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Hardwood battles back after blaze

Oro-Medonte ski facility reopens trails after Christmas Day fire

A popular destination for cross-country skiers is slowly getting back on track after a Christmas Day fire.

An electrical fire Dec. 25 in the main chalet at Hardwood Ski and Bike forced the closure of the Oro-Medonte business, interrupting its busy winter season and leaving staff out of work.

Saturday, it was back to business — sort of.

Hardwood reopened the trails at its Old Barrie Road property, but the chalet was out of bounds for skiers. That area is not expected to be up and running again for three to six months.

Saturday's reopening of the trails was the first of three phases, explained general manager Gareth Houben. It essentially required skiers to use their vehicles as their base of operations, as the chalet is where they would have stored their equipment or other belongings. However, a small "warming hut" was made available to visitors on the weekend.

Phase 2 will see the creation of a space that will serve as a temporary chalet until Hardwood can get to Phase 3 — reopening entirely.

When Houben learned of the fire, the first priority was "the safety of the staff and everyone involved."

"You can't prepare for something like this," he said.

However, the response from the community, including offers of help and donations from other businesses, "is overwhelming."

"The offers of help have been countless. So many people want to do so much," he said.

The fire is being seen as a bump in the road — albeit an expensive one that came at a most inopportune time — and Houben is confident Hardwood will land on its skis before long.

"I have no doubt in my mind that we will be able to rebound 100 per cent," he said. "It's affecting us right now, but I do not see an issue with us recovering fully and, in fact, I think it will propel us forward. We're so motivated and driven to get going."

He expressed his gratitude to everyone who has helped during the past two weeks, and to skiers for their patience.


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Nathan Taylor

About the Author: Nathan Taylor

Nathan Taylor is the desk editor for Village Media's central Ontario news desk in Simcoe County and Newmarket.
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