Snowmobile Club appealing for Hollinger Park bypass

A long-standing debate over social media looks to be reaching city council chambers very soon.

The Timmins Snowmobile Club is expected to make a plea for a bypass around the edge of Hollinger Park, so that snowmobilers can access the Shell gas station.

Club President Raymond Corbeil says he’s been told the Shell is the only one offering ethanol-free fuel.

“Some of the newer machines, that’s the only gas they can use,” he said, “Otherwise, the warranty on the machines is void.”

Access has been a point of contention for officials with Sk8te Hollinger, along with many residents in and out of the city.  The park has seen snowmobilers, despite there being a by-law forbidding any snowmobile activity in any city park.

Currently, the OFSC trail goes over the old ONR bridge near Spruce Street and along the old rail line near Gillies Lake.  The Esso gas bar across the road from Shell is accessible by this trail.

The issue has also caught the ear of Timmins Police, who had to issue a safety reminder after sledders were caught on camera driving close to the rink while families were skating.

As for the trail system, Corbeil says nobody should be on them besides the volunteers trying to make them safe for users.

You don’t have too much longer to wait though, Corbeil says the OFSC trails should be open shortly.

Corbeil is hoping to make his request at the first city council meeting of 2017, slated for this Monday.