District 11 Near North Trail Association officially opens trails for 2021
North Bay, Ontario, Dec 10th, 2021— This past year, the governments of Canada and Ontario have been working together to reduce the impact of the pandemic, ensure health and safety, rebuild businesses, and promote job creation, growth and investment across the country, including in Nipissing-Timiskaming as constituents across the region were feeling the impact of COVID-19 on their families, their livelihoods and their way of life.
In April of 2021, funding was announced to address recreational infrastructure projects with one of the recipients being District 11 Near North Trail Association, who were looking to improve their 2000 kilometer snowmobile trail system.
Today, John Miller, President and Governor of the Near North Trail Association, the Honourable Victor Fedeli, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade and Member of Provincial Parliament for Nipissing, and the Honourable Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing-Timiskaming and Speaker of the House of Commons, gathered to officially open the bridges for 2021-22 season.
The Government of Canada had previously invested $131,403 towards the project, while the Province of Ontario contributed $109,393 and the Near North Trail Association invested $87,711.
This project culminated in the completion of new bridges; 50’ bridge and 40’ bridge at Walder Creek in North Bay, trail improvements and the refurbishment of 1400 ft of decking & railings on 3 bridges in the West Nipissing area, as well as the purchase of remote trail equipment. This work increased trail safety and the user experience for snowmobilers along the 2,000 kilometre trail system within OFSC District 11.
All orders of government continue to work together for the people of Ontario to make strategic infrastructure investments in communities across the province when they are needed most.
Quotes
“On behalf of organized snowmobiling in Ontario, I’d like to express our gratitude to both levels of government for this significant contribution to trail improvements.
The Near North Trail Association (NNTA) and its 10 volunteer clubs operate 2,000 km of trails within OFSC District 11, stretching from Kearney to Martin River and Mattawa to French River. NNTA trails are a vital link within the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile clubs 30,000 km trail network. Located in the hub of snowmobiling, NNTA trails are well known as part of the RAP (Ride around Algonquin Park) and RAN Tours (Ride around Nipissing) snow tours.
Funding secured through the Federal & Provincial Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program's (ICIP) Community, Culture and Recreation (CCR) stream ensures the safe passage of snowmobilers by replacing 2 bridges and refurbishing 3, along with the purchase of new equipment necessary to maintain remote sections of trails.
This massive undertaking wouldn’t have been possible without the partnership of the 2 local clubs contributing $40K of their own fundraising dollars, and additional funding support of the OFSC in the amount of $32K. Working collaboratively we were able to complete these projects ahead of the 2021-22 snowmobile season! Our riders will continue to enjoy the Top D trail in West Nipisisng and the NB302 is now reopened with the installation of the new Walder Creek bridges.”
John Miller, President and Governor of the Near North Trail Association
“Investments that support our community, culture, and recreation, like our local snowmobile trails, will make life more enjoyable for our local families this winter.”
The Honourable Victor Fedeli, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade and Member of Provincial Parliament for Nipissing.
“It’s great to see all the hard work that the District 11 Near North Trail Association has put in to getting these trails ready for the upcoming season. This is why investing in community, culture, and recreational infrastructure is essential to creating healthy and inclusive communities. These investments create jobs, attracts tourism and builds more inclusive communities”
The Honourable Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing-Timiskaming and Speaker of the House of Commons.
Quick facts
• Under the Investing in Canada plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.
• Across Ontario, the Government of Canada has invested more than $8.5 billion in over 3,010 infrastructure projects.
• Over the next 10 years, the Government of Ontario is investing approximately $320 million across the province, and the federal government is investing approximately $407 million in Ontario under the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. This stream supports the construction of new facilities and upgrades to existing facilities that improve community infrastructure (e.g. community centres, libraries), and support upgrades to recreational venues (e.g. arenas, recreational spaces) and cultural spaces (e.g. theatres, museums).
• Ontario is investing over $10.2 billion under the Investing in Canada plan to improve public transit; community, culture and recreation; green, and rural and northern community and other priority infrastructure.
Related Products
Backgrounder: Three projects in Nipissing-Timiskaming receive Federal Funding
Associated links
Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-on-eng.html
Investing in Canada Plan Project Map
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/gmap-gcarte/index-eng.html
Ontario Builds Project Map: https://www.ontario.ca/page/building-ontario
Contacts
Matthew Sookram
Communications Coordinator
Constituency Office of the Honourable Anthony Rota
705-474-2202
Matthew.sookram.470@parl.gc.ca
Jessica Reynolds
District 11 Manager, Near North Trail Association
705-495-4333
district11@nnta.ca
Media Relations
Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
Email: infc.media.infc@canada.ca
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