In an attempt to come to a compromise with snowmobilers, city council has approved a path through Hollinger Park that will allow sleds to reach the Shell service station on the south side of Algonquin Boulevard, from the official trail system.
There has been much discussion among city residents on the issue ever since a few careless snowmobilers caused $4,000 worth of damage to 'Sk8te Hollinger' in early December. Even after the incident was widely reported, snowmobilers have been regularly spotted in Hollinger Park.
A city bylaw states that recreational vehicles are not permitted in Hollinger Park at any time.
At Monday night's meeting, Mayor Steve Black said 'Perhaps its been an issue for longer than its been an issue', and citing increased activity in the park in large part due to Sk8te Hollinger, he said the Timmins Snowmobile Club made the request in hopes of finding a middle ground sooner rather than later.
A new section, off of trail 'L27' through the city centre, will see a route cross Brunette Road into the park. The trail will head north, adjacent with Brunette, until a right turn at the northwest corner of the park, before running parallel with Algonquin Boulevard towards the Shell station. The path will be approximately 15 feet wide, enough for a groomer, that the club will be solely responsible for maintaining.
The city will be providing the bright orange snow fencing, which will be installed on both sides of the trail. There will be stop signs at various points, and the speed limit will be 20 kilometres per hour. After fueling up, snowmobilers will then have to come to back towards Brunette, to reconnect with the designated L27 trail.
"So there is no throughway. The Shell would be the dead end. We propose that 20 kilometres an hour is plenty. You don't need to go faster than that. It is wide enough for two snowmobiles to go together" said Marc Lapalme, Vice President of the Timmins Snowmobile Club.
Councillor Andrew Marks had a few concerns, mainly the risk of damage to the Cenotaph area, near Brunette.
Lapalme replied that although it will be a tight squeeze, he is confident they can make a sufficient trail without going anywhere near the monument.
Councillor Rick Dubeau asked Lapalme about the significance of accessing the Shell station, as opposed to the Esso station on the north side of Algonquin, which is on the designated trail system.
"It's overwhelming how many snowmobilers want the Shell gas. There the ones that have the best guarantee without any ethanol. Some snowmobile engines are very sensitive to what kind of fuel you put in there," said Lapalme.
Councillor Noella Rinaldo had concerns about aesthetics in the park with an alleyway of unsightly orange mesh fencing obstructing views of Sk8te Hollinger.
"Its one of the biggest marketing tools they have, is that you can see it from the highway. Its one of the things that makes it so attractive to people" she said.
Ken Pye of Sk8te Hollinger then came forward to share his thoughts with council.
"Yesterday I thought this was a great idea, to come in here and make this trail. But I've had time to think about this, and I would not support this trail," he said.
Mayor Black asked Pye bluntly if the trail was in the best position to avoid any damage to Sk8te Hollinger facilities.
"Yes. Absolutely," replied Pye, who added a few of his other concerns.
One of them being the idea that with this trail, snowmobilers will now attempt to cross Algonquin Boulevard from the Shell station. He also said that the trail will cut off cross park access for all pedestrians.
Despite technically being against a bylaw, the city will allow a fenced in snowmobile path through Hollinger Park. Andrew Autio for TimminsToday He currently maintains a walking path from the northeast corner of the park, which eventually leads to the parking lot near Brunette Road.
Rinaldo then asked Lapalme if the snowmobilers illegally crossing the park were club members.
"I don't know. I don't patrol it myself," he said, adding that the trail to the Shell station would only be for OFSC(Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs) members. Lapalme said that he had received feedback from some of his members requesting access through the park.
After that, both Lapalme and Pye left the council chambers, separately.
Councillor Joe Campbell requested a deferral until the next meeting, seeking tangible reasons why the specific gas station needed to be accessed, as well as addressing some of the safety concerns. He was supported only by Councillors Dubeau and Walter Wawrzaszek. The deferral was denied.
Councillor Mike Doody explained that it seemed like the safest option, taking into account the input by Timmins Police Chief John Gauthier, as well as his past experiences in dealing with the Timmins Snowmobile Club.
"If it doesn't work, its certainly not going to be because of us, it will be up to them," said Doody referring to the club.
"I think they want to work with the municipality. They want to work with all the snowmobilers in the area, and its in their best interest to make sure that it works. I have faith that they will do their very best."
Rinaldo then said that although she had 'a lot of questions' regarding the proposal, a decision needed to be made.
"This is such an unusual situation. The only way is to just give it a try and test. I think if it doesn't work from a safety perspective, I think they'll shut it down fairly quickly," she said.
Dubeau reiterated that the evening's discussion left a lot unanswered, and council should have waited another week before formally passing the resolution, citing a perceived lack of explanation from Lapalme over the importance of accessing Shell's special gas. Rinaldo agreed with that sentiment, but still supported the compromise.
"He said its just human nature, they just want to buy at the Shell, it was the best he could come up with I think," she said.
"These snowmobilers are going there. The majority, I don't think are members of the snowmobile club. They're just illegally crossing the park anyways. We are having some trouble policing it."
"I don't think Mr. Pye was 100 percent in favor it, but on the same token, he didn't really come up with a solution. So I think they have to try it," said Rinaldo
Wawrzaszek then said that if most of the offenders cutting through the park aren't members of the club, or upstanding citizens who have purchased trail passes in the first place, then the change may not have the desired outcome.
"So that means that people who don't have a pass are still going to be skipping across," he said. "So I don't think we're solving too many issues."
Voting in favour were Councillors Pat Bamford, Doody, Veronica Farrell, Marks, Rinaldo, and Mayor Black. Opposed were Dubeau, Campbell, and Wawrzaszek.
The trail and fencing will likely begin setting up within a few days. Snowmobiles will have to stay within the marked trail area, or they could be subjected to a fine of up to $1,000.
"We're going to expect that people who are operating their snow vehicles will adhere to the new changes. If they have to get over to the Shell, use the designated route, turn around and come right back onto the trail. It doesn't allow for them to 'beetle' across Algonquin Boulevard, and risk public safety," said Police Chief Gauthier after the meeting.
