Council hears differing views on city's role in snowmobile access

Snowmobiling continues to polarize Kenora residents into two camps

By Reg Clayton
Miner and News
Tuesday February 14, 2006

Snowmobiling continues to polarize Kenora residents into two camps: supporters who see the recreational and winter tourism potential of the seasonal activity and those who contend the city is putting economic development ahead of neighbourhood safety concerns.
City council heard from both sides of the issue at Monday’s meeting.
The Snowmobile Friendly City Steering Committee outlined its short and long-term goals to make Kenora a winter tourist destination and the city’s role in helping to achieve these objectives. Presented by committee secretary Laurie Bracken, initiatives range from providing extra value by making permits more affordable for residents and waiving trail fees altogether for out of province visitors.
Bracken noted the city will benefit from increased economic activity by making Kenora more accessible to snowmobilers.
“The issue for the snowmobile club is to look after its trail system, trails within the city are not in our mandate but we are working with the city to bring snowmobilers in to enhance winter tourism as part of its overall economic development plan,” she said.
The committee estimates a visiting couple will spend up to $1,000 on a snowmobiling weekend in Kenora with potential winter tourism revenue amounting to $13 million annually.
Committee membership included representatives from the Sunset Trail Riders executive, Downtown Business Improvement Zone, Tourism Kenora, Kenora Hospitality Alliance and city operations, planning and economic development staff.
Bracken added the city has already moved ahead with several initiatives such as establishing a snowmobile staging and overnight parking area at the baseball diamond across from A&W restaurant, snow removal near trails, signage and maps. Essential attractions identified by the committee include an in-town trail between Keewatin and Kenora and snowmachine access to the Harbourfront.
Sunset Trail Riders volunteer co-ordinator Ted Weiss said any future in-town trail development wouldn’t be limited to snowmachines.
“We don’t want exclusivity,” he said. “The trails could be developed for multi-use for snowmachines and cross-country skiing in winter and as biking, hiking and walking trails in the summer.”
Weiss also acknowledged the ongoing need for bylaws and trail enforcement to address public concerns regarding noise, speeding and safety issues.
Matters pertaining to the planning and implementation of new trails in the city was the crux of a deputation by Keewatin resident and former town planning committee member Sharon Smith.
Smith contends city administration did not exercise due diligence in approving a snow machine trail along an existing walking trail in the Portage Bay/Mink Bay area. She also noted the snowmobile club posted 50 kilometres per hour signs which exceeds the speed limit for the adjacent municipal roadways. Smith maintains the city is at risk with regard to liability and legal action should an accident occur and administration is culpable as due process was not followed in approving the route.
“The trails are there illegally and signage should come down until the proper process is followed through,” she said.
Sunset Trail Riders president Rod McKay explained the trail was implemented with city approval in January as a detour to direct snowmobilers around thin ice on the lake, an unusual condition due to this winter’s mild temperatures.
“The reason for rerouting the trail was to get snowmobiles away from unsafe ice conditions under the Keewatin Bridge,” he said, adding the trail has been resigned to 20 km/h.
Following the council meeting, McKay and Smith discussed the situation and agreed to survey the area in question to identify an alternate route for the detour and present a recommendation to the city.
Mayor Dave Canfield acknowledged the differing views among various stakeholders with regard to snowmachine trails in the city. However, he is hopeful that further communications and public meetings will help resolve some of the issues.
“We can’t please everyone. The hospitality sector is very much in favour of bringing all the tourists they can into town,” he said. “Snowmobilers are a great opportunity and council is fully supportive. It’s going to impact neighbourhoods and the challenge is to avoid them as much as possible.”

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