More than a dozen snowmobile trail upgrades are on the way in Northern Ontario.
The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) is receiving more than $553,000 from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) for snowmobile trail upgrades across the North.
“With over 30,000 kilometres of trails, more than 14,000 kilometres of which are in Northern Ontario, our province is a premier destination for snowmobiling,” said George Pirie, minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth, in a news release.
According to the Ministry of Northern Development, the upgrades are to improve access and safety for snowmobile users throughout the region.
The 12 projects getting money are:
- White Creek bridge replacement on Trail A102Q
- Trail reroute in North Bay between Four Mile Lake Road and Northmount Road
- Broder Dill trail reroute on Trail C108D
- Trail rehabilitation in White River on Top D trail
- Toria Lake culvert installations on Trail SP1
- Trail reroute in Foleyet on Trail C101D
- Montreal River bridge refurbishment on Top A trail
- Trail rehabilitation in Kirkland Lake on Trail A108
- Suckle Creek bridge installation on Top A trail
- Culvert installation in Hearst on Top A trail L169
- Trail adjustment in Atikokan on Trail A113A
- Trail adjustment in Emo-Borderland on Trail A113A
In 2022, the ministry said 150,000 domestic visitors to Northern Ontario included snowmobiling in their travel plans. Tourism in the region has generated up to $1.4 billion in spending, according to provincial data.
In a release issued April 9, OFSC CEO Ryan Eickmeier said the funding will help complete necessary trail infrastructure work.
While the local snowmobile season lasted into April, Timmins Snowmobile Club closed its trails last week.
