Management Meeting Update

As I see it, if we can make Tower 14 appealing enough, our shift Patrollers will rest, eat, warm up at Mountain Top instead of lodge to better service the mountain, it would be better for all concerned.

One significant aspect here; The existing location of Tower 14 does not work. It is too low on Bullet side to properly service Carousel side or Alpine Peak. It also is nearly inaccessible with more than a foot of snow, it chokes the offload area, The power system is sub-standard, it is crowded and we can not possibly get a potential patient in there when needed. Bill has offered to clear, level and move Tower 14 to a spot higher on the peak. Bill and and I will go on a mountain tour in a couple of weeks to get a better feel for where. Chopper has offered to help upgrade the Power System.

This is a temporary solution. A concerted effort to upgrade and build a new larger Tower 14 will be needed over the coming season(s) to achieve this goal. In fact, we may need to invest some money this season to fix the roof.

I made a decision last year that 20% of all fundraisers would go to reward the patrollers that participated in the specific event. Bill really likes this idea... also, I am working on ideas to reward Patrollers that meet the required minimum of shifts. These rewards will be applied against next year's fees. Bill is working with Management and the Board to provide additional incentives. Details are still be worked out, but part of the requirement will be that we continue to work internally to provide the incentives. Please stay informed for this important development going forward.

Perceived and real complications between Management needs and CSPS services will be minimized by a clearer understanding of our roles and responsibilities during shift hours. First and Foremost, if a Non-Rostered Volunteer shows up at the hill, he will not be requested to provide any maintenance duties. If a Volunteer shows up during a Paid Shift, he will not be requested to provide maintenance duties. They may volunteer to help, but it will not be an expectation placed on them. In addition to this, the first responsibility of all CSPS members are to provide Patrolling and First Aid activities. Non Safety related maintenance duties will be assessed by the Shift Leaders in conjunction with the on-site Poley Manager, it will then be the responsibility of the Shift Leader to assign the requested Duties.

I proposed new Signage, indicating that all "OPEN" areas of the mountain are ski areas except where they are clearly marked with Snow fence, rope and/or Tape. I then proposed we tape off the Ravine, Gulley and Chair Line from Tower 1 to 3.

This will allow all treed areas, cross trails and access trails to be skied. A possible slight increase in injury may be unavoidable, however we will all but eliminate our "Police" like mentality. Nearly all other Ski Areas in Canada are adopting this.

The T-Bar is now gone and the top of Chute and Bullet has been opened up extensively. The old T-Bar line will be allowed to go "Natural" and not be groomed. The Snow gun tower is remaining and a new permanent fence will be erected. The Race Team Shack is now out of the parking lot and at the bottom of the old T-Bar Line. Also, the Half Pipe is gone. This area at the bottom of Snow White will be a Natural and Groomed Mogul Run. Also, there are plans to install Rails and Jumps on the side of trails at the top of Alpine, either going down Phil's or Orion's Way. Hopefully this will stop the pulling of logs out of the trail side. Nothing in the works for a Kid's Park for this year anywhere. Bill made mention that he would like to open Alpine Lift within 30 minutes of Quad. This is not definite yet.

Poley has committed to 2 in Season BBQ's and maybe more. We have been given the King of the Hill again. With last year's experience, I am hoping we can staff and stock it more effectively and raise even more money. Poley will also donate some significant prizes if we want to run some sort of Raffle or Ticket draw through the season. We also have 5 seat back signs to sell. The cost of these are $150 plus HST for sign production and then rental costs ($250 prior to October 1st and $300 afterwards) This is a potential pure profit of $1,250 to the Patrol if we sell all 5. We also have $625 coming from the 5 we co-sold last year. This means an annual income of $1,875 each year the signs re-new.

Bill has asked us to provide some members for the Oktoberfest weekend. It is October 24th and 25th. They plan on running the Alpine Lift up and people will then walk down or ride a hay wagon. He needs us there in case their is a need to evacuate the lift.

We are hosting both the Fundy Cup First Aid Challenge (Due to us winning last year) and the Atlantic West Division Conference and Competition (ADC). So I will need some volunteers to step up and help organize these events. I would also like to see us host the Patrollers and their Families a couple of times this year.. organize some events and private BBQ on the lookout.

I have been asked by the Race Club to come in and have a talk or series of talks with Race Club members regarding Skiers Responsibility Code and Safety Issues. I expect we will once again arrange talks during March Break for the Ski School. Possibly the Christmas Camp as well. I have also been given permission to send out a one page summary of the Poley CSPS and our anticipated Capital Campaign to replace Tower 14 with the Annual Membership Renewal Drive.

From this point forward, any complaining, concerns or blow-ups in regards to CSPS or Poley Management Procedures must be directed to me or the Board. I would rather the bunch of us demonstrate a positive team attitude at all times. Negative attitudes must stop. It breeds contempt and leads to non-returning patrollers. We also need to build bridges of credibility with Management and the Public. I am counting on all of you to lead by example. If you have something you really don't agree with, please come to me or any of the APL's about it.

I would really like to encourage all Instructors and Senior Patrollers to take 1st though 3rd year patrollers under their wings.. let them take lead on Code 2's, let them interface with the public, involve them in safety decisions.. etc..

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Poley Mountain CSPS

Recent Discussions were had with Poley Mountain regarding the upcoming season. This is a summary of various topics and how it impacts you. All of these points were sent to the Board and Executive for input