Some insight to all my fellow BOS brothern and sistern.
Facts:
-FVWSC is currently being threatened by a cable park proposal.
-We need all the support we can please send letters as Corey has asked.
-Join our fanpage. www.facebook.com/savethefvwsc
-Proposal has not gone past the point of an idea and official proposals haven't even began.
-The land was donated to the city by the Dyck family.
-95% chance the city will turn down the idea and won't even go to proposal stage because the land was donated on the basis that it be used for all citizens enjoyment not as a grounds for private business to run a for profit organization.
-The site is not optimal for cable park use. Many other things play into this ie. location, changing water levels, cost of upgrades to facility to make city happy, to long of cable runs, not suited for beginners, etc.
-Large percentage of cable park users don't have a car or license (based on research from other cable park owners/operators. This site is no where near a bus route.
-FVWSC is a non-profit organization.
-Anyone can join FVWSC, many membership options are available to meet everyone's budget.
-Towed water sports aren't cheap.
-Public nights available July and August. $30 a set (6 pass in the course or 20 mins of ride time).
-Cable parks north of Central & Southern California, Florida & Texas don't make money.
-Lakes don't freeze here so it can't be utilized as a snowboard park in the winter.
-Based on lake specs and proposed cable park set up this would not be making this site more inclusive but exclusive to wakeboarders/wake skiers only. No way to slalom (who would want to anyway), no disabled access, no barefoot, no ski jumping, very difficult to learn on, no boom. etc.
-No other private ski site with in 1000KM (600 miles) in Canada.
-Anyone can drop in anytime just contact a club member. All we ask is that after 3 visits you join as a casual member ($200 bucks for the year)
-FVWSC is not against cable parks we just feel that they should go build a site somewhere else.
Opinion:
-If cable was installed talk of 2 hr ride pass to be $30ish dollars. Perceived value is higher because you are able to ride for 2 hrs. Actual ride time based on July & August (peek season) would be similar to 20-30 mins. actual ride time it just is spread out over 2 hrs. based on 30-40 people at the park and 6-9 max ride capacity etc.
Everyone seems to always be so focused on the cost and making it cheaper blah, blah, blah. I am all for growing the sport that's why we have public days and organizations like INT League. Look at other options like a boat share program, etc. If you look at the cost of boat ownership and then look at the cost of beginning a club member. I could ski at the club for 20 years before ever paying off what it would cost me to even own a used boat. So as far as affordability goes people need to give there head a shake. Everything costs money, something more then others. Life is full of choices, you are free to make yours. I have made mine and I choose to ski/barefoot.
I don't feel a 3-event site should be closed down just so someone can "try" to make money and "appeal" to a larger audience.
There is a council meeting scheduled for Feb 21 at 430 pm at Abbotsford City Hall. The more that attend the better. We hope for a final decision on that day in favor of shutting down any ideas of entertaining a cable park be built at alber dyck park. We have volunteered to help the people leading the cable park venture team to find a better more suitable site.
Thanks for the help BOS'ers. If I forgot anything or you have a questions please ask.
Cheers!