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We are currently at a critical time in plans for the future of the Ottawa Valley Recreation Trail (OVRT). If you believe that the rail lines purchased by municipalities should be available for use as multi use trails for all taxpayers, your voice is needed right away.
We believe that motorized and non-motorized recreation alike can coexist and benefit our communities. Sledders need to make their opinions heard or snowmobilers could be excluded if the former rail line were to become designated for non-motorized vehicles only.
We need you to send your comments to OVRT@lanarkcounty.ca. Please encourage everyone (your partner, other family members, friends) to send their views as well. Even if you filled out a survey form at one of the four Lanark County Open Houses, please email and register your feelings in greater detail.
Comment cards are also available or those who wish to visit 5-Span Feed and Seed in Pakenham in person.
Affected would be the former Canadian Pacific Railway rail corridor that connects Smiths Falls to Mattawa, passing through Carleton Place, Almonte, Arnprior, Pembroke and Petawawa.
Your voice and opinion really matters in this once-only opportunity, and it is important that we all speak up at this crucial time.
Thank you
The Future of Rail Trails
As you may know, Lanark County purchased the rail bed within it’s boundaries from CP and are now undergoing community consultations for it’s use. While parts of the rail bed you know as the 311 are in use this season on a trial basis, the hope from the snowmobiling community it to continue to expand on this idea throughout the entire county, creating a trail that will give excellent access to towns and villages, as well as an uninterrupted thoroughfare for the entire length of the rail bed.
We believe that OFSC clubs and infrastructure offer great advantages with our volunteer base and great snowmobiling community, and want to work together with other interest groups to create a trail system that can be enjoyed by all. The revenue alone that snowmobiling brings to local businesses both directly and indirectly is huge.
The final of four meetings held through the region will be this Thursday Feb. 16th between 6 and 8pm in Almonte at Old City Hall. What we really need from our snowmobiling community is a strong show of support in numbers attending this event, and to hear the concerns so that we may all work together to have multi-use trails that will benefit all residents and people of all recreational interests.
Please look at the attached information sheet and join us next Thursday!
This is where all the great ideas start… Club meeting tonight at clubhouse (Kinburn Community Centre). Use far left entrance doors to go into board room. 7PM tonight. All WC sledders are welcome 
Hope to see you there!
Join the fun at the 2017 WCSTA 5th Annual Poker Run, in support of The Snowsuit Fund.
This year’s event is being held on Saturday February 4th in partnership with Kinburn Community Association – starting and finishing at Kinburn Community Centre. The Poker Run is a great way to get out and run our trails in West Carleton – and raise money for a great cause. Starting with breakfast between 8 and 11 am, and ending with dinner and prizes afterwards, it will be a great day!
All proceeds go The Snowsuit Fund which helps children under 19 years old where their family cannot afford winterwear.
To date, our poker runs have raised $5200.00, which has helped 148 children in our area keep warm in the winter. So, come out for the outdoor fun and/or dinner and help us keep this going!
We will also be collecting gently used winter jackets, gloves, boots etc…. So please drop off what you can.
Schedule
Breakfast 8 – 11 AM, served by WCSTA volunteers
Registration from 10 – 11 AM
Snowmobile Poker Run starts at 11 AM sharp.
Community Centre with Cash Bar opens at 3 PM
Dinner at 6 PM with many prizes from the Poker Run and for the “dinner only” guests.
Location
Kinburn Community Centre, 3045 Kinburn Side Rd., Kinburn, ON. (There will be plenty of parking on site for those who wish to trailer to and from the event).
Poker run and dinner tickets:
(per sled – includes community charity dinner for one and one poker hand):
35.00 Early Bird (limited number) plus service charge online only at eventbrite.ca
40.00 after Early Bird sold plus service charge
25.00 Youth (12-18 years old)
Community Charity Dinner only tickets: $20.00 plus service charge
Children under 12 free!
Additional poker hands: $5.00 each
Prizes: 1st, 2nd, 3rd place, oldest/youngest riders and more!
Thanks to our many sponsors, who have contributed some fabulous prizes:
Title Sponsors:
Sponsors:
Black’s Corners Motorsport
Budau Manufacturing
Eli El-Chantiry, Councilor Ward 5
George’s Marine & Sports
The Hamilton family
Jaws Performance
Kanata Myers Chevrolet
Nicholls Gas Bar
Perth Power Sports
The Prior Sports Bar
Sammy’s Pizza
Urban Ford Arnprior
Please contact us if you or your company is interested in becoming a sponsor!
