YORKTON - Yorkton Council took the initial step to amend the city snowmobile bylaw to add to the in-city trail system, but it was not a unanimous approval.
The request came from the local Sno Riders Club with Jason Popowich making a presentation to the regular meeting of Council.
Popowich noted the club has recently located their new clubhouse to 263 Myrtle Avenue, and the trail groomers are stored at the new clubhouse.
They “are currently driving along Myrtle Avenue and York Road to connect to the existing trail system,” explained René Richard, Director of Engineering and Asset Management, with the city.
Popowich also noted, additionally, some members utilize their snowmobiles to attend club meeting with no trail access to the new clubhouse.
“The Club has requested an amendment to the bylaw to allow for a safe trail for snowmobilers to access an area near the new clubhouse across the street to attend meetings and for the groomers to have a trail access not located along the street,” said Richard.
The Sno Riders and the City of Yorkton have had a long-standing gentleman’s agreement that the Sno Riders, as main users of the trails, will take responsibility to mark, and maintain their trail including applicable signage, added Richard.
Richard explained, the proposed new access is located mostly on either legal right-of-way (undeveloped roadways) or City property. However, there is one location where it would cross a CN spur line. The groomed trail system already crosses many rail lines. So we would assume that the Sno Riders will obtain any necessary approvals for such crossings.
“The proposed access would also cross York Road, which would be considered a high traffic area. Again, groomed trails already cross several highways in and around Yorkton so it is assumed snowmobilers are accustomed to crossing roadways in a highway scenario,” he said.
“There is a section of Myrtle Avenue where residential properties could be affected by noise. This would be dependent on the amount of snowmobilers that utilize the new access and the speed by which they travel.”
Councillor Chris Wyatt was the first voice against the amendment.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea having snowmobiles come into the city. It doesn’t make sense to have that,” he said, adding they are “. . . not allowed in any other area of the city.”
Coun. Randy Goulden asked if there had been issues with other trail sections in the city?
“Not that I’m aware of,” replied Popowich.
However later Richard said “we (the city) do get some complaints from time-to-time,” adding in such instances it is dealt with by bylaw officers as required.
Coun. Darcy Zaharia said his concern was the building the Sno Riders are in now, the former city building Council was told was unsafe for staff ahead of construction of the new operations building on York Road. He questioned if the city is discussing that situation with the Sno Riders?
“I’m not aware that we are,” said Richard.
On the positive side both Goulden and Mayor Mitch Hippsley noted the trails attract tourism and that stimulates the winter economy of the city.
In the end the amendment received first reading with Wyatt and Zaharia sitting opposed. It will now go to the public for possible input before being back before Council for second and third reading in January.
