Gaspé trailhead funding gets city approval

Urban cross-country skiing boosted by approved funds

By Wes Smiderle December 7, 2023

In 2021, Ski Heritage East Head Groomer Lyle Fair (right) works the Ginzu Groomer being towed by a Yahama snowmobile. (The group acquired a second Ginzu in 2022.) Photo supplied by Ski Heritage East — Ski Heritage East was a 'big part' of the application for funding to establish a skiing trailhead at 1805 Gaspé. Pictured in 2021, Ski Heritage East Head Groomer Lyle Fair (right) works the Ginzu Groomer being towed by a Yahama snowmobile. (The group acquired a second Ginzu in 2022.) Photo supplied by Ski Heritage East

The new home of Manor Park Community Council (MPCC) could soon serve as a trailhead for the city’s extensive urban cross-country skiing network.

Last October, City of Ottawa council approved $15,000 toward the establishment of a new multi-purpose cross-country ski trailhead at 1805 Gaspé Ave., the former Historica Canada campus that housed the “Encounters With Canada” program, and the MPCC’s newly-opened home.

This was later included in the 2024 budget, approved by council in December.

This amounts to a 25 percent contribution to the total project cost, estimated at about $60,000.

The cost of the project includes the construction of:

building gates to provide seasonal access
an outdoor deck for seating and fire pits
exterior lighting, and
a shed for equipment storage and some signage.

Ski Heritage East, a non-profit group that manages and maintains about 40 km of trail along the bank of the Ottawa River, also contributed to the proposal.

The MPCC proposed idea of establishing a trailhead at Gaspé to Ski Heritage East a while ago. The National Capital Commission (NCC) took an interest in 2023, adding weight to the pitch. In conjunction with the MPCC’s submission to the city, Ski Heritage East prepared a report exploring various possibilities. If the project goes forward, the group will store its snowmobile and track-maintenance equipment at 1805 Gaspé.

This is good news for Manor Parkers, many of whom already enjoy a ski along the river in winter.

Meeting place

Although there are no estimates on potential usage, in an email statement MPCC Executive Director Lana Burpee notes the trailhead could be used as a staging area for loppets and lessons and also wouldn’t be used just for skiing but could also serve as a meeting place for families and friends to meet for a skate or to sit around the fire. Walkers and snowshoers would also be welcome and its season could be extended through access from the Blasdell Ave. footbridge (now known as the Sumac Footbridge, see page 23 for details).

The $15,000 comes from the city’s Community Partnership Major Capital Grant program. This is the only municipal cost-sharing program that can be applied to private property. It’s designed to fund major improvements to parks and recreation facilities.

The Gaspé property owner, the MPCC and “other tenants” in the building would have to provide the remaining funds. According to the MPCC, the approval of the grant helps cover about 75 percent of the cost. The remaining 25 percent still needs to be raised.

An opening date is still unclear. Lana says this winter is possible but a 2024 opening would give the MPCC more time to raise the remaining funds.