A public meeting was held April 29 regarding a rezoning application from the Chalk Lake Road resort to accommodate a four-season recreation site. Activities requested, which officials from the resort previously admitted have already been offered for a number of years, include mountain biking, high ropes and wall-climbing.

The ski resort originally applied for a zoning amendment in April 2007 to allow the additional activities, which Lakeridge officials say are a big hit with school groups. Uxbridge officials following the April 29 meeting confirmed the Township charged Lakeridge for operating without zoning and the matter is before the courts, but no other details regarding the legal battle were made available.

John Tustian, area manager for the ski resort and speaker at the meeting, said the resort had complied with a bylaw department order to shut down its additional operations, but Township staff advised Lakeridge it could continue operations in question because the season was almost completed. Township staff could not confirm that claim following the meeting.

Frank Pollard, a resident at the meeting whose lot abuts the property where mountain biking takes place, suggested the Township is letting the matter slide because it fears a costly Ontario Municipal Board battle with Lakeridge. But Councillor Jack Ballinger shot back by saying, "This council stands on its own two feet... we will do what we think is best for the community."

Mr. Tustian explained the resort also complied with a recommendation with the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority to reduce the number of biking trails at the north portion of its property. Liz Howson, a Township planning consultant, said "the (Township) retained its own peer review to make sure concerns were addressed."

Worries came forward from residents at the meeting about what would come next if Uxbridge allows the activities to continue. "Lakeridge horn-swoggled the council and the ratepayers in the area," stated Jonathan Corbett in a letter to council. "They promised to confine their activities to winter sports and now they are applying for all year-round activities." One of the concerns from the public is that Lakeridge would begin allowing motorized vehicles on its trails in the future, but Mr. Tustian quickly shot that notion down. "Motorized vehicles don't fit with our plan for physical activity, we have no plans for motorized (activity) and it's not allowed (on sensitive land)."

Council is allowing written submissions from residents regarding the rezoning application until Monday, May 12. Council is to make a decision May 26 to determine if Lakeridge can move forward with this year's summer activities.