OVRT and “A” Trail Closure

Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail for ALL

There have been many posts and messages about the possibility that Mississippi Mills and Carleton Place councils might not approve motorized use of the abandoned CP Rail line, known now as the OVRT (Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail) through Almonte and Carleton Place. There is always a danger that people get tired of hearing about it and start to shut it out, but we really need every individual sledder and their family and friends to spend just a few minutes to help sway council decisions. Right now.

Why? The A Trail, our main corridor through the region is rapidly losing sections to urban sprawl and developments, and there are more sections that will be closed in the near future due to development. The A Trail will depend on the OVRT and will ultimately be cut off if you, the sledders, do not act now to ensure we get access this public corridor.  The only way that clubs can ensure that the A trail and similar trails remain viable is to share public corridors such as the OVRT. True multi-use trails (for all activities) work well in the other areas where they have been established, and with cooperation will work well here. More importantly if one municipality is allowed to exclude some users, others will follow.

What do I need to do? Despite the great business and social/economic case presented by BEAST and WCSTA representatives, it has become a numbers game. It seems to be coming down to who can send the most letters to the individual councils in support of their special interest. Non-motorized groups have been planning their attack long in advance, and they are way ahead of us in this regard. And, don’t be fooled, the number of letters received does sway councils. The case of the squeaky wheel gets the grease definitely holds true here.

We need you, your spouse, children and friends, sledders from across the District and the province to send letters today. Councils will hear us if we organize and speak out, as the other parties are doing. Many of you have already written letters, but we have several new places that need to receive them (see below).

If composing a letter isn’t your thing, please just copy/paste (and edit if you wish) the letter at the end of this post. Address it to the 2 emails below, and individual councillors if you like. Just add your name and hit “Send”. That’s it. Share this to every person you can think of, and follow up to make sure that they too have written. If we miss this opportunity, it will not come again.

What else? We need to show up in numbers (as the opponents will) Tuesday evening (April 4) as we present to Mississippi Mills Council. Once again, numbers count, and the recent Carleton Place meeting had many non-motorized supporters show up – that made quite an impact – with just a handful from the sledding corner. Wear your club shirt, jacket hat, or your sled colors. Make sure our club representatives (Scott Hamilton and Darin McRae) know you are behind them, and council knows how many sledders are watching the decisions they make.

Snowmobile clubs’ rail line proposal to Mississippi Mills – Tues. April 4th

Thank you.

The Letter:

Step 1: Please send at least 2 emails – 1 to each town at these addresses:

drogers@carletonplace.ca
clerk@mississippimills.ca

…and one directly to your councillor if you like

Step 2: Subject heading: “Motorized OVRT” or “Snowmobiles on OVRT”

Step 3: Add your name at the bottom of letter.

 

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing this email in support for the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail
(OVRT) to be established as a multi-use trail, including snowmobiles in the
winter time.

I understand that the acquisition of this corridor by the County of Lanark
was originally done under the premise of a multi-use trail (including
motorized vehicles) and feel it should continue along those lines.  Our tax
dollars are paying for it, so all taxpayers should be able to use this trail
for their own personal recreation.

I have been a snowmobiler for many years and can say with full confidence
that all users benefit from a groomed snowmobile trail. Snowmobile clubs
also have a great track record on multi-use trails in many areas of Ontario.

On trail snowmobiling is managed by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile
Clubs (OFSC) which means that the sport is regulated with trail permits,
operator licenses, insurance requirements, and pre-established speed limits.
The entire system is patrolled by volunteer trail patrol members and local
police agencies making it safe for all users.

I have recently read that both Montague and Beckwith Townships have already
endorsed the OVRT to include motorized users.  I would hope this would
continue along the entire corridor.

I trust that in your capacity as clerk you will share this email with your
council.

Respectfully,

[your name]

Snowmobile clubs’ rail line proposal to Mississippi Mills – Tues. April 4th

Your West Carleton Snowmobile Club and the B.E.A.S.T. Snowmobile club are doing a joint presentation to town council for use on the old rail line.

We need all your support. We have a great presentation to show that this will cost taxpayers ZERO dollars, while helping the local economy and creating a tourism trail for the businesses from Snowmobilers in the winter months. We will fill the restaurants down town with business, groom a second trail for free in Almonte for non sledders. Put up signs, help pay decking of the bridges. Make slow zones in the town, this is who we are 🙂

The hall holds 90 people in chambers and just outside in a seperate room with speakers.

We need to fill the parking lot with sledder on top of that. This is a chance to show our posotive support for sharing the trail. Snowmobilers are amazing stewarts of the trails for many many years.

The A trail throught Almonte, Pakenham and Armprior is in jepordy of being lost without this link. Urban sprawl is affecting our trails.

Who can make it out? Bring your family and friends!

