WHEREAS the need to diversify northern communities to ensure economic sustainability and growth has never been as evident as it is at this present time in our history; AND WHEREAS the snowmobile industry offers a viable economic enhancement by attracting snowmobiling enthusiasts to our areas and promotes our importance as preferred snowmobile destinations: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities lobby the Ministry of Transportation to consult with communities in order to identify and prioritize the cleaning of snowmobile parking and staging areas along the highway corridors.
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure The Ministry of Transportation recognizes the recreational and economic benefits of snowmobiling. Ministry staff meet with local snowmobile clubs, the maintenance contractor, and other agencies, such as MoFR, to discuss parking options for the public while snowmobiling. Many of the existing parking lots are located not on provincial highways but off of MoFR roads. The Ministry has assisted snowmobile clubs by providing directional signage to these lots. The priority areas for the Ministry during and immediately following a snow fall are the main routes - this is typically when recreational snowmobilers want access to parking area. Currently the Ministry is not funded for maintaining snowmobile parking areas. The type of snow removal equipment for clearing these types of parking areas is very different than the type used for in-stream highway type applications. Some snowmobile parking lots can exceed 10 acres in size and require additional maintenance, such as surfacing, grading, litter cleanup and washroom facilities. The snowmobiling associations often collect trail fees on designated trails. The Valemount snowmobile association collected over 85,000 in a single year through these fees and have hired a private contractor to maintain their parking sites. The Ministry currently does not provide parking areas for the snowmobiling industry. However, the Ministry would consider any application from business for them to develop parking facilities. The Ministry does work locally with snowmobiling groups and may assist with snow removal after all highway priorities are met.