Editor’s note: The following is an open letter to Laurentian University president Robert Haché, the Laurentian University board of governors, the firm Ernst & Young (the court-appointed monitor of Laurentian’s CCAA filing), Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger and Ward 10 Coun. Fern Cormier.
I am writing to you on behalf of the 400 members of Laurentian Nordic Ski Club ( LNSC) as the president and countless community residents who make use of the ski trails located on the Laurentian campus.
We understand the CCAA process is considering the sale of land and building assets to offset its debt. We adamantly urge you to consider the value of these trails and related greenspace, as well as their impact on university and community life.
Weighing the value of these assets to the community and the university is essential.
The Laurentian Nordic Ski Club has established an excellent working relationship with the university for the maintenance of these trails. For more than 50 years the Laurentian Nordic Trail system, with 12 kilometres of trails on Laurentian University property and a small section on Conservation Sudbury lands, has been an icon for the community.
The trail system has provided healthy lifestyle activities for Sudbury residents, Laurentian University students, and visitors to our community. This natural resource is foundational to attracting, integrating and retaining a vibrant population in the North. As well, they serve as an attractive feature for recruiting Laurentian students. In fact, the trails have been the backdrop for many photographs used by the university for marketing.
Historically, Laurentian University and LNSC shared the responsibility of maintaining the trails. For the past 10 years, LNSC has assumed the exclusive responsibility of financing, maintaining and operating the trails through an agreement with Laurentian University. This includes winter grooming of the trails and off-season maintenance to ensure the safety of all users in order to manage the liabilities to the University and the ski club.
LNSC spends a minimum of $30,000 annually to maintain the trails, and invests in excess of 400 volunteer hours yearly to accomplish this.
The LNSC is an integral and established part of the Greater Sudbury community. Recently, an investment by the D’Aloisio family, in memory of Robert D’Aloisio, who was a long-time club member and nordic skier, enabled the lighting of a 1.5-km loop for night skiing.
LNSC worked with the university to manage the funds, and the installation of the lights on university property. The donation of $150,000 to fund the project was to the club, however, this donation flowed through Laurentian University in the spirit of cooperation and collaboration that has been established for decades. A portion of these funds were allocated to the ongoing maintenance of the lights on the trails and was held in trust by Laurentian University. It is not clear whether these funds are still available for their intended purpose.
Improvements to the trails have enabled the hosting of provincial-level competitions for high school (OFSSA), university (OUA) and club (Ontario Cup) racers annual loppets, and many secondary school competitions.
The trails have a close connection with the Sudbury community through the provision of youth and adult programming. The club offers Nordiq Canada youth programming, promoting the sport of cross-country skiing and a healthy lifestyle through recreational and competitive opportunities.
In addition, the club provides ski school and training opportunities to elementary and high school students. Sudbury and LNSC can boast the development of many high calibre athletes, in both nordic and para nordic categories, including provincial, national and world champions.
Laurentian University students benefit from access to the LNSC trail system and ski rentals. This contributes to the quality of student life on campus year round. There are university courses which utilize the trails as part of their curriculum as well. LNSC volunteers coordinate with university staff to ensure trails are prepared and equipment is available as required.
The International Students Association and other university groups are introduced, and benefit from, winter and summer activities on the LNSC trail system.
The opportunity to learn to ski on campus on professionally groomed trails and the provision of all ski equipment is an important aspect of the agreement between the University and LNSC. It also greatly contributes to the quality of life for Laurentian students and staff. In fact, many would agree the LNSC trails attract students to the beautiful Laurentian campus.
The relationship and the support that LNSC provides to the Laurentian University Varsity Nordic Ski Team should also be noted as a benefit to the University and its students. There have been a number of students who have decided to attend Laurentian University as a result of the varsity team and on-campus trails that are maintained by the club.
LNSC works closely with the coaching staff and the varsity team, providing funding opportunities and an annual operating donation. In return, the team has collaborated with the club by assisting with some programming and trail maintenance functions. The club regularly supports bids to host Ontario University Cross Country Ski Championships.
The green space surrounding Laurentian University is a sensitive environmental ecosystem. The current use of the LNSC trails and land enables maintenance of the balance required to ensure the sustainability of this natural resource. The LNSC trail system is part of the Lake Nepahwin watershed and any activity on this greenspace needs to consider the delicate relationship between the land and its use.
We all have a responsibility in terms of stewardship to support the protection of this valuable natural setting.
Laurentian University faces significant challenges in the years ahead. The natural lands surrounding the university have served as an effective attraction for both students and individuals and families looking to relocate to Sudbury. We strongly believe that the natural lands are an integral part of what Laurentian University represents to the community and students.
The trails and greenspace at Laurentian University are unique and are treasured by the community which has so strongly supported the University for many years. The sale of any of these lands would be in contradiction to all of this.
Our community is proud of our regreening efforts. We value the natural space at Laurentian University. The disposal of any of these lands would be an insult to the community and its residents. We trust that you understand the aforementioned significance of this greenspace and will make the right decision for our community and our future.
Chris Gore, President, LSNC
On behalf of the LNSC Executive and all members