Thanks,
Your board of directors

 

When: Tuesday, April 4 at 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Where: 3131 Old Perth Rd, Almonte, ON K0A 1A0, Canada

PLEASE SHARE THIS LINK, THANK YOU

April Club Meeting – NEW DATE


 

The April 2017 Meeting for WCSTA will be held on Wednesday April 5th. Please join us in the board room at the Kinburn Community Centre (doors to the left of the main entrance). Meetings start at 7:00pm. Please watch this web site for notifications of any changes.

Come and find out what is happening with your club, your trails, the OFSC and snowmobiling in general. If you have a few hours to spare here or there, see if there is something that you might be interested in helping out with – every contribution large or small is appreciated! Also find out about the new volunteer incentive program rolling out this year…

Thanks to everyone for helping make this a great season. There’s in more to come… we hope to see you at the meeting!

2018 Sleds Manufacturers’ Sneek Peak – March 20-21

2018 Sleds Manufacturers' Sneek Peak - March 20-21

Sneek Peek 2018 Kanata,, March 20 - 21SEE THE NEW 2018 SNOWMOBILES LIVE

Make plans now to attend a Manufacturers’ Sneak Peek near you and see next year’s sleds now…before anyone else. Featuring new 2018 snowmobiles from Polaris, Ski-Doo and Yamaha, most shows are free and also feature new snowmobile accessories and a chance to talk direct to factory experts to get all the details on next year’s sleds.

Kanata, ON – March 20-21, 2017
Bell Sensplex
1565 Maple Grove Road
Kanata ON
K2V 1A3
(613) 599-0363

Hours

Monday March 20, 2017  |   4 pm – 9 pm
Tuesday March 21, 2017  |  11am – 9 pm

http://www.snowsneakpeek.ca

Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail – Multi-use trail including snowmobiles

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/

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

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!

 

 

St. Johns Emergency First Aid Course – Dec. 3

St. Johns Emergency First Aid Course - Dec. 3

St. Johns ambulance emergency first aid course image

St John Ambulance First Aid Course

Date: Dec 3 at Kinburn Community Centre 8:30 to 4:00 pm

WCSTA will offering a first aid course on Dec 3. Any of our groomer operators that are not already trained will be taking this course, and it is also a great idea for anyone who rides – especially in remote areas. This will be a one day St Johns Emergency First Aid course, geared toward snowmobilers and groomer operators.

The course will cover Emergency Scene Management, Shock, all CPRs (adult, child, infant), automated external defibrillator (AED), Severe Bleeding, Wound Care, Burns and Medical Conditions.  There will be additional discussion and practice on other topics that may be relevant to snowmobilers.

Cost of the training is $109, and the Club will provide a complimentary pizza lunch.

If you would like to attend, please email contact@wcstai.com

TWO MORE SLEEPS until the WCSTA Swap Meet!

WCSTA 1st annual swap meetWCSTA 1st Annual Snowmobile Swap Meet

Saturday Oct. 15, 10am to 3pm
Kinburn Community Centre
Admission: $2
12 and under free

Wow. For our very first year, this is shaping up to be a big event!

The WCSTA Swap Meet is going to feature a HUGE Blow-Out Sale of Ski-Doo accessories with two tractor trailers full of new gear at blow out prices. Among local and not-so-local businesses participating will be George’s Marine and Sports, March Road Motorsports, Ottawa Argo (with the new WCSTA Argo Centaur groomer), Perth PowerSports and Urban Motorsports

Tickets will be on sale for the District 1 Raffle for 2 Yamahas and trailer, as well as WCSTA swag. And, of course indoor and outdoor swap tables, trailers full of parts, and the used sled corral!

There will be a barbecue going and we will have a big screen and a projector playing sledding videos inside the Beer Lounge!

The club is also looking for volunteers to help out at the show, so please email swapmeet@wcstai.com if you can lend a hand.

We hope to see everyone there – please spread the word. This is going to be a fantastic community event!

https://www.facebook.com/events/142517329497713/

Contact: swapmeet@wcstai.com

or:
Douglas VanderVelde
phone: 613-316-6199

Signage Training Nov. 1, 2016

snowmobile-trail-signage

Sledding is just around the corner and early indicators are pointing toward a great sledding season this year!  In preparation for the installation of trail signage and markers, WCSTA will be holding its annual trail signage course on  November 1, 2016, 6:00-7:00 PM in the Conference Room* at the Kinburn Community Centre.  Correct signage is the cornerstone of the club’s risk management program and critical to safe sledding on our trails.  The trails cannot be opened until this important work is completed.

If you are new to trail signage this season: a) THANKS for volunteering; and b) please plan to attend this course.  Note that preparing the trails depends entirely on volunteers like you.  If you just want to help out but aren’t sure where to start, feel free to come to the training and we will happily pair you up with an experienced installer.

If you cannot make this training, or have any questions contact the director responsible for risk management at safesledding@wcstai.com

*The conference room is located at the southwest end of the building (closest to the soccer fields).  It is NOT the room near the bar nor the large hall.