Mixed forecast
Wawa snowmobile club report good trail conditions, less than ideal fiscal health
By Shirley Mills
Posted 21 hours ago
It could be a banner season for a Wawa area snowmobile club because of sound snow conditions for sledders riding its 312 kilometres of trails, officials say.
But on the fiscal front, the year is likely not going to be quite as healthy.
“If ever there was a year to come sledding in Wawa, this is it,” said Gord Jones, Wawa Sno-Riders vice-president and co-owner of Jones Power Sports.
“Even the rain was good It packed the trail down and, if we ordered weather, this would be it.”
President Doug Johnson agrees, but also forecasts fiscal woes.
“Our bank account is not good. We are really tight money-wise.”
Johnson agreed.
“There just isn’t enough snow in other parts of the district and it hurts all of us,” he said.
New this year is that permit sale profits are directed to one pot to be distributed for grooming and administrative expenses among the 10 clubs in the 2,000-kilometres of District 13. Revenue of seasonal permit sales to the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs stays the same and is allocated as follows:
Clubs: 60.5%
Selling clubs keep an average of $121.65 for every $200 seasonal permit sold (and $171.65 for every $250 seasonal permit sold) to pay for trail operation expenses.
OFSC trail fund: 13.23%
$26.45 from every seasonal permit sold goes to the OFSC to be re-distributed to help clubs with fewer permit sales and for various OFSC grants.
General liability insurance: 16.75%
$33.55 from every seasonal permit sold goes to the OFSC to pay the multi-million dollar cost of providing the liability insurance.
OFSC programs: 9:18%
$18.35 from every seasonal permit sold goes to the OFSC to pay for various programs that support clubs and trails.
The Wawa Sno Riders has been a member of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs since 1972.
The Wawa Motor Hotel reports a healthy season.
Although management has heard complaints from Michigan riders, disappointed that Trail D from Searchmont to Wawa was closed this year, the business has sold 16, seven-day and 30, three-day permits. Sledders continue to arrive from southern Ontario and throughout Northern Ontario.
The popular northern route, north of Sault Ste. Marie, will remain closed this year for safety reasons, due to the closure of Halfway Haven Lodge.
Subsequently, snowmobilers would not be able to refuel or seek food or lodging along the route. But officials expect the trail will reopen for the 2013 season with a new Halfway Haven owner of.
Satisfied American sledders include a group from Indiana, that has been riding Algoma trails for the past decade.
“The trails are wonderful, plenty of snow and well groomed,” said Mike Sorg, who hails from Hoagland, about 16 kilometres outside Fort Wayne, Ind.
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Article source: http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3455709