Councillors to decide Monday on Finn Hill improvements

If city staff get their way at Monday's City Council meeting, a motorized 'magic carpet' lift or tube tow won't be among improvements approved for Finn Hill.

Councillors will be asked to approve installation of natural berms at the popular tobogganing spot, and to prepare cost estimates for a year-round washroom facility and better lighting to be considered during next year's budget deliberations.

But frequent sledder and accessibility activist Charlie Lachapelle Smith's suggestion for some kind of assistance getting up the hill doesn't appear to be on table at Monday's meeting.

"Recent research by staff indicates that tube hills located in other locations in Ontario are largely privately run with fees attached for usage," Brent Lamming, the city's director of community services, says in a report to Mayor Provenzano and councillors.

"Municipalities focus on providing tobogganing opportunities, which is in alignment with providing a healthy active lifestyle," Lamming says.

"Municipalities primarily do not operate tows and motorized lifts for tobogganing and leave this to the private sector. In general, municipalities support tobogganing opportunities in terms of parking and ensuring hills in park locations remain safe for use."

Cost of a 'magic carpet' installation is estimated at $265,000.

A tube tow would cost about $170,000.

Either idea would require $27,000 in labour costs.

If City Council wants to look further into lift assistance at Finn Hill, city staff are recommending Elliott Park as a better location, based on length of run capability there.

Lamming reports that three improvements have already been implemented at Finn Hill and a fourth is now underway:

• fencing at the base of the hill was identified as a safety priority and installation is complete. Permanent fence at the bottom of the hill replaces the snow fencing that has been used in the past. The sliding run-off is longer than what had existed prior
• during the Black Road reconstruction, light poles were installed and lighting was adjusted, providing some additional lighting illuminating the base of the hill and the parking lot
• the parking lot has been expanded by one third to provide additional parking year round for both Finn Hill and the Hub Trail
• as part of the construction, underground services were installed to the parking lot area that will allow for access to power, water and sewer. This will support any future washroom facility onsite

Lamming says city staff are working with the Sault Cycling Club to determine how the single-track trail will tie into both the Hub Trail and parking lot access at Finn Hill through the existing Hub Trail.

"Staff are recommending that a bicycle skills park which has been researched in the past would be a longer-term option for the site that would require further public consultation before any recommendations are made."

"In addition, staff are assisting efforts for the creation of a bike skills park at Kinsmen Park and are recommending that those efforts be complete before considering other locations."

"Staff is also reviewing park signage at the site to reflect new branding and wayfinding for the location."

Lamming is recommending that additional community feedback by obtained regarding future steps in the Finn Hill area.

Monday's City Council meeting will be livestreamed on SooToday starting at 4:30 p.m.