The Yorkton Sno-Riders presented a Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association award to the City of Yorkton at the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday.
"The award was to recognize the City for their Outstanding Promotion and Development for Snowmobiling of the Year for their role passing a bylaw to allow two snowmobile trails into the City to access food, fuel and lodging," explained Jason Popowich, president of the Sno-Riders.
Popowich said the award for Outstanding Promotion and Development of Snowmobiling for the Year really reflects on a long relationship the City has had with snowmobiling.
"In the late 1990's, the Yorkton Sno-Riders worked strategically with the City of Yorkton to allow for two trails, that come directly into the east and west areas of the city, linking local and visiting snowmobilers to food, gas and lodging. This partnership was the first of its kind in the province and continues today to bring increased tourists to the city. Both these trails are groomed and well signed," said Popowich.
Popowich said the efforts were undertaken to help create activity.
With the help of local members of the Yorkton Sno-Riders and members of Tourism Yorkton, the City Council and staff, recognized the need to attract additional tourism dollars into the city during normally quiet months in the cold winter, he said.
"Year after year, sleds can be seen parked outside of local restaurants and hotels as more and more snowmobilers are travelling via sled across Saskatchewan filling up with fuel in local gas stations, enjoying a good meal at one of our local restaurants or staying overnight in one of our hotels," added Popowich.
Popowich said local efforts are something which has not been achieved in many other places.
"Sadly we hear stories of other snowmobile clubs in the province, which have attempted and failed to convince other city councils to allow sleds to enter their towns and cities," he said. " By recognizing these efforts provincially, this may convince other city councils to amend their snowmobile bylaws to allow snowmobile trails to enter their communities and improve the economy in the province."
