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Regional district backs Shames indirectly

THE KITIMAT- STIKINE regional district has decided to give $100,000 to the local group wanting to buy the Shames Mountain ski facility.

THE KITIMAT- STIKINE regional district has decided to give $100,000 to the local group wanting to buy the Shames Mountain ski facility.

But only if the money is used for mountain operations and not to help buy the facility, directors have decided.

The directors further decided the money should only be used to help underprivileged children use the mountain.

The decision came last weekend after a presentation by My Mountain Co-op members urging the regional district to make a financial contribution toward buying the mountain.

The co-op has asked the Prince Rupert, Kitimat and Terrace councils and the regional district for $200,000 each.

So far both Terrace and Prince Rupert councils have turned down the request. Kitimat has yet to decide.

Terrace city councillor Carol Leclerc, who is one of two Terrace representatives on the regional district, said the $100,000 will come from an annual grant the provincial government provides in lieu of taxes.

That grant is worth $450,000 a year and represents the taxation value of Rio Tinto Alcan power lines going through the regional district's jurisdiction.

The regional district argued for years for the money, said Leclerc.

She did note the annual grant plan will end eventually.