Pembroke opens Algonquin Trail to ATVs, snowmobiles
The City of Pembroke has removed a major blockade to ATV and snowmobile riders, now allowing them access to the Algonquin Trail throughout the entire city.
Until now, ATVs were never permitted on the recreational trail through Pembroke, and snowmobiles were only granted access to certain sections. Pembroke Mayor Michael LeMay says the decision to fully open the trail was driven by the economy.
"It's a case of developing tourism, and to do that you have to have something available," LeMay tells CTV News. "You have to make the city a destination in all four seasons."
A sign prohibiting ATVs along the Algonquin Trail. The City of Pembroke is opening up the trail to snowmobiles and ATVs this winter and in the coming spring. (Dylan Dyson/CTV News Ottawa)
It's a decision that has also made the Renfrew County ATV Club very happy.
"It's going to be a wonderful connecting piece to be able to bring our riders right here through the city of Pembroke, right along the marina, bring it in to the businesses," says club president Teresa Hebb. "It's great news."
Opening the trail through downtown Pembroke now connects the Algonquin Trail into one straight shot from Smiths Falls to Petawawa. Previously riders would use a decommissioned CN rail bed around the outskirts of the city, but a section of the rail bed recently became private property, leaving riders no where to go.
"136,000 riders in the course of a year use this trail system," says Hebb. "So that means that all those people, when this trail was closed, would have to turn around. They would come up from Arnprior, get as far as Pembroke, turn around and go home."
A sign along the Algonquin Trail prohibiting snowmobiles. The City of Pembroke is opening up the trail to snowmobiles and ATVs this winter and in the coming spring. (Dylan Dyson/CTV News Ottawa)
Hebb says the club has also donated $40,000 to the county, which owns the trail, to help maintain and improve it. Specifically through downtown Pembroke, ramps, stopping points, and parking lots are set to be added to allow ATVs and snowmobiles to turn off the trail for riders to access amenities.
"Riders will stop, they'll grab an ice cream, go into town, go to restaurants," says Hebb, who adds the club projects an additional $3-million in economic benefit now that access to the trail has been improved. "They're very much looking forward to it."
"It will be great for the community, and great for the county," says LeMay. "Especially now, we've gone through COVID-19, and I think more and more people as far as their destinations, I think we're going to see them within the province, and it doesn't matter where. So let's get on board with it."
Pembroke city council did raise concerns over possible noise and dust clouds before ultimately passing he vote, concerns Hebb is already working to solve.
"When you're on this trail, which is going to be a 20-kilometre an hour trail system, when you're riding on an ATV at 20-kilometres an hour, that noise is considerably less," says the club president. She adds a portion of the donation made will also go to dust sprays and deterrents to keep dust clouds at a minimal.
Grooming and maintenance by the county still needs to take place, which means ATV riders will likely have to wait until the spring before riding the new stretch through Pembroke, but the city's mayor says the trail should be ready for snowmobiles once winter arrives.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
Katy Perry's mom was fooled by AI images of the singer at the Met Gala
Katy Perry did not attend the Met Gala on Monday, but some of the singer’s fans – and even her mom – thought she did.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.