Company CEO says the need for a new lift is one of the main reasons for shutting down Cobble Hills this winter
GolfNorth says there's no way they would be able to operate Cobble Hills for a profit.
Earlier this week, the company announced they are ending winter operations north of Thamesford, citing expensive equipment upgrades.
VP and CEO of the company, Mike Garside tells Heart FM they inherited some antiquated equipment. "Our lift is quite old. As everyone knows that skis here, it's a quad-lift so that just adds to the cost. Our groomers are not the best. You know we inherited a lot of this equipment and it would cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars to get where we need to be."
Garside also points out many of the ski hill operations in the region are run by organizations who are not for profit. "At the end of the day, running and operating a ski hill in southern Ontario is getting tougher and tougher. Those that do it are not-for-profit and it's a little easier for them to sustain. With government regulations on safety of the hill and safety of the list...insurance...I just don't think anybody can make money doing it."
For the first time in 50-years, Cobble Hills will be silent this winter.
GolfNorth has put money into upgrading the clubhouse, and is planning on investing in new drainage for the golf course at Cobble Hills.

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