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On February 12 WCSTA held the Ribbon Cutting for the official opening of the bridge over thew Ottawa River joining the West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association Club and OFSC trails to the Pontiac Snowmobile Drivers Association Club and FCMQ trails with a safe non-ice crossing on the longest snowmobile bridge in the world. The rehabilitation of the former railway bridge was made possible through a grant from the Investing in Canada’s Infrastructure – Communities, Culture and Recreation Stream. Present for the event, left to right are:
Peter Asquini – Governor, District 1, Upper Canada Snowmobile Region, OFSC
Alain Goulet – Pontiac Snowmobile Drivers Association, Pontiac District, FCMQ
Warden Jane Toller – MRC Pontiac County
Chantal Lair – Economic Development, MRC Pontiac County
Cyndy Phillips – Director, Economic Development, MRC Pontiac County
Steve Burgess – President, West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association
Paul McDonald – Director, West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association
Eli El-Chantry – for the City of Ottawa, West Carleton-March Ward
MP Jenna Sudds, Kanata – Carleton Riding
Catherine Callary – VP Destination Development, Ottawa Tourism
George Darouze – City of Ottawa, Osgoode Ward
WCSTA would like to thank the representatives, volunteers and Club members that attended the event. We look forward to the increased snowmobile and tourism opportunities the bridge and the joining of the OFSC and FCMQ trail systems will bring to West Carleton and Mississippi Mills and the Pontiac as well as across the Regions.
February 12, 2022 – Paul McDonald
On February 19, 2022 four members of WCSTA worked with MRC Pontiac and Tourisme Outaouais to take video and picture material to complete a tourism promotion of the new bridge over the Ottawa River and the snowmobiling opportunities in the Pontiac and Eastern Ontario. The production is being put together by Valley Video , Caroline Dorothy Photography, MRC Pontiac and Tourisme Outaouais.
While taking the promotion video and still photography from 12:00 to 1:00 on Sunday, approximately 200 snowmobiles crossed the bridge in both directions. Even though it was the free weekend in Quebec, it is obvious the benefit and attraction the bridge and new trails are to snowmobilers in Ontario and Quebec. We thank our funding sponsors and volunteers for making this possible/
Pictured are the people involved in making the tourism video from Valley Video , Caroline Dorothy Photography, MRC Pontiac.
If you crossed the bridge at this time, watch for your participation. We want to thank the snowmobilers that took the time to participate in the filming and pictures.
February 19, 2022 – Paul McDonald
West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association
Grand Opening of Longest Snowmobile Bridge in the World
Thanking our Funding Partners
Saturday, February 12, 2022
11:00am At the Bridge
The rehabilitation of the snowmobile bridge over the Ottawa River was funded through the “Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP)-Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Funding Stream”. Funding was received from a number of federal, provincial, regional and municipal government sources, Polaris Industries, as well as West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association and the Pontiac Snowmobile Drivers Association.
We will welcome our Sponsors and thank them for their support and participation in this great event.
We would also like to invite all volunteers that worked on the four additional bridges on the W1 Trail that were completed by the Club volunteers to attend. We want to thank you for your support to your Club. Without your help this trail would not have been possible.
We will cut the ribbon to officially open the bridge. Snowmobilers who would like to participate and show their appreciation to sponsors and volunteers are welcome. Please do not block the bridge or trail. We will be holding the event on the Ontario side so do not park snowmobiles near the bridge entrance.
We look forward to seeing you there. The bridge will be closed for the event from 10:55 until 11:20 or so.
Paul McDonald – Feb 10, 2022
We would like to show some of the new trail, and what our fundraisers, and the matching input from BRP’s SnowPass program, and the folks at AECON Construction Ontario East LTD have done for this new route across the 417.
This project allows us to restore one of the 2 links that allows snowmobilers from our club, and from further afield, to access the east side side of the 417, gateway to Kanata and Ottawa, and a 4 star hotel, the Brookstreet. It allows those from Quebec, that cross on our new bridge over the Ottawa River (the longest snowmobile bridge in the world) to explore the Ontario trail system. With this link, we can offer options for the new trail loop that the Upper Canada Snowmobile Region (the district of which we are members) is putting together for this season.
In planning this reroute, we wanted to minimize the amount of road riding. In doing so, we gained permission to cross some properties in key locations, but without a clear trail. We chose to open up a fairly large section going through the bush as part of making this trail happen. That’s where the BRP SnowPass Program and the people of AECON Construction Ontario East LTD. came in to make this possible.
As you can see, a formidable amount of brushing, if done by hand, was accomplished in a short time with the help of some heavy machinery provided by AECON’s Carp location.
Here are some before pictures give an idea of what we were up against, and the after pictures show the new W19 trail will now pass.
We also need to acknowledge the help of our local Ski Doo dealer, MotorSportsWorld, and Todd Williams, Project Manager at AECON Construction Ontario East LTD, Carp office. So here’s a huge thank you for making this happen. #SkiDooPASS#ThatSkiDooFeeling@SkiDoo
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Finding our way -
Marking the route -
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Clearing a path -
And cleaning up -
Our new trail
Trespassing on the CN Rail Right of Way from Kanata to the Ottawa River in Vydon Acres
The West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association Inc. has a lease with CN rail for the CN Right of Way from Wesley Clover Park to the Ottawa River for use as a dedicated snowmobile trail only. This right of way is private property and anyone on the property that is not a licenced snowmobiler on a snowmobile is trespassing. We ask that the public do not access or use this property for any reason other than snowmobiling. Ottawa Police and Bylaw Enforcement have been informed that this is private property and fines can be issued to all trespassers.
