THUNDER BAY – The Chapples sliding hill is closing for at least a month in preparation for the start of construction of the city’s new indoor tennis facility.
As a result, the popular sliding hill will also be relocated to a new location south of Chapples Drive and west of the overflow parking lot.
The soil from the existing hill will be moved, the work expected to take the entire month of January.
It’ll be bigger and better in its new location, said Werner Schwar, the city's supervisor of parks and open space planning.
The new hill will be taller and offer greater wind protection, making it more comfortable on windy days,” Schwar said. “The cost to relocate the hill is being covered under the grant funding allocated to the indoor tennis facility.”
In order to facilitate construction, the Chapples Drive loop will be closed to vehicles from about 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., though it will reopen during non-work hours.
Pedestrians will still be able to use the road at all times, but are asked to use caution in the area.
The new sledding hill is expected to open in February, though it will be weather dependent.
