HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-11-24, Page 15THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2005. PAGE 15.
OFSC says get ready for snowmobiling week
Two hundred and forty
community-based snowmobile clubs
across Ontario are celebrating the
imminent start of the 2006 winter
season during Get Ready Tor
Snowmobiling Week, Nov. 21 -27.
Over 6,000 volunteers are
preparing their sections of the
42,000 km provincial trail system
operated by the Ontario Federation
of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC).
When trails open for snowmobiling
after grooming officially starts, over
100,000 Ontario permit holders and
their families will enjoy the healthy
lifestyle benefits by riding over 150
million hours in the great outdoors
this winter.
“Get Ready For Snowmobiling
Week kicks off this popular activity,
which has been underway in an
organized way for 39 years, and now
generates almost $1 billion in
economic impact each winter,
primarily in rural Ontario.” said
OFSC president Dennis Burns.
“Today. most snowbelt
communities, hundreds of local
businesses, and thousands of
Ontarians, depend on snowmobiling
to provide a substantial portion of
their winter livelihood.
Snowmobiling is also a great way to
Future of Seaforth
band in jeopardy
By Heather Crawford
Citizen staff
The Seaforth and District All
Girls Marching Band is in jeopardy
of collapsing.
Sharon Thomas and Penny
Breen, two representatives of the
band requested a donation from
Huron East council at the Nov. 15
meeting.
Thomas and Breen listed the
many expenses required to keep the
band going including money for
transportation to concerts all over
the world, the cost to repair
instruments, and the cost of
uniforms.
The girls have represented the
County of Huron in Europe, Fort
Lauderdale, Florida and the Toronto
Santa Claus Parade.
They are presently booked to
perform at the Brussels and
Seaforth Santa Claus parades this
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get outside and be active.” This
week also marks a final opportunity
for snowmobilers to purchase a full
season snowmobile trail permit at
the early fee of $180. The permit,
which is mandatory by law for sleds
using OFSC trails for recreational
snowmobiling, costs $230 after Dec.
1. Permit fees remain the same as
they were last season.
The OFSC said this is an ideal
time to volunteer to assist your local
club for a few hours of trail
preparation or organizing for the
upcoming season (e-mail
volunteer@ofsc.on.ca). It’s also a
good opportunity to sign those aged
12 and over up for an OFSC Driver
Training Course so that they can
learn to ride safely and responsibly
(www.ofsc.on.ca).
“During Get Ready For
Snowmobiling Week, the OFSC
wants to extend a very special thanks
to over 15,000 landowners across
Ontario, who make organized trail
riding possible by volunteering the
use of their property for snowmobile
trails each winter,” stated Burns.
“Their generosity significantly
enhances the social, recreational and
economic well being of their home
communities.”
month.
Breen and Thomas expressed
concern that if money is not
obtained the band would collapse.
The Trillium Fund donated
$33,000 over four years starting in
2000 with an additional $6,000 for
2005.
“We were told not to waste paper
and stamps applying for the grant
because we would not get it for the
sixth year,” Thomas said.
Huron East has donated $ 1,000 in
past years but cut the donation to
$500 this year due to budget cuts.
“We had two young people in
here asking for money to go on a
trip and we didn’t give them
anything,” councillor Lou Maloney
said, explaining the strain on
council to donate because of budget
cuts.
Grey ward councillor Mark
Beaven made a motion to refer this
concern to the 2006 budget.
In addition. Get Ready For
Snowmobiling Week heralds the
start of the OFSC’s Safe Riders!
Public Education Campaign, which
provides snowmobilers with the
information, tips and techniques
needed for safe and responsible
snowmobiling. Entering its 23rd
year, this proven OFSC safely
program has successfully minimized
snowmobile injuries and fatalities,
especially those resulting from ice
1992
F35O
1991
Ford 350
2001
Grand Prix
Fully loaded, CD, keyless,
80,000 kms., certified,
e-tested.
89,300.
Or best o^fer.
and alcohol.
Meanwhile, the Safe Riders!
initiative has contributed to making
OFSC trails the safest place to ride a
snowmobile compared to riding off
trail, which accounts for about 80
per cent of fatalities.
“We invite all snowmobilers and
those who benefit from
snowmobiling to join the OFSC, its
clubs and volunteers in celebrating
Get Ready For Snowmobiling
Week,” concluded Burns.
The Ontario Federation of
Snowmobile Clubs is dedicated to
providing strong leadership and
support to member clubs and
volunteers, to establishing and
maintaining quality snowmobile
trails which are used in a safe and
environmentally responsible
manner, and to furthering the
enjoyment of organized
snowmobiling.
Wingham 519-357-4499
vincents@scsinternet.com
across from the Wingham Post Office
Making your life easier,
one meal at a time.