Release Date: June 29, 2005

City of Lakes Nordic Ski Foundation Advisory

The City of Lakes Nordic Ski Foundation’s effort to make snowmaking happen in Wirth Park is meeting with great success. High school and club teams have been enthusiastic about the project, with Gear West Ski Shop (more than $6,000) and St. Louis Park High School (more than $4,000 raised) leading the charge. (See the on-line donation page of www.wirthwinter.com for more details).

Because of the widespread contributions from the ski industry, the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board has recognized that this Project is important to a large group of individuals. The Park Board has now agreed to move forward with plans to add snowmaking capability (upgraded well, pond, pumphouse and snow-guns) this fall. The Park Board and the Foundation are currently finalizing details on an agreement to make this happen. This means a loop of guaranteed snow at Wirth Park this year!

There is a catch. The Foundation needs to raise $100,000 – or an additional $47,000 - by mid-August. The Foundation is confident that this will happen, but needs the ski community to step up. In order to give skiers a chance to actively contribute to the process, the Foundation has initiated two events: the City of Lakes Loppet Roll for Snow and the City of Lakes Loppet Run for Snow II. (See wirthwinter.com for more details).

In order to add lights and snowmaking capability on the entire 3.3 kilometer loop called for in the Wirth Winter Recreation Area Master Plan, the Foundation will have to raise additional sums. The likely completion date for the longer loop with lights and additional snowmaking guns is Fall 2006.