Paul McDonald. President, West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association
April 26, 2021
Each and every year, the snowmobile trails come together with the help of many volunteers. These volunteers give up their time, tools and labour in exchange for a trail system we all can enjoy. Most trail coordinators have a small crew of family or friends, sometimes both, that they count on to get the job done. This makes the act of volunteering much more enjoyable.
This past March, the Upper Canada Snowmobile Region (UCSR) contacted the club about a Volunteer rewards program. They donated some funding to reward those that assist in maintaining the trail system. It’s not the reason we volunteer, but sometimes a little recognition is appreciated.
We also received extra funding that allowed us to recognize even more of these volunteers. Thank you to Chris McCluskey and the team at The McCluskey Group (our local Tim Hortons) for reaching out to the WCSTA with a generous donation and helping us make this even better.
Trail coordinators submitted the list of their volunteers to be put in a draw for gift cards. The winners for the ’20-’21 season are:
Matt Agnel
Phil Auger Jimmy Bonney
Rod Brenton
Keith Burgess
Dave Campbell
Doug Campbell
Dan Coady
Bernie Coady
Steve Craig
Mark Crawford
Sawyer Dods
Kyle Fierens
Scott Fraser
Dave Garneau
Wayne Hollbrook
Ronnie Joanisse
Lee Johnson
Destiny Judge
Brister Malovic
Wes Manor
Mike Mosley
Nelson McDonald
Steve Monuk
Mike O’Reilly
Will Riley
Rich Russell
Blake Valliquette
Ben VanderVelde
Allan Wilson
Thanks to all who volunteer.
Respectfully
WCSTA
New address: PO Box 144 Kinburn Ont, K0A 2H0. This will make our mail pickup a little easier going forward.
This is an update on the WCSTA AGM on Wednesday October 13, 2021. Our meeting will be held in the large hall at the Kinburn Community Centre.
This is a City of Ottawa owned facility. They now require that people attending the AGM have been double vaccinated for Covid and have proof of the vaccinations to show at the door. They also require that we collect the names and contact information for those that attend. We will have a volunteer at the door to collect this information in accordance with City of Ottawa and Provincial direction.
Volunteer Needed for Secretary Position
We have not yet identified a volunteer to assume the role of Club Secretary. The main function of the position is to participate in and maintain records for Club meetings. Other associated thing in assisting with the running of the Club will also be involved. We meet once a month in the evening.
If you are interested in this role and helping your Club, please contact me at president@wcstai.com
If you enjoy snowmobiling, please consider the importance of becoming involved in your Club.
Volunteers Needed to Assist in Map Advertising
Each year the Club receives a large portion of its sponsorship from the sale of advertising on our Club map. This also provides valuable information to snowmobilers when we attract a wide range of services you can use on or off the trail.
We are looking for several volunteers that will help us with approaching our existing advertisers with this year’s sales package. You can also assist in identifying and attracting new advertisers. The money from this initiative is what keeps your trails open and groomers running.
This function occurs mainly in October to December. If you have an interest, please let me know.
Want to be a Board Member?
There are several positions available on the Board of Directors. Stand up and let your voice be heard.
Paul McDonald, President
September 24, 2021
October 13, 2021
Every year we have our AGM. This year it is on Wednesday October 13 at 7:00pm. It is being held at the Kinburn Community Centre. This is your chance to let the Board of Directors and others know your thoughts on your Club, trails and operations.
We will also be holding the election of the new Board of Directors and electing the Executive for the 2021-2022 season, so this is your time to become involved in the running of your Club.
This season we will have some exciting things for all of you that the Board and volunteers have accomplished.
- The W1 Trail and the bridge over the Ottawa River will be fully open. This will provide an earlier opening of the crossing to Quebec as well a a safe non-ice crossing. We welcome our Quebec neighbours to WCSTA.
- We are working on several trail re-routes that will make for better trails. Come out and ride them.
- We are brushing and widening several trails to improve your ride.
- We will have the first OFSC Loop Trail in WCSTA that will include Kanata, Calabogie and Pembroke. It will connect to the RAP and other trails.
In order to continue these improvements, and the everyday operation of the Club, we need new blood on the Board of Directors.
Need for New Directors
Some Directors have been on the Board and contributed to the Club for many years. Some are moving on and need to be replaced at the AGM. I encourage you to put your name forward to become active in the running of the Club. It is a rewarding experience and 100s of our members have provided this service over the last 41 years. You will be involved in Club management, project development and implementation, working with volunteers and event management and presentation. We need a wide range of experience and commitment so do not be afraid to step up.
If you would like to run for a Board position, please contact Kyle Fierens at kyle_1123@hotmail.com or Rick Craig at rcraig@cmelectric.com. Alternatively, you can email president@wcstai.com. In order to be successful, we need new people to replace those that have kept the Club going all these years.
We look forward to seeing you at the Annual General Meeting.
Paul McDonald, President