The Sault Seal Recreation Area is set to welcome in anxious snow lovers this Saturday at 1 p.m. as they officially open for the season.
Despite the area seeing a few feet of snow over the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, city officials could not open it up due to the lack of employees. At that time, only four people were hired and the recreation area needs seven to operate.
The recreation area will open Saturday with eight employees, which is lower than desired. The city would like double that amount.
It is home to a heated chalet that has been updated inside and out including new vending machines.
Kyler Reattoir is the supervisor and in charge of maintenance at the recreation area. He said they also made an investment in new tubes.
"We have double tubes for young children. If parents do not want to send down their young children all by themselves in a singe tube, they can use a double tube to go down the hill with them," Reattoir said.
Despite the 15 inches of snow the area received in the first four days of January, the runs are not in the best shape.
"There is still a lot of grass showing, even with the latest snow the wind blew around. But we have been grooming it with the snow groomer and the four-wheeler and getting it in as best shape as possible," Reattoir added.
The snowboarding hill will be open, but the tow rope will not be in use until further notice.
For the recreation area to remain open, the weather must cooperate and they must have the required number of people to work.
"We are going to operate as long as we can as long as the conditions hold. It's fun work for the employees. You are outside with a bunch of kids," Reattoir said.
He added that they are still looking for dependable, fun people to work at the recreation area.
Sault Seal Recreation Area is located at 2601 Minneapolis St. (behind Guido's Pizza on Ashmun Street)
Click here for hours and pricing.
