…but if you try sometimes…you just might find…you get what you need!
Last year the Board was thrilled to announce that Mount Cain had been awarded a grant from the Province of BC which, combined with generous in kind support from some of our members and a measured top up from the MCAPS coffers, gave us a 1.2 million dollar budget to construct a grand vision. An all encompassing building that would house a New Lodge, Ski Patrol treatment centre, Ski Shop, and, most importantly, new bathrooms. The Building Committee, made up of Board members and builders, worked tirelessly to fulfill the vision with the budget at hand.
Alas, a combination of building codes and costs made it impossible for us to create the “New Lodge” of our dreams.
But, in true Cain style, and without missing a beat, the Building Committee came up with a new plan. We will go ahead with a new building in the same location – between the ticket booth and L1. Downstairs, our vision remains the same – there will be the new Ski Patrol facility with a much better treatment room and a fancy new Ski Shop where visitors can purchase some awesome merch while renting skis. In between, there will be lovely, sparkly clean, fresh smelling bathrooms. Upstairs will now be rental units. There is a huge demand for accommodations at Cain and by providing 6 sweet suites, we can offer more choices to our members.
What about a Lodge you ask? We are going to give the Old Lodge, originally built by students at North Island Secondary, a badly needed facelift. The thought of leaving the Old Lodge was always bittersweet – that building is like a scrapbook of Mount Cain, with walls that tell stories and keep secrets. And now we don’t have to. In a few years we will renovate the old lady and preserve the charm while gussying her up a bit.
Construction of the new building (which is yet to be named) will begin this summer and hopefully there will be new bathrooms (thank goodness!) for the 2022/23 season.
On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank the many people who’ve helped with this project so far. Scott and Scott Architects have the patience of saints and we promise not to ask for any more drawings. Lance and Stuart have shared their knowledge and wisdom. And all the members of the Building Committee for wrestling with hard problems and coming up with great solutions. This building is another chapter of Cain, a chapter that is still being written, so look for more news and updates in the months ahead.
It’s -3.5°C and there is 193cm on the Ridge Run. The forecast is for snow on Friday and Saturday and subzero temperatures.
See you on the slopes,
Jen
