Concerns over liability and agreements have caused District councillors to worry about the future of snowmobile trail access in Muskoka.
During the latest District engineering and Public Works Committee meeting, councillors voted against two District staff recommendations concerning snowmobiling for the upcoming season.
A report recommended that District staff obtain legal and risk management advice regarding a new MOU with the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) and report back with recommendations. Staff also recommended prohibiting access for snowmobiles on Muskoka Road 118 from the east limit of Carr Road to the east limit of Brackenrig Road.
Phil Harding, who serves on the board of Muskoka Lakes Snow Trails snowmobiling club and was formerly the mayor of Muskoka Lakes Township, attended to speak out against the recommendations.
“The Insurers of the OFSC have stated unequivocally that without a signed MOU – the District will not only be on their own for any and all liability should a snowmobiler have an issue– but more importantly, that each local club will be forced to close any trail that crosses District Lands as the OFSC will make them,” said Harding. “In round numbers there are 50 plus parcels of District owned lands utilized by snowmobiles – in effect it will shut down all snowmobiling in Muskoka as keeping small portions of a trail network open without connecting trails would be ridiculous.”
Harding said keeping the trails open this winter is vital to the economic well-being of Muskoka during the off-season.
“According to best estimates snowmobiling in Muskoka represents over $125 million annually for the economy,” said Harding.
Harding also argued the staff’s recommendation to close a section of Highway 118 on Muskoka Lakes. He said the recommendation was a misinterpretation of the District bylaws.
The committee sided with Harding on both recommendations.
Current Muskoka Lakes Mayor Peter Kelley said the trail situation needs to be sorted out immediately to ensure the season goes ahead as planned.
“This is the backbone of 90% of our economy from Jan 1 to March 31,” he said.
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Robert Elliott, many business that will close? Name 5?
$125 Million? Nonsense, back it up, facts?
That is an absurb figure, sadly they have tainted and ruined the access they have, while it is great, I go, there are now too many ‘few’ ruining it for the many. The majority of Muskokans would not be sad to loose it, which is a shame, but true.
Hey Bob Braan. You seem like a lot of fun. I bet you complain when it is sunny. Or snowing. Or raining. Or too hot. Or too cold. Or just right.
You’ve obviously never been on a snowmobile trail.
Hope it gets sorted out. This is the most fun pastime possible.
Do they not realize that many of the local businesses will close or face bankruptcy if the trails are shut down????
Snowmobiling is the “backbone of 90% of our economy from Jan 1 to March 31?”
What a silly, incorrect statement.
Like it or not the snowmobile season is getting shorter and shorter in Muskoka.
Trails are only open for a few weeks, if at all, here any more.
Good riddance.
Drinking, speeding, excessive noise, playing submarine and choking, 2 stroke stink. All part of it.
Headline: Two Snowmobile Collisions This Past Weekend
Headline: Two Gravenhurst men charged same day with unsafe snowmobiling
Headline: Snowmobile Safety Week begins with 3 deaths in 2 Georgian Bay incidents
Headline: Rider dead in snowmobile/train collision
You have to dive into a snowbank to get out of the way walking with your child when they roar up the sidewalk.
If a Harley motorcycle did that in the summer it would be a big deal.
“While trespassing has always been an issue, the Club says this year is the worst they have seen.”
Snowmobilers typically just run over “Trail Closed” and “No Trespassing” signs.
Everyone’s front and back yard are highways for them.