September 07, 2015 (Thunder Bay, ON) – The chief of Fort William First Nation hopes to make the idled Big Thunder ski hill an economic opportunity for his community reports the The Chronicle Journal. Chief Peter Collins presented Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne with briefing notes on the idea of transferring the Big Thunder land, which has been closed for nearly 20 years, to Fort William First Nation on Wednesday at a political summit between the provincial government and the Anishinabek Nation.

“We think it’s an economic development opportunity that will go a long way in our community,” Collins said. “Not only for our community, but for the city of Thunder Bay in partnership with them.”

The chief didn’t specify many details of the plans for the abandoned ski hill, but said they want to develop more features to the area like nature trails.

Collins also wants to partner with Lakehead University, Confederation College, the Township of Neebing and the Friends of Big Thunder volunteer group to redevelop the ski hill, which hosted the World Nordic Ski Championships in 1995…

Read the The Chronicle Journal report here.