he is sure to obtain this support.
Between now and next season, sliding activities are still offered in Gallix. An operating deficit is foreseeable, but the situation is far from insurmountable with this growing attraction for the station in recent years. The number of members has more than doubled over the past ten years, reaching nearly 800. The construction of a new chalet partly explains this increase.