While most of us are curled up in our warm beds on wintry Saturday mornings, Chris Gore is at the Laurentian Nordic ski trails with a bunch of chilly children showing them the basics of cross-country skiing. He is teaching them to love the sport as he does, and his passion warms up the frigid air.

One of his former “Jackrabbits” is Devon Kershaw, an Olympian. Gore is manager of community partnerships for the City of Greater Sudbury and supports projects that encourage citizens to live active lifestyles. He practises what he preaches, so the lines between his day job and his commitment to volunteering for recreational activities such as Jackrabbit skiing and coaching soccer, are blurred.

He worked in an official capacity with the citizens who wanted to revitalize Adanac Ski Hill, but he also volunteered his time to make the project—one that had many opponents—a success.

“(Gore) worked alongside volunteers on several recreation projects throughout Greater Sudbury, providing the skills, knowledge and leadership necessary to bring these projects to a successful completion,” says Jim Thompson, one of the citizens who championed Adanac Ski Hill. “Chris also took an active role in our community fundraising campaign.”

Hard work, dedication and tempered leadership that inspires others to reach their potential has earned Gore many friends and admirers. More than 25 letters were received to support his nomination for a Community Builders Award.

Gore grew up in Montreal and moved to Sault Ste. Marie to study forestry in college. He fell in love with Northern Ontario and, in particular, cross-country skiing.

Not a high school “jock”—“I was too busy partying,” he says—he developed an interest in sports and recreation when he lived in the Sault.

He was hired as the adult program director at the YMCA in Sudbury in 1985. A few years later, he moved down the street to Tom Davies Square to work in leisure services.

His current job requires skill and tact to bring sometimes diverse stakeholders together to ensure the success of projects such as the ski hill, the Minnow Lake Skate Park, and the Laurentian Track Renewal (in time for the 2010 Ontario Summer Games).

Gore is applauded for going to bat for the Rainbow Routes Association to help the group deal with the red tape involved when developing trails on city property.

He has helped out behind the scenes in numerous recreation initiatives such as the Bridge of Nations project, the Olympic Torch Run this past January, and the future Northern Water Sports Centre at Bell Park.

Kevin D. Joblin, who was involved in developing the Minnow Lake Skate Park, says it would not have been built without Gore.

“Without his dedication and ambition to complete this project, there simply wouldn’t be a Minnow Lake Skate Park. Chris put in so much of his time to meet with community groups looking to become involved with the project. Whether they are skateboarders, bikers or rollerbladers, anyone who comes to this park owes a big thank you to Chris Gore.”

The city manager keeps in great shape, and whenever he can, he cycles to work. One of his personal goals is to live to be 100 or older, like his hero, Herman “Jackrabbit” Smith-Johannsen.

The father of cross-country skiing in Canada lived to be 111.

Vicki Smith, who nominated Gore for the Community Builders Award, sums up his contributions to the community this way:

“Chris is more than a municipal employee doing his job...He has worked countless hours with sports and recreation groups, Community Action Networks and cultural groups to accomplish goals many would have deemed impossible. The results of his dedication will be enjoyed by generations to come.”

Gore, who is the proud father of two sons, Sam, 11, and Thomas, 14, is humble about this praise. “One person can’t do these things by themselves...but I take a challenge and can’t let go.”