The Ontario government is providing $76,823 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation to the Sunset Trail Riders Snowmobile Club in Kenora.

The club is using the NOHFC funding to purchase equipment and renovate its storage facility.

“The Sunset Trail Riders Snowmobile Club faces yearly challenges putting in snowmobile trails because our current grooming equipment requires 16 inches of ice,” said Rick Vincent, Director, and Connie Gilbertson, Volunteer, Sunset Trail Riders Snowmobile Club.

“The opportunity to purchase lightweight grooming equipment that only requires 10 inches of ice allows for earlier trail availability and extends the snowmobile and winter tourism season. An early, more consistent season compliments the City of Kenora’s five-year economic development and tourism strategy. With this wonderful support from our provincial government, we anticipate great results.”

This will lengthen the region’s snowmobile season by approximately two weeks.

“With our government’s investment of nearly $77,000, members of the Sunset Trail Riders Snowmobile Club can start grooming snowmobile trails in our area earlier and later in the season, resulting in an extended season for locals and tourists alike,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development and Member of Provincial Parliament for Kenora-Rainy River.

Sunset Trail Riders Snowmobile Club is a non-profit organization that maintains 623 kilometers of groomed trails.

Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $717 million in 5,875 projects in Northern Ontario, leveraging more than $2.3 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 9,260 jobs.