Souris Striders Ski Club launches lottery for survival

Members of an eastern P.E.I. ski club are raising money this summer to help keep their club going next winter.

The Souris Striders Ski Club has been around for several decades, but membership hasn't been going well recently.

In 1991, about 500 people were part of the club. Lately, membership is down to 75.

In attempt to raise funds, awareness and possibly memberships, the club has launched a lottery with about 30 prizes from local businesses.

"We're bumping along the bottom the whole time. Insurance is obviously very heavy because we have to insure people when they're out skiing and then we have property insurance for the groomer, the building," said spokespersonArch Wilson.

"We have property taxes, the heating is just a colossal bill in the winter and then repairs to the groomer, which was the big crisis last year. It's those sort of bills that we, you know, that we can't cope with."

Winners will be announced in September.