RCMP MUSICAL RIDE

will be in McCreary July 31, 2012

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"Agassiz Alpine Snowsport Resort - Manitoba's Mountains"

History and Rationale of Agassiz Mountain Development Group -

A Personal Observation…

In the summer of 2006 I began research in order to determine why Agassiz had not been operated since it’s closure in 2000.

It was in spring 2000, on it’s last day of operation of nearly 40 years...READ MORE

What is our Dream for the East Escarpment?

Let’s not refer to it not as a dream, but as a vision. A vision supported by what are now many other people’s hopes, aspirations and expectations. This region has rich unique history, agriculture, recreation and hospitality opportunities beckoning attention to what many refer to as the“home-grown tourist”...READ MORE



April 30, 2012 -

Parks Canada unclear as to any revised time-line when Agassiz amendment might get the Minister's attention for review.

That being said, many will recall from the Community Meetings held this winter ALL indications were this process would be at the Minister's attention by end of February. Then a short delay, as need to offer notes from the unscheduled Dauphin gathering so it was a couple days delayed in being forwarded to the Minister.

Well, it's now been a couple months!

We had long ago questioned in anticipating that the previously presented time-line was unrealistic as even we were aware that other departments within Parks Canada and others would require review before the amendment went to the Minister in Ottawa. We projected the process taking longer than initially projected by RMNP with the full understanding it's somewhat new territory and of unique circumstances within that of Parks Canada. (only one of about three amendments in Parks Canada history to move forward).

Now we need question why it's simply not just offered in the new Management Plan. This rush, in a total change of previous direction, in order to now offer opportunity to redevelop Agassiz has not been just these 2 months of amendment delay, it's been 5 years of misdirection, stalls, and delays with millions of tax dollars used and much of those wasted. In the meantime, what could have been a reasonable expense to re-operate is quickly becoming cost-prohibitive to redevelop. Lets not even talk about the loss in the communities and it's opinion whether Parks Canada doing the right thing.

Was this amendment concept simply a "band-aid" solution to stifle the continuing negative sentiment towards Parks Canada on this Agassiz issue, or only false hope?

The following was not a reasonable response from RMNP when asked last week where the amendment process sits:

"The amendment material has been forwarded to the Minister of the Environment for his review. When we receive word from the Minister's office, we'll be able to prepare a more detailed time line."

Thus, it could be months before any certainty to determine it's even further duration! RMNP was pretty "certain" at the Community Meetings offering a completed time-line as February.

Expected!

In these past 5 years we have still to see RMNP adhere within any of it's initially offered time-lines (or even conclude on some issues). In business that would not be tolerated. As this was deemed a priority for the east escarpment communities, it should not be tolerated.

Is it they just don't know or are there hidden agendas in play. Go figure yet it's only true representation and the facts that will garner the respect of the many stakeholders questioning the motives and competency of this process.

In other developments, we had a site tour for government officials and building inspectors (upon their request) last week. Lets just say the were appalled at the neglect and lack of security that had been allowed to occur and continue. Numerous doors AGAIN wide open and not attended to while 5 PCA staff on site this day. Further vandalism and theft continues unheeded. Contaminates noted in reasoning to destroy buildings remains in place. They questioned several times why Parks Canada had allowed the infrastructure to get to this state...the kicker was when they witnessed birds slamming into windows - in a National Park (countless times we pleaded to have all the windows boarded shut). They realized this is an asset owned by them (taxpayers) and entrusted to Parks Canada to safeguard and upkeep.

Nevertheless, lets just say their expert observation and examination of the buildings is quite contraire to a previous Parks Canada commissioned assessor that suggested all be torn down. They found that laughable.

The government's report should be available in the next week (received). As they wish to see this move forward we can at least have faith in that time-line!