District unanimously votes to enter agreement with OFSC for area trails

Local snowmobilers can breathe a sigh of relief.

The District of Muskoka came out of closed session today (Dec. 16), unanimously voting for staff to enter in agreement with the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) for the purpose of snowmobile trails on district owned land as soon as possible.

The topic has been discussed at lenght locally, with trails top of mind with all of the recent snow in the area. 

Prior to heading into closed session, District Councillor Peter Kelley said the District of Muskoka has a responsibility to the entire constituent base, and they don’t take risks, take on liabilities they don’t understand, or try to mitigate them.

Kelley shared that message with Phil Harding, who was presenting to council on the topic.

Harding, a Port Carling resident and board member of Muskoka Lakes Snowmobile Trails, said if the District does not provide permission for trails to cross their roughly 50 parcels of land, it means local clubs aren’t allowed to operate, groom or prepare the trails.

District Chair Jeff Lehman says it’s unfortunate that all across the province, municipalities and the OFSC are dealing with the issue.

He says there isn’t a member of District council that doesn’t understand how important snowmobiling is to the local winter economy and how essential it is for hotels, motels and restaurants.