On Tuesday evening, October 15, city council approved a recommendation from the Economic Development Committee, to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Elliot Lake Snowbirds Snowmobile Club.
The Snowbirds were established in 1973 and celebrated their 50th anniversary last year.
The 5-year agreement allows the club to use the trails located on municipal property. The agreement is required for the club as a member of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC).
‘District club of the year’ - Robitaille
At an October 1 committee meeting, Ec. Dev. Manager, Steve Antunes, explained, “the club has volunteered and they take fantastic care of our trails to groom our trails in the community.” The MOU “cements the agreement between us and the club.”
“There is no cost to the municipality [it] doesn’t cost us anything to get into this agreement,” he said.
According to information on the City’s website, the Snowbirds maintain approximately 300 kilometres of snowmobile trails.
At the committee meeting, club president, Gerry Robitaille, also mentioned that the club "won district club of the year for the past two seasons.”
Membership in the OFSC provides $15 million in liability insurance
Antunes explained that the OFSC membership, “provides $15 million liability coverage on the trails to registered riders.”
“And I’m going to double down on that statement: To registered riders,” Antunes said.
‘The groomer doesn’t run on unicorn tears’ – Antunes
Both Antunes and Robitaille stressed the importance of purchasing a permit for trail use for rider liability protection. And after stressing the protection advantages, Antunes noted, the permit dollars go to the club.
“The groomer doesn’t run on unicorn tears. It runs on fuel and that [permit fee] helps to pay for the staff, the fuel, the groomer and the equipment.”
Antunes: “Of the roughly 3,000 snow machines in our municipality, 400 permits were sold. That’s a shocking number.”
OPP support this year
Robitaille also informed the committee that the OPP will provide support this year.
“They’re going to send a stop team to Elliot Lake … this coming winter. And they’re from out of town. There will be no freebies for anybody.”
“You can be charged with trespassing and also not having a permit.”
Robitaille noted that the exception for use of the snowmobile trail for ice fishers is from the closest access point only.
Volunteerism: ‘A win-win for everybody’ - Flintoff
At Tuesday's council meeting, Ec. Dev. committee chair, Charles Flintoff, remarked, “Just a shout out to that club. That’s another one of our hard-working clubs.”
“You know, you have clubs like that – the ATV club, the biking and cross-country ski club - they’re all fantastic volunteers.”
“These MOU’s show that we’re supporting them. It’s just really a win-win for everybody,” he said.
Park and Ride
Two seasons ago, the city introduced a park-and-ride area for registered users. It is located just north of the airport area.
"Visitors can come up, park their vehicle, unload their machines, then be on a trail in less than 30 seconds," Antunes said.
"The 'F' and 'D' trails run right by the park and ride."
Economic benefit for Elliot Lake
"The Snowbirds and snowmobiling are a large tourism draw for our community. They're high-value tourists. They spend well when they're in the community," Antunes said at the committee meeting.
And at council, Antunes expanded: "We've all seen it, going by our hospitality providers. We do see snow machines at restaurants or our local hotels with snow machine trailers parked there."
"We're trying to drive that high-value tourist to Elliot Lake in the winter and snowmobilers are proven high-value tourism assets in the winter."
'Excellent club' - Wannan
Mayor Andrew Wannan: “To go along with Mr. Antunes about getting your snowmobile permits, this is an excellent club. You might consider joining the Elliot Lake Snowbirds.”
Permits can be purchased through the OFSC website here.