The co-chair of the Optimist Hill project anticipates a good season of recreation on the hill in Diefenbaker Park.
Joe Van’t Hof says because of COVID-19, people are staying home, so it will be a chance for people to check out what Saskatoon has to offer.
Although the hill closed last March because of the pandemic, organizers expect Optimist Hill will be up and running this winter, with safety protocols in place, which Van’t Hof says the government is working on right now.
The season will also see a second conveyor lift, which will complete the split between the ski, snowboard and tubing sections.
There is also a free toboggan area.
The Optimist Club of Saskatoon is waiting on some installation quotes and then work on the second lift should begin next month.
The chalet on the west side of the hill is where Van’t Hof expects most of the changes related to safety around COVID-19 will be, but he emphasizes that physical distancing will also be in place on top of the hill.