Canada/Ontario improves snowmobile trails in the North

Published on 01/10/2022 | La rédaction

Canada

Investment of over $800,000 will ensure that world-class trails remain safe and enjoyable

The Ontario government is providing $834,904 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC ) to the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) to improve snowmobile trails throughout Northern Ontario. This investment in local infrastructure will help stimulate economic growth, improve quality of life and build strong, healthy communities.

"Our government is supporting healthy and strong communities across the North by investing in important community recreational infrastructure," said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development. "This investment in improved snowmobile trails is critical to providing a high quality of life for residents and will enhance tourism, strengthening the local economy. "

The grant is for the following 10 trail projects that will improve trail connectivity throughout Northern Ontario, increasing trail life and safety for snowmobilers

Pickerel River Bridge Repair and Maintenance
Decommissioning of bridges 76.8 and 73.2 and installation of culverts in their place near Mattawa
Replacing the existing bridge over the Whitson River in the City of Greater Sudbury with a new 28-foot steel bridge
Replace bridges over the Morton and McGrindle Rivers near Hanmer in the City of Greater Sudbury
Renovating the bridge over Sheppard Creek on the Soo Highlands Loop in Searchmont
rerouting 60 kilometers of the D108A trail between Dubreuilville and Hornepayne
36 kilometers of Top C trail rerouting in the Municipality of Gogama
Replacement of the bridge over the Little Black River north of Kirkland Lake
Installing a culvert on Top A Trail near the Municipality of Mattice-Val Côté to eliminate the need for a snow bridge, thereby solving trail melt and flooding problems
25-kilometre rerouting of A113A trail near Atikokan

"There are 30,000 kilometers of trails in Ontario, making it a top destination for snowmobilers and generating $3.3 billion in economic activity each year," said Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney. "This funding will address local needs by ensuring Ontario's trails remain safe and enjoyable for years to come. "

"On behalf of our clubs and thousands of volunteers across Ontario, I want to thank the government and the NOHFC for their historic contribution to Ontario's largest winter tourism event," said Ryan Eickmeier, Director, Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs. "This investment will ensure that our world-class snowmobile trails continue to operate for generations to come. "

The NOHFC promotes economic prosperity across Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance to projects, large and small, rural and urban, that stimulate growth, job creation and skills development. Since June 2018, NOHFC has committed over $59 million to 4,748 projects in Northern Ontario, resulting in over $1.82 billion in investments and supporting over 7,500 jobs.

Quick Facts

In 2021, the Ontario government launched new and enhanced NOHFC programs that support more projects in rural Northern Ontario communities and make the application process easier for people and businesses. The programs target existing and emerging markets, provide more employment opportunities for Aboriginal people and address the skills shortage in the North.

Additional Resources

The NOHFC, Northern Development Offices and Local Small Business Enterprise Centres are available to support northern communities, businesses and other stakeholders in identifying economic development opportunities and assisting them to access government funding programs.