New Dundee Snowmobile Club (NDSC) Fall News Letter 2008
The fall of 2007 is upon us, but you sure would not know it with the warm weather we have been having lately. I would like to say we will be seeing the first signs of snow soon but with most people still having their pools open, playing golf in shorts, etc. I think most people are just enjoying the warm weather while it lasts.
We are coming off a successful snowmobile season for 2007 in South Western Ontario. While most of Ontario suffered from lack of snow in the winter of 2007 we were blessed with over 4 straight weeks of cold weather & large snow accumulations resulting in great trails for NDSC and surrounding areas. We are looking forward to another great local snowmobiling season on the NDSC trail system.
The quality of the NDSC trails for the last several years has been truly outstanding. The wonderful trails that we have are a hidden gem and we like to keep it that way! Of course without our cooperative landowners and the many volunteers we would have no trails. Our landowners continue to be the main reason we can continue to snowmobile on groomed trails - they are our largest asset. We absolutely MUST stay on the trail and respect the land that we use. We all must police the group that we sled with, lead by example.
ATV’s using our trail system has also become of great concern to us. Not only do they not have permission to be on our trails, they also cause heavy crop damage. If you know of anyone that is using their ATV on our trail or see someone please let them know they not welcome on our trails and they may be charged with trespassing.
For all those that snowmobile from their house to the trail please be respectful to all your neighbors along the way. It is not only a reflection of you but snowmobilers in general. Remember to stay off of people’s lawns, driveway and drive as quietly as possible.
As our trails become better and better it shows what a great job our groomer operators are doing. Unfortunately as the trails get smoother there is a tendency for some to drive faster and faster, but remember:
• The speed limit is 50 kph.
• Keep to the right on hills, always be prepared to meet someone coming from the opposite direction.
• Stay on the trail, you only have permission for the area between the stakes.
• Pay attention to all signs, please obey them.
Your family and all of us want you to arrive home safe and sound.
Executive members for 2007
President Dave Murphy
Vice President Doug Hallman
Signage Coordinator Pete Hansma
Past President Gary Habel
Permit coordinator Angie Parker
Secretary Todd Mowbray
Treasurer Kevin Ambrose
Response coordinator Doug Hallman, Dave Murphy
As a member of the Golden Triangle Snowmobile Association our executive attend monthly meetings to keep in touch with provincial and regional issues.
Trail Staking Day
The trail marking day will be Sat. November 24th 2007, meeting at 8:30am at Wilmot Rod and Gun. Watch our website and forum at www.newdundeesc.com for any changes to this date. By that time, individuals in charge of various sections of our trails will have contacted the landowners and will coordinate the marking of the trails. We have been very pleased with the turnout the last several years and look forward to seeing you that day. Come out and help the club and meet some new people!
Club Meeting Dates
Please attend these monthly meetings at 8:00pm at the Wilmot Rod & Gun club on the 3rd Tuesday over every month from October 2006 to April 2007.
Meeting dates are Oct 16/07, Nov 20/07, Dec 18/07, Jan 15/08, Feb 19/08 & Mar 19/08.
Permits
Permits this year are $180.00 if purchased before December 01/2007 and are $230 after.
There are special early-bird draws for those purchasing prior to Nov 1/07.
If you think $180.00 for a whole season is expensive, count the stakes/signs you pass in a 100 km trip or consider the price of a new groomer is around $160K.
It always boggles my mind when a select few careless snowmobilers have a snowmobile accident and think someone else is responsible for it. We had had three serious accidents on the NDSC trails over the past five years. As a result of these accidents two lawsuits were filed against our club and the corresponding landowner. The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) has done their job in protecting the landowners and ourselves from these lawsuits. It is claims like this that make our insurance premiums increase and ultimately it increases our permit cost. On a positive note our insurance premiums over that last couple of years have leveled off, so I think more people are getting the bigger picture. If we don’t obey the rules as set by the OFSC we won’t have snowmobile trails.
Where to Purchase Permits
• New Dundee Village Market, Queen Street in New Dundee.
• Executive and trail captains of NDSC.
• NDSC general meetings which are the 3rd Tuesday of every month from October-March
Web Site
Check out www.newdundeesc.com for weather, trail reports, our forum and links to other sites.
Finally
Have a safe, wonderful winter. Stay on the marked trails, obey the signs, don't drink and drive, don't litter and above all please respect the land that the trails are on.
Dave Murphy, President, NDSC