Environment and Conservation
August 13, 2015

Provincial Parks Support Healthy Families and Communities

Partnership Ensures Continued Success of Butter Pot Ski Program

A Memorandum of Understanding signed today formalizes the partnership between the Provincial Government and the Avalon Nordic Ski Club to deliver the cross-country ski program at Butter Pot Provincial Park.

“This Memorandum of Understanding reaffirms the Provincial Government’s commitment to the cross-country ski program at Butter Pot Provincial Park and recognizes our important partnership with the Avalon Nordic Ski Club in delivering it. Increasing outdoor family recreation and interest in provincial parks and protected areas is also one of the goals of Live Here, Work Here, Belong Here, A Population Growth Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador, 2015-2025. I thank the club for its commitment to ensuring that skiers have access to top quality trails, as well as educational and training programs, and offer best wishes for the program’s continued success.”
- The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) provides a formal acknowledgement of the respective responsibilities of delivering a program of cross-country skiing within Butter Pot Provincial Park. The term of the MOU is for five years and commits both parties to joint communication to inform and educate the public about the club’s programs and to grow and develop the program on a joint basis.

“Promoting healthy living and outdoor recreation is important to our government and we are pleased to support the Avalon Nordic Ski Club. The ski club is to be commended for their work in delivering a superb cross-country ski program at Butter Pot Provincial Park. During the winter, the park is enjoyed by cross-country skiers and other winter sports enthusiasts from all over the Avalon Peninsula.”
- Tom Hedderson, MHA for Harbour Main

A cross-country ski program was first introduced at Butter Pot Provincial Park in 1973 and has continued uninterrupted to the present day. Since the Avalon Nordic Ski Club moved to the park in 2000 the trail system has expanded and new trail grooming equipment has been purchased.

"We are happy the Provincial Government has shown this confidence in Avalon Nordic's ability to grow the sport of cross-country skiing on the Avalon Peninsula. Our club is one of only three across Canada to be awarded AltaGas's support to hire a full-time head coach for three years. Butter Pot Park is the ideal location for the additional training and competition this will allow us to offer. Through partnerships such as this, the club hopes to achieve its objectives of creating cross-country ski teams at the junior and high school level, and creating healthier citizens by encouraging winter fitness, and national recognition of our youth through competitive performance."
- Colin Taylor, President, Avalon Nordic Ski Club

Further information on the Avalon Nordic Ski Club may be found at www.avalonnordic.ca .

QUICK FACTS:

• The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation, today joined representatives from the Avalon Nordic Ski Club to sign a Memorandum of Understanding in support of the cross-country ski program at Butter Pot Provincial Park.
• The Memorandum of Understanding provides a formal acknowledgement of the respective responsibilities of delivering a cross-country skiing program within Butter Pot Provincial Park.
• The park attracts hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts including skiers, snowshoers, and hikers from all over the Northeast Avalon.
• Avalon Nordic is one of only three clubs in Canada recently awarded the AltaGas Club Coaching Support Program Award. This provides support from AltaGas for the club to hire a full-time head coach for three years.
• Live Here, Work Here, Belong Here, A Population Growth Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador, 2015-2025 is the Provincial Government’s 10-year plan to support individuals and families. The strategy will ensure investments and programs are aligned to encourage individuals to choose Newfoundland and Labrador to live, work and raise a family.

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