Shiny roadsters will roll up to Marmot Basin at the beginning of April to raise money for children with autism. 

Klaus Maier, owner of Bavaria BMW in Edmonton, will display three BMWs the weekend of April 4 and 5 at Marmot Basin to catch some attention. A silent auction will also take place in support of Edmonton’s new treatment centre for Children’s Autism Services.

All funds raised will be matched by a government donation, said Maier, who said he’s interested in the cause because of his employees who have children with autism.

Maier, who has already donated about $1 million in cash and land for the treatment centre, said he feels “there is a huge need for them to get a treatment centre going for Northern Alberta,” adding that one in every 160 children in Edmonton suffers from autism.

The silent auction will include items such as local hotel stays, meals at restaurants and recreational activities, said Jasperite Valerie Grunwald, who’s helping to organize the initiative.

With $2 million of the $5 million needed to build a centre already raised, Maier said the organization is hoping to “start construction this year, before the summer,” with hopes of being open by the end of 2010.

A representative from Children’s Autism Services will be at the silent auction, which will end Sunday afternoon (April 5) so people may claim their prizes before leaving the hill.