End of Season Message 2024
Dear Members and Volunteers,
As the snow has sadly melted and the season comes to an abrupt close, I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for your dedication, passion, and commitment to the sport of on-trail snowmobiling. Although short, this season has been filled with unforgettable memories, hard volunteer effort, shared adventures, and a few thrilling rides through the breathtaking winter landscapes of our district.
Your unwavering support and enthusiasm to your club and to the district has truly made this season as successful … as it could be given the weather. There is an important Sherry Anderson quote to consider: “Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless.” Whether you are a seasoned volunteer or a newcomer to the clubs, your participation has contributed to the success and camaraderie that define our snowmobiling community in Eastern Ontario. Volunteers, like you, are the driver to make the whole snowmobiling system work.
When the trails were available this season, I received a lot of positive feedback from riders about the excellent trail conditions even given the low snow conditions. A big shout out goes out to our grooming operators and grooming coordinators for making this happen!
As you can appreciate, our volunteer base is aging and dwindling in numbers, which puts the clubs and trails at risk. We sell over 10,000 Ontario Trail Permits in UCSR but the clubs function only a fraction of those people – about 1000 volunteers. We need your help! Contact us or your local club to see how you can help. A 3390 km trail network spread over 16 clubs starts and ends with well-organized and healthy clubs.
As we look forward to the next snowmobiling season with anticipation and excitement, let us take this time to reflect on the memories we have created, the friendships we have forged, and the experiences that have brought us together as a united snowmobiling family.
Thank you once again for your continuous support, dedication, and passion for snowmobiling. I am confident that the seasons ahead will be even more exhilarating and fulfilling. Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable summer. Stay safe, stay connected, and keep the spirit of snowmobiling alive until we meet again on the trails.
Warm regards,
Ian Edwards
President
UCSR
