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Loretto Ski Shop gets a six-month reprieve from local council’s demolition order

April 18, 2019   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

The Loretto Ski Shop has avoided the wrecking ball once again – at least for another six months. 

Located on the Third Concession in Adjala-Tosorontio, the shop is a go-to place for many local skiers and snowboarders who like the service and the inventory they carry. They also have a lot of out of town customers who specifically visit the area to go to the ski shop.

However the building was slated for demolition after a new owner purchased the property in 2004 and it was severed into three lots with the condition that the shop was to be demolished once a new house was completed.

The demolition was never carried and Loretto Ski Shop owner, Linas Stripinis has been operating the shop for 12 years while having no knowledge of the demolition order until last fall.

The building is also used as a residence with Linas living on the second floor.

When the Town Council started scrutinizing properties in the area, it was realized that the demolition order was in place but never carried out.

Originally the property was supposed to be torn down on December 31, but that was postponed. 

The shop had a successful ski season this year and is still fully loaded with ski and snowboards, accessories, and ski related clothing.

The demolition was pushed back to April 15.

“A postponement is the least I can hope for. I want to stay here,” Mr. Stripinis said. “It’s been 53 years for us here now. I think we deserve to be grandfathered in. We’re backed by a lot community support. The building is in good shape, it just needs a renovation.”

The Loretto Ski centre was opened in 1965 and closed after the 2001 season, however the ski lodge was turned into the current retail shop.

Mr. Stripinis has looked into the possibility of relocating but has not found a suitable location.

He planned to attend an April 8 council meeting to plead his case and was backed by supporters who want to see the shop saved from the wrecking ball.

During the council meeting, Adjala-Tosorontio council decided to give him more time so he can look for a new store. A resolution was passed to have him and the property owner meet with mayor Floyd Pinto, and the chief administrative officer, to sign off on a new agreement that will delay the demolition order for six months.

A stipulation says that if the property owner doesn’t agree to the terms, the demolition can be carried out immediately.

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