WATERVILLE -- The city's newest recreation area could become a hot spot for cross-country skiing in the area this winter.

That at least is the hope of the Central Maine Ski Club, a group formed this fall that is offering cross-country ski programs for children K-8.

"We need safe, fun places for kids to congregate," said Caroline Mathes, one of the organizers of the ski club. "We are hoping this will be one of those places."

The recreation area, located between North Street and Upper Main Street, runs along Messalonskee Stream, providing a quiet and scenic place for a variety of activities year-round.

City officials envision the land, purchased from Colby College, as an ideal spot for cross-country skiing, biking, running, hiking and walking.

Matt Skehan, the city's parks and recreation director, sees the ski program as an opening attraction.

"The idea with the Central Maine Ski Club," he said, "is to get kids and families out there as soon as possible so we can get the word out."

Initially, children in the program will have use of a loop course, about 2 to 2.5 miles in length, that begins and ends at the access road and loops into a field and the woods beyond that field.

A more elaborate course, about 3 miles in length that runs along Messalonskee Stream, is in the works, although the financing is still being secured to make it a reality, Skehan said.

Until that time, Mathes said the shorter loop should be more than adequate for young skiers.

"It is going to be pretty flat," she said of the trail.

The Central Maine Ski Club has partnered with the New England Nordic Ski Association. The $30 program registration fee includes membership in the ski association.

Sign-up is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 2 at Alfond Youth Center.

At that time, parents have the option of renting cross-country equipment for the season at $45 a child through the Maine Winter Sports Center.

"The beauty of this program," Mathes said, "is if your kid grows during the season, you can upgrade the equipment."

For the rental fee, participants get high-quality skis, boots, bindings and poles to take home and use.

The youth program, which runs from Jan. 20 to Feb. 26, is divided into three age groups: grades K-2 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday; grades 3-5 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; and grades 6-8 from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.

Mathes, moreover, will lead a women's training group at noon Wednesday and Cote a group around 4 p.m.

For more information, visit the Central Maine Ski Club Web site at www.centralmaineski club.org.