Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
April 1, 2010
Snow Represents Opportunity for Industry
The Dorset Snowmobile Association is using a $66,250 investment from
the Provincial Government to enhance the Baie Verte Peninsula's
snowmobile trail infrastructure and advance this province's snowmobiling
industry.
"With snow comes considerable opportunity for winter tourism
operators and retailers,"
said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Innovation, Trade and
Rural Development. "As shown by the large contingent of non-residential
snowmobilers seeking backcountry tours, the popularity of snowmobiling
in the province continues to increase. The Provincial Government is
committed to improving regional infrastructure to support the local
industry's continued growth and further position the province as a
winter tourism destination."
Trail improvements will include developing 43 kilometres of groomed
trailway between Burlington and La Scie, upgrading 60 kilometres of
older trail sections, constructing a destination chalet in La Scie and
steel bridge over Pacquet Brook, repairing the decks of three wooden
bridges on Skippens Ridge Road, building two warm-up shelters,
installing culverts for water diversion, and adding six community-entry
billboards and other directional signage.
"The snowmobile trail
was groomed for the first time earlier this month and has already
attracted snowmobilers from all over the province, and even as far away
as Alberta," said Wian Lotter, Vice-President, Dorset Snowmobile
Association. "We are receiving positive feedback from the users and
local businesses are pleased with the increase in trail activity."
Snowmobiling has long been a popular recreational activity in
Newfoundland and Labrador. Ten per cent of all registered snowmobiles in
Canada are owned by Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with 27 per cent of
the provincial population owning one or more snowmobiles. On the Baie
Verte Peninsula alone, 160 machines were sold in the 2008-09 winter
season.
"A well-groomed trail system will add value to tourism events that
bring significant revenue to local communities such as the annual winter
carnival in La Scie and other localized snowmobile races," said
Kevin Pollard, MHA for Baie Verte - Springdale. "This valuable
infrastructure development will be a platform for significant business
and employment creation."
The Dorset Snowmobile Association is a not-for-profit organization
formed in 1996 and is dedicated to the development and maintenance of
groomed trails on the Baie Verte Peninsula. The organization promotes
safe trail-ride experiences as well as other great outdoor activities in
the region such as
camping, salmon and trout fishing,
hiking, and hunting.
This initiative was funded through the Regional/Sectoral
Diversification Fund (RSDF), which, through Budget 2010: The Right
Investments for Our Children and Our Future, has $11 million
available for investment. Administered by the Department of Innovation,
Trade and Rural Development, the RSDF provides non-repayable
contributions to economic development agencies for initiatives that
address regional and sectoral development and diversification.
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