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New ski lights coming

A long planned upgrade to the Winter Ski lighted trail system is ready to go.
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The Nechako Nordics are delighted to announce a long planned upgrade to the Winter Ski lighted trail system is ready to go.

Paul Collard

Nechako Valley Sporting Association

The Nechako Nordics are delighted to announce a long planned upgrade to the Winter Ski lighted trail system is ready to go.

It has taken two years to get the planning done, and secure funding, but a site visit with J Mann contractors of Ft St James took place this week.

The project consists of changing over 40 old streetlights to modern energy saving LED lighting on the existing 1.5k lighted ski loop at the NVSA grounds on Quail Rd just West of Vanderhoof.  The existing lights have been in use since 1993 and are inefficient and obsolete.

There is also a 550m extra loop to be added. Sonya Zuravinski, ski director for the Nechako Valley Sporting Association of which the Nordics are a section, said “This will allow the club to expand the number of skiers and type of terrain we can use all winter”

The big bonus is that all the wiring can now be put underground, and constant breakdowns due to falling trees will be a thing of the past. In addition there will be considerable energy saving and reduced carbon footprint for a sport that is already one of the most eco-friendly.

Funding partners for this $100, 000 infrastructure upgrade are the Nechako Kitamaat Development Fund and the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako Gas Refund.

It will be great to see this over 20 year old facility improved. The cross-country skiing and biathlon programs are the only outdoor Winter sports available in the Nechako Valley, and are run entirely with non-government funding.