Mulmur investigates snow-making noise complaints

by Trina Berlo

Mulmur council invited Mansfield Ski Club to make a deputation at its Feb. 1 meeting in response to complaints alleging that the new snow-making equipment at the club is causing a disturbance.

Mountainview Road resident Leah Pressey began corresponding with the former general manager in November 2021 when the new snow-making equipment was installed and she and her husband Peter Yan noticed the new noise. They say they can hear the noise inside with the windows closed, making it challenging to sleep. Discussions as to how to remediate the problem went on for one year until ceasing in September 2022.

They have filed a complaint, along with other neighbours, who say they have measured the noise at almost 70 decibels outside the house and 51 decibels inside the homes, which is high for snow-making equipment that is supposed to be rated at a maximum of 60 decibels.

Mansfield Ski Club general manager Jason MacArthur said in the last two years the facility is using new air compressors, and other new equipment, and said it should be half as loud as it was when they were using the old equipment, which was prone to failure.

“We’re working through millions of dollars in upgrades every year to our snow-making plant and our snow-making facility to be able to make snow quicker and to be able to make snow more efficiently,” said MacArthur.

The goal is to have one metre of snow on each run, which usually happens by the end of January but with the unseasonably high temperatures in December, the club is still making snow.

Temperatures between -8˚C and -20˚C are ideal for making snow, said MacArthur, so it is usually done at night.

“If we did not have snow-making there would be zero ski resorts open right now in Ontario. We just do not get natural snow and we haven’t been getting great temperature to make snow. So snow-making is key to our business,” said MacArthur, adding that the club is celebrating its 60th anniversary.

He said Mansfield Ski Club employs more than 250 people peak season and makes real estate appealing to members.

“We need to be able to make snow when it’s cold, at a moment’s notice and that is the only way ski resorts will survive in Ontario,”said MacArthur.

“I just want to make it pretty clear that if there are any restrictions put on the club to not be able to make snow the club wouldn’t exist, it would close.”

“That’s a pretty firm position,” said Mayor Janet Horner. “I think when we have people who are concerned about noise you should probably listen and see if there’s something we both can do.”

Council is asking Mansfield Ski Club to report back with data and documentation, including their operations and sound levels.

“We can’t make decisions here just based on emotion, speculation and rumour,” said Horner. “As a council, we don’t know your industry well enough but we appreciate the fact that you do employ so many folks and that you are operating something that is a recreational facility within our township but are you within the limits of ski resorts?”

Deputy Mayor Earl Hawkins said noise comes with the territory when it comes to ski hills.

“In my time on council I think this is the first time we have ever had complaints about noise so I think it would be good to compare with other skiways,” said Hawkins.