To the Editor:
In the past and present, there are many who always ask, “Why aren't the trails groomed and open? I pay for a Snopass and all the trails aren't open.” Well, I received a message from a Thompson citizen, a business man, and to make it short he stated with the Snopass we gain access to property to ride on (mainly down south with farmland) and help maintaining groomers for better trails (not sure how many clubs in Manitoba but the club receives a percentage according to groomed trails kilometres).
Now this doesn't mean the local club receives enough to cover all costs but this is why clubs have fundraisers. With the club membership ($20 for family, $15 for single) the Thompson Trailbreakers includes a steak barbecue potluck where the club pays for the steak at year-end. On top of that, with your membership card to the Trailbreakers, Paint Lake Lodge offers snowmobilers free coffee, pop or hot chocolate with the purchase of a meal if you show your club card. The free steak barbecue plus Paint Lake Lodge deal make the club membership well worth it.
One last thing: our club members who go out and sign, groom, cut trees, and mark Ospwagan and Paint Lake volunteer their time to open these trails. They are not paid. We always post for more help and people don't show but enjoy the trails once they are open. While people are enjoying the trails that are open first, myself as well as a half-dozen or so others are still out trying to cut the trees, and sign so the volunteer groomers can hit those trails. With more volunteers, our trails up here could be all open by the middle of December or earlier. Snoman does not start paying for grooming trails until Dec. 1. This year is looking good as ice is getting thick and some people have done some clearing of trees. We need some young blood to bring new ideas and events for raising money for our building.
Thank you.
Roy Yaciuk
Thompson
Roy Yaciuk has been a member of the Thompson Trailbreakers since 2012.
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