Almost three months after a devastating Christmas Day fire ripped through its main chalet, Hardwood Ski and Bike is still struggling to get back on track.
Multiple complications, convoluted negotiations with its insurance company and myriad other issues have conspired to road-block efforts to begin rebuilding the critical infrastructure at the popular Oro-Medonte Township cross-country ski and mountain-biking facility.
Despite all that, general manager Gareth Houben says the summer season will forge ahead as planned.
“As far as we’re concerned, all summer events and programs are a go,” Houben said during a noon-hour conference call with journalists Tuesday. He said all services and offerings cyclists enjoyed a year ago will be back this summer.
However, he noted, things “will look a little different.”
The facility’s former ‘wax building’ is being renovated and will be transformed into a guest services centre. Inside will be limited retail offerings, a bike service area and ‘grab-and-go’ snacks. “That is where customers will go when they come to Hardwood. That will be their first point of contact,” said Houben.
Beside that building will be a custom sea container that will house a “full rental fleet of mountain bikes.”
The former performance centre/house will be renovated into a new staff headquarters and its main level and basement will be used for storage, programming and as a multi-use space.
In addition, a large tent will be erected that is “intended as a day lodge-type space” that will serve as a dry shelter area for visitors that will include tables and chairs.
“We feel pretty good about summer opening,” said Houben. “It will look a little different but, ultimately, everything we usually deliver will be there.”
While eager to welcome bikers, Houben admits the last three months have proven challenging. While staff were able to keep the trails open for skiers, they’ve also been working doggedly to replace what was lost in the fire.
The blaze started in the cafeteria – the main component of a building that also had an older, east wing (which included the front desk reception area, retail space and members lounge) and a newer, west wing.
The insurance company developed a ‘scope of work’ for the west wing. “That is, essentially, what is required to repair the building,” Houben explained.
However, it was “grossly inaccurate” so Hardwood engaged its own consultant to develop its own scope of work. “Now, that needs to get approved by the insurance company before repairs can start,” he said. If they don’t sign off, the matter moves to an ‘umpire’ who will make a final decision.
“We’re prepared, with a contractor, to start work but, in essence, we need approval,” said Houben of the frustrating process.
The fate of the east wing is even less clear. It may not be salvageable. Most people who have seen the devastated interior believe it would be “way easier to knock it down and rebuild,” Houben said. “But, ultimately, the insurance company writes the cheque and they’re not necessarily in agreement.”
The process has been enlightening in all the wrong ways, said Houben. “In my opinion, (the insurance company) is not there to help us. They want to write the smallest cheque.”
There are other complications. The insurance company-selected firm that demolished the cafeteria may have damaged some septic holding tanks and impacted the facility’s septic controls, which are regulated by the Ministry of Environment. That triggered an “immediate review” of the system.
In addition, because of the facility’s proximity to an old landfill site, any construction has to be approved by the County of Simcoe. Hardwood has engaged a consultant – one of many it is working with – to complete work on a mandated "D4 study."
“Basically, it’s an environmental study,” said Houben, noting it involves a groundwater survey, testing of methane levels and other elements. Once Hardwood submits its study to the county, another consulting firm has to complete a peer review. Then it’s up to county council to make a final determination.
“That’s why things are taking so long,” said Houben, who noted many people have wondered why they haven’t started rebuilding. “A lot of this is out of our control.”
With that in mind, he said “all options are still on the table.” He said they could potentially rebuild what was there or build something entirely different. “We need more information from our insurance company to make an informed decision.”
While that painful process meanders on, staff are working hard to ensure the bike trails are ready to welcome cyclists this summer.
"In the meantime, we are taking the necessary steps to be open for bike season.”
