Massive changes at Eastlink Park will make for an exciting winter in Whitecourt

The construction of the new feature up at Eastlink Park is coming along nicely. Last year, work began on the site where the T-bar was to be located and, even though COVID slowed down the progress, hard work and perseverance have got the crew on track. “The community has really helped us out with volunteers and in-kind work from companies. Without their help,” spoke Guye Lappin, “we could never be where we are at today.” He and Fire Chief Brian Wynn are both directors on the Eastlink Park board, and they spoke to the Whitecourt Press last week.

“We’ve got a good start on installing it. The towers are in, and all the piles for the bottom base and return station at the top, are also in. We’ve got half of our electrical put in too,” said Lappin. As a retiree, Lappin has been devoting full-time hours to the project, and Wynn sang his praise for it. “I’m amazed at the volunteerism of Guye. We are blessed to have him.”

Lappin has been working with Eastlink Park for three years now and initially joined as a ski instructor. He said that putting it the long hours to get the T-bar in place is a labour of love. “I have grandkids that ski, and my family still skis. When I watch the kids come here and have fun, that is what’s important to me.” He said that the goal is to see the community enjoy the hill thoroughly and to keep families in town on the weekends.

“Right now, kids tend to lose interest in the hill at about 14 years old or somewhere in there. We have made the terrain park tougher and better for them, and they are really enjoying it. We had lots of older teenagers in our terrain park this past season, and they had a good time. But some of the kids lose interest because it is a short hill. But when we expand it out this far, we are hoping to be able to have families come for the day and have kids from town have a place to come and spend the whole day,” explained Lappin. Wynn said that the difference is like night and day. “It’s going to quadruple our ski area. It also raises the skill level for skiers too. It is not just going to be green (beginner) runs anymore. It will be blue (intermediate) runs and maybe even some marginal black (expert) areas through the trees. It opens it up as a more challenging hill for the whole family.”

The T-bar hill is twice as long as the current hill, which means a longer run for skiers. Not only that, but the T-bar will get more enthusiasts up the hill faster. “The carpet lift can only move about 250 people an hour, and the T-bar can move 750 people in the same timeframe,” explained Lappin. The speed will help keep things flowing and keep skiers and snowboarders doing what they love and not spending as much time on a lift. Patrons will have to ski over to the carpet lift to make it up to the very top of the hill area.

“I think it’s pretty amazing that a small group of people can get such a big project going. As Guye said, the support from the community is amazing,” said Wynn. Community partners such as Strike Group, G Macritchie Forestry Services Ltd and Bob’s Pile Driving & Crane Service provided significant support with either clearing, welding or the piles that, by the way, are over 30 feet down into the ground. “If it wasn’t for these businesses, we could not afford to do it,” said Wynn. “We still have big costs coming, and we hope we can get the power cable from the top of the hill to the bottom, donated. That is a 330 metre run of cable, and it is a number one cable, so it’s a big ask.” He said that it would probably cost between $15,000 and $20,000. “If we want the T-bar operational, then that is a must-have for us.”

He added that they would save on other areas if needed. “We might not have lighting on that side of the hill for nighttime skiing this year, depending on costs. If we get a big donation and we can do it, then we will do it, but our main goal is getting the T-bar operational.” Lappin added to it by saying that other costs will undoubtedly pop up that they cannot see coming. “We’ve never put a T-bar together, so we don’t know. But there will definitely be many unknown costs.”  

Both men said that they are saving in as many areas as possible by utilizing volunteers and that in the coming weeks, they will be looking for more support from community members. “We will be asking for the public’s help to carry small logs, sticks and rocks off the new skiing area and from in the treed areas to help clear paths. We can still do the COVID spacing,” said Wynn, “and we can get a lot of work done.” He said to watch the Eastlink Park Facebook page for more info on how to help.

They are, of course, looking to welcome new sponsors to the Eastlink Park family. There are plenty of new paths to be sponsored and other opportunities too. “It’s all part of what keeps the hill going and the future of our hill,” said Lappin. Speaking of support, the Spring Sale was extended, and the end date is up in the air. The Eastlink Park board members are looking to have park passes sold at the AJMC sometime soon, and more details will be released on that as they finalize the plan. With so many new things coming up, it is an especially exciting time to be a pass holder at the park. “We’re pushing hard to be opened the first of December,” said Lappin. “This project is coming together with minimal funds and a group of people with the same vision. They all want to see this happen for our town.”