Ski Hill Will Wait To Fix Snow Maker
Recreation Options May See Growth at Silver Mountain
By Paul Gingras

The snow-making machine at Doc Holle's Silver Mountain broke down in mid-February, but the ski hill committee has recommended against spending $8,500 for new parts, owing to the approach of the end of snowmaking season, Moran Township Supervisor Jim Durm reported at the township meeting Wednesday, March 7.

Pump bearings seized, ruining the machine's pump, shaft, and coupling.

Jake Tamlyn, manager of Silver Mountain, suggested finding cheaper ways to fix the machine, such as locating used parts or cheaper suppliers, prior to next winter's recreation activities, Mr. Durm said. The snow machine is owned jointly by the township and the City of St. Ignace.

When the ski hill committee met to investigate the problem Tuesday, February 13, members also discussed the potential for a paintball course at Silver Mountain, possibly in the woods on the north side of the access drive.

Mr. Durm said the ski hill committee has two concerns: ensuring that the paintball area includes a buffer zone between it and the disc-golf course, and making sure the township is covered by insurance if someone gets hurt playing.

Mr. Tamlyn, Mr. Durm, Phil and Jon Ruegg, who would set up the course, and Steve DuFresne, who created the disc golf course, walked the property Friday, February 23, to consider the paintball idea. Mr. Durm presented the township board with a preliminary sketch at the March township meeting. The sketch included the potential area for paintball and the layout of the disc golf course.

Adding paintball to the list of recreational opportunities at the site would require an addendum to the current recreation agreement between the city and the township, Mr. Durm said, but he is confident that the city will support the prospect.

Silver Mountain is becoming "quite a recreation area," he added. This winter, Mr. Tamlyn created an ice skating rink on the south side of the ski shack. Attendance at the ski hill was down this winter, but on some occasions, it was busy enough to cause waiting patrons to spend time on the outdoor rink, Mr. Durm said.

A snowshoe race at Silver Mountain took place Sunday, March 11.