Snowmobilers fight to keep budget for winter trails
As winter draws closer, many snowmobile enthusiasts are starting to feel the itch to get back on their rides.
It's no different in Prescott-Russell, two consolidated counties east of Ottawa. After local politicians debated scrapping plans to maintain the back-country trails, snowmobilers are arguing their sport is a major boost to the local economy.
Last year, county representatives began to question the cost of maintaining the 70-kilometre-long trail, which runs east to west through the area. The 2018 budget allocates $170,000 for the trail's upkeep, but they argued it wouldn't bring in as much revenue as was being invested.
Local snowmobilers disagree.
Trails bring jobs and tourists
"Just for Prescott-Russell there's an economic impact of over $12-million dollars during those short two to three months," said Pascale Roy, a spokesperson for an eastern Ontario snowmobiling club.
"And in eastern Ontario from Kingston, Arnprior, right up to Lancaster and Hawkesbury, we're talking about $900-million in economic impact."
Maintaining the 70-kilometre stretch is only half the battle, as there are almost 400 kilometres of other routes maintained by volunteers.
The trails are more than a tourist draw. With sales of the machines increasing, more jobs are created.
In Prescott-Russell last year, there were over 400 new snowmobiles sold at the two dealerships in the area, said Roy. That means 119 people remain employed over the winter and businesses benefit from snowmobilers who pay for service, accommodation and supplies, he said.
But Roy admits, because of the volunteer nature of the sport, a better job needs to be done in marketing and promoting the economic benefits of snowmobiling to the general public and to politicians.