Remember, proceeds will benefit The Snowsuit Fund. We’ll be collecting donations of new and gently used winter wear (snowsuits, hats, mitts, boots) of all sizes. Let’s help out a great cause and have fun on the trails!
Please visit this site or our Facebook event, West Carleton Snowmobile Annual Charity Poker Run in Support of the Snowsuit Fund! for updates or cancellations.
For additional questions please contact Scott Hamilton
We hope to see you there 🙂
Photo by Martin Lortz for Ontario Tourism
Every year when snow is on the ground and our throttle thumbs are itching, our club is often asked why some trails remain unavailable for riding each year longer than others. While weather, running water and terrain play a big part in it, opening trails and keeping them open is a process with many moving parts. To help explain, please have a look a the attached article, by Craig Nicholson and Graham Snyder, and courtesy of OFSC Go Snowmobiling Magazine, Vol. 8 #2.
GSM Vol8#2 OFSC – Crossing Farmers’ Fields
IMPORTANT message regarding riding on rail line from Carp to Craig Side Rd.
We have been informed that the people who keep the track clear for the trains are having trouble as some Snowmobilers are running down the section of track to connect with the trails. Please STOP doing this. Self explanatory. You are trespassing….
Here is a notice from the CN website:
ATV and Snowmobile Safety
Safety starts with you…
- Riding a snowmobile or ATV can be an amazing outdoor experience. It can also be fatal — in the wrong hands. Here are some tips for riding safe.
- Cross only at designated locations (it is illegal and dangerous to trespass on railway property).
- Ride on approved trails only (look for signs about approaching a railway crossing).
- Expect a train on any track, in either direction, at any time.
- Be especially cautious at night or in snowy conditions (both make it difficult to see obstacles, passing trains or railway crossings).
- Stop at railway crossings to ensure you don’t ride in front of or into the side of a passing train.
- Contact the railway (using the emergency number prominently posted at crossings) or call 911 immediately if your ATV or snowmobile gets stuck on a track or railway line (a train can come at any time).
- Keep in mind that helmets, engines, wind and weather may muffle the sound of an approaching train.
- Do not ride next to the tracks (locomotives and railway cars are wider than the rails, leaving little or no room for you).
We are happy to announce that SOME West Carleton trail conditions have allowed us to open them to LIMITED status. Please check the ITG before you ride to see what trails are opening up!
Don’t forget to pick up your free 2016-17 Trail Guide at the clubhouse or one of our many supporters. There are lots of changes and some new trail! And, please support our sponsors!
Printed maps now available at the following locations:
Aquatopia Cafe – March Road @ 417
Blacks Corners Motorsports – Polaris – Carleton Place, Hwy 15
Carp Shell Gas Station – March Rd @ hwy 417
George’s Marine – Yamaha
The Lighthouse Restaurant – Constance Bay
Long Island Marina – 1424 Commodore Dr. Kars
March Road Motorsports – March Rd just East of Almonte.
Nicholls Gas and Variety – Dunrobin Rd. at Kinburn Rd.
Perth Power Sports – Ski Doo
The Point Lounge – Constance Bay
Sammy’s Restaurant – Dunrobin
Urban Powersports Yamaha in Arnprior.
Due to deteriorated conditions all West Carleton trails are currently closed. Please watch the Interactive Trail Guide for updates and be respectful of our land owners by staying off of their property until we are able to reopen. Thanks!
The WCSTA Trail Guide and map for the 2016-17 season is now available in PDF format. There have been quite a few changes and some exciting new additions to West Carleton trails for the 2016 – 2017 season. Much hard work has gone into getting access to the two sections of the old rail line between Arnprior and Blakeney and getting it opened up for OFSC member use. The BEAST has also been granted use of the same rail line from Carleton Place to Smiths Falls.
Printed versions to arrive very soon. To see our latest trail routes right now, download a PDF Trail Guide.
Pick up a printed copy when you’re visiting local club supporters and businesses in the new year. And please remember to support the businesses who have made this guide possible by advertising in it!
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