Rail line trails – your action needed

On February 24, 2017   /   Feature, OFSC, West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association  

We are currently at a critical time in plans for the future of the Ottawa Valley Recreation Trail (OVRT). If you believe that the rail lines purchased by municipalities should be available for use as multi use trails for all taxpayers, your voice is needed right away.

We believe that motorized and non-motorized recreation alike can coexist and benefit our communities. Sledders need to make their opinions heard or snowmobilers could be excluded if the former rail line were to become designated for non-motorized vehicles only.

We need you to send your comments to OVRT@lanarkcounty.ca. Please encourage everyone (your partner, other family members, friends) to send their views as well. Even if you filled out a survey form at one of the four Lanark County Open Houses, please email and register your feelings in greater detail.

Comment cards are also available or those who wish to visit 5-Span Feed and Seed in Pakenham in person.

Affected would be the former Canadian Pacific Railway rail corridor that connects Smiths Falls to Mattawa, passing through Carleton Place, Almonte, Arnprior, Pembroke and Petawawa.

Your voice and opinion really matters in this once-only opportunity, and it is important that we all speak up at this crucial time.

Thank you

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Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail – Multi-use trail including snowmobiles

On February 12, 2017   /   Feature, News and Events, OFSC, West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association  

The Future of Rail Trails

As you may know, Lanark County purchased the rail bed within it’s boundaries from CP and are now undergoing community consultations for it’s use. While parts of the rail bed you know as the 311 are in use this season on a trial basis, the hope from the snowmobiling community it to continue to expand on this idea throughout the entire county, creating a trail that will give excellent access to towns and villages, as well as an uninterrupted thoroughfare for the entire length of the rail bed.

We believe that OFSC clubs and infrastructure offer great advantages with our volunteer base and great snowmobiling community, and want to work together with other interest groups to create a trail system that can be enjoyed by all. The revenue alone that snowmobiling brings to local businesses both directly and indirectly is huge.

The final of four meetings held through the region will be this Thursday Feb. 16th between 6 and 8pm in Almonte at Old City Hall. What we really need from our snowmobiling community is a strong show of support in numbers attending this event, and to hear the concerns so that we may all work together to have multi-use trails that will benefit all residents and people of all recreational interests.

Please look at the attached information sheet and join us next Thursday!

Snowmobiling Fact Sheet Feb 17 v3

https://www.facebook.com/events/1827264094152297/

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2017 Poker Run in support of The Snowsuit Fund – Updated Info!

On February 3, 2017   /   Feature, News and Events, West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association  
2017 Poker Run in support of The Snowsuit Fund - Updated Info!

WCSTA Poker Run 2017, February 4th

Eventbrite - WCSTA 2015 Charity Snowmobile Poker Run, in support of the Snowsuit Fund!

Join the fun at the 2017 WCSTA 5th Annual Poker Run, in support of The Snowsuit Fund.

This year’s event is being held on Saturday February 4th in partnership with Kinburn Community Association – starting and finishing at Kinburn Community Centre. The Poker Run is a great way to get out and run our trails in West Carleton – and raise money for a great cause. Starting with breakfast between 8 and 11 am, and ending with dinner and prizes afterwards, it will be a great day!

All proceeds go The Snowsuit Fund which helps children under 19 years old where their family cannot afford winterwear.

To date, our poker runs have raised $5200.00, which has helped 148 children in our area keep warm in the winter. So, come out for the outdoor fun and/or dinner and help us keep this going!

We will also be collecting gently used winter jackets, gloves, boots etc…. So please drop off what you can.

Schedule

Breakfast 8 – 11 AM, served by WCSTA volunteers

Registration from 10 – 11 AM

Snowmobile Poker Run starts at 11 AM sharp.

Community Centre with Cash Bar opens at 3 PM

Dinner at 6 PM with many prizes from the Poker Run and for the “dinner only” guests.

Location

Kinburn Community Centre, 3045 Kinburn Side Rd., Kinburn, ON. (There will be plenty of parking on site for those who wish to trailer to and from the event).

Poker run and dinner tickets:

(per sled – includes community charity dinner for one and one poker hand):

35.00 Early Bird (limited number)  plus service charge online only at eventbrite.ca
40.00 after Early Bird sold plus service charge
25.00 Youth (12-18 years old)
Community Charity Dinner only tickets: $20.00 plus service charge

Children under 12 free!

Additional poker hands: $5.00 each

Prizes: 1st, 2nd, 3rd place, oldest/youngest riders and more!

Thanks to our many sponsors, who have contributed some fabulous prizes:

Title Sponsors:

Calabogie Motorsports Park

Delta Global Logistics

Nordik Spa-Nature

Pivot Point Solutions

Urban Sport Arnprior

Sponsors:

Black’s Corners Motorsport

Budau Manufacturing

Eli El-Chantiry, Councilor Ward 5

George’s Marine & Sports

The Hamilton family

Jaws Performance

Kanata Myers Chevrolet

Nicholls Gas Bar

Perth Power Sports

The Prior Sports Bar

Sammy’s Pizza

Urban Ford Arnprior

Please contact us if you or your company is interested in becoming a sponsor!

 

Remember, proceeds will benefit The Snowsuit Fund. We’ll be collecting donations of new and gently used winter wear (snowsuits, hats, mitts, boots) of all sizes. Let’s help out a great cause and have fun on the trails!

The Snowsuit Fund logo

Please visit this site or our Facebook event, West Carleton Snowmobile Annual Charity Poker Run in Support of the Snowsuit Fund! for updates or cancellations. 

For additional questions please contact Scott Hamilton

We hope to see you there 🙂

Eventbrite - WCSTA 2015 Charity Snowmobile Poker Run, in support of the Snowsuit Fund!

 

 

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Article – Crossing Farmers’ Fields

On February 2, 2017   /   Feature, Landowners, OFSC, West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association  
Article - Crossing Farmers' Fields
Crossing farmers'fields

Photo by Martin Lortz for Ontario Tourism

Every year when snow is on the ground and our throttle thumbs are itching, our club is often asked why some trails remain unavailable for riding each year longer than others. While weather, running water and terrain play a big part in it, opening trails and keeping them open is a process with many moving parts. To help explain, please have a look a the attached article, by Craig Nicholson and Graham Snyder, and courtesy of OFSC Go Snowmobiling Magazine, Vol. 8 #2.

GSM Vol8#2 OFSC – Crossing Farmers’ Fields

 

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