Two resorts in the Toronto Ski Hills will remain open following a local government bailout. There had been fears that Centennial Park Ski and Snowboard Centre in Etobicoke and Earl Banes Ski and Snowboard Centre would be forced to close, but they will now be subsidised by the taxpayer following government intervention.

Resorts saved from closure
A committee meeting held on Monday voted in favour of providing nearly $600,000 in funding to keep both resorts functioning for the forthcoming winter season.

The decision is also significant as it marks a rare case of committee members overruling the advice of city staff - with one member revealing the ski areas need to stay open for the good of the whole community:

"Should we only allow skiing and snowboarding for rich kids? Absolutely not."

The decision has been welcomed by many local wintersports enthusiasts, although naturally others are a little more wary about the cost of keeping the resorts open to the taxpayer - especially after the resorts failed to attract any serious buyers.

The resorts will remain available to private investors at the right price, but will be subsidised by the local taxpayer for the time being.

[source: www.theglobeandmail.com]