Timmins trail upgrade

[Blake G]

http://www.timminspress.com/2016/11/22/upgraded-trails-could-extend-snowmobile-season?

 

TIMMINS - The Timmins Snowmobile Club (TSC) was not waiting for the first big snowfall before making local trail improvements.

Club executives were out Friday checking on the newest upgrade to the popular A111C trail that runs through Timmins, connecting to two major trails in this part of the province, Top-A and Top-C.

The change will see the familiar A111C being moved from the space beneath the powerline off Lafleur Drive, to a newly built trail nearby that runs parallel to that powerline.

TSC president Raymond Corbeil said it is a significant improvement that will make the trail safer and easier to navigate.

“We are preparing our new trail because the other one was flooding at the entrance,” said Corbeil pointing to an area of low ground near Lafleur Drive. He said several truckloads of sand have been brought in along with a backhoe from the Miller Group (Miller Paving) to do the upgrade work. He added that the new section of trail is on land owned by the City of Timmins.

He said the hope that the upgrade will allow the trail to freeze up more quickly when the really cold weather sets in.

“We can extend the snowmobiling season by about two weeks before and after,” he added.

TSC communications director Gil Fortin said safety was another issue looked at with the new section of trail.

“By staying away from most of the powerline, it will be much safer for the snowmobilers and our groomer operator who doesn’t have to go in between the guy wires to prepare the trails,” said Fortin. He said this portion is the trail is used a lot throughout the winter.

“It is a very important link because this actually brings you downtown,” said Fortin. He said it is a convenience for the sledders but also a benefit for the restaurants, hotels and retailers that are situated near the trail.

“If we didn’t have this trail, the snowmobiler would have to do like 60 kilometres from one way or the other way just to get to the other side,” said Fortin.

Fortin explained that the Top-C trail bring in riders from the south and west areas such as Gogama and Shiningtree, with links to Sudbury.  The Top-A trail brings in riders from communities along the Highway 11 corridor and can bring riders up to Hearst or south to Temiskaming Shores.

At this point, Corbeil and Fortin said they are happy with the trail work, but said what they really want to see a good freeze-up in the Timmins area followed by several days of continuous snowfall.

[Blake G]

http://www.timminspress.com/2016/11/22/upgraded-trails-could-extend-snowmobile-season?

 

TIMMINS - The Timmins Snowmobile Club (TSC) was not waiting for the first big snowfall before making local trail improvements.

Club executives were out Friday checking on the newest upgrade to the popular A111C trail that runs through Timmins, connecting to two major trails in this part of the province, Top-A and Top-C.

The change will see the familiar A111C being moved from the space beneath the powerline off Lafleur Drive, to a newly built trail nearby that runs parallel to that powerline.

TSC president Raymond Corbeil said it is a significant improvement that will make the trail safer and easier to navigate.

“We are preparing our new trail because the other one was flooding at the entrance,” said Corbeil pointing to an area of low ground near Lafleur Drive. He said several truckloads of sand have been brought in along with a backhoe from the Miller Group (Miller Paving) to do the upgrade work. He added that the new section of trail is on land owned by the City of Timmins.

He said the hope that the upgrade will allow the trail to freeze up more quickly when the really cold weather sets in.

“We can extend the snowmobiling season by about two weeks before and after,” he added.

TSC communications director Gil Fortin said safety was another issue looked at with the new section of trail.

“By staying away from most of the powerline, it will be much safer for the snowmobilers and our groomer operator who doesn’t have to go in between the guy wires to prepare the trails,” said Fortin. He said this portion is the trail is used a lot throughout the winter.

“It is a very important link because this actually brings you downtown,” said Fortin. He said it is a convenience for the sledders but also a benefit for the restaurants, hotels and retailers that are situated near the trail.

“If we didn’t have this trail, the snowmobiler would have to do like 60 kilometres from one way or the other way just to get to the other side,” said Fortin.

Fortin explained that the Top-C trail bring in riders from the south and west areas such as Gogama and Shiningtree, with links to Sudbury.  The Top-A trail brings in riders from communities along the Highway 11 corridor and can bring riders up to Hearst or south to Temiskaming Shores.

At this point, Corbeil and Fortin said they are happy with the trail work, but said what they really want to see a good freeze-up in the Timmins area followed by several days of continuous snowfall.