GRCA unable to reach licence agreements with snowmobile clubs

At the August 28, 2020 GRCA General Membership meeting, board members received Report Number GM-08-20-52 – Snowmobiling Agreements on GRCA Lands. Despite ongoing discussions, the GRCA and the snowmobile clubs have not been able to reach a mutually acceptable agreement. Without the licence agreements in place, snowmobiling will not be permitted on GRCA lands during the 2020-2021 season.

Background

For many years, snowmobiling had been a permitted recreational activity on specific GRCA properties through licence agreements with the following snowmobile clubs: District 9 (Conestogo, Arthur Snowblazers and the Fergus, Elora, Belwood snowmobile clubs); District 5 (Elmira Snowmobile Club); and District 4 (Orangeville & District Snowmobile Association and the Hillsburgh Snow Roamers). These licence agreements outlined the provisions for use of GRCA land and established a small fee.

In September 2019, the GRCA received a request from the District 9 snowmobile clubs to amend some of the clauses in their agreements, which were due for renewal. The requested changes to the agreements would have substantially increased the GRCA’s obligations, liability and risk as a private landowner. Accordingly, the GRCA advised the District 9 clubs that it was unable to accept the amendments. Renewed agreements were sent to all of the local district snowmobile clubs, without revisions. The agreements were not signed. In November 2019, GRCA staff were contacted by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) to further consider the requested amendments to the licence agreements with all of the local districts. Consideration of the requested revisions could not be completed in time for the 2019-2020 snowmobile season and the trails were rerouted off of GRCA property.

Since that time, the GRCA has continued its discussions with a representative of the clubs in order to determine if a mutually agreeable solution could be reached to permit snowmobile use on GRCA properties for the 2020-2021 season.

The board report outlines a number of options that have been explored by both the GRCA and the clubs, including: further review of the revisions requested, a reduced trail network, and the option that the clubs obtain additional insurance coverage. The additional coverage explored included a package to cover the obligations as stipulated in the original agreements or a package that would respond to incidents involving non-snowmobilers that could be attributable to the action/lack of action undertaken by the clubs.

The GRCA remains unable to agree to the clubs’ requested revisions. In order to accept the revisions, the GRCA would need to develop an enhanced risk management program to mitigate the GRCA’s obligations, liability and risk. This would require additional inspections, signage, equipment and staffing needs, resulting in increased costs to the GRCA. Currently, the GRCA does not have the framework, resources or capacity to implement such a program. The majority of the trails where snowmobiling was permitted under the agreements are multi-use trails located on passive lands. These GRCA properties do not generate revenue and are not staffed. Typically, these increased costs would be compensated through increased licence fees. The snowmobile clubs’ licence fees were minimal and reflective of the GRCA’s risk and obligations under the original agreements. With increased risk, there is also potential for additional increased costs for insurance premiums in the event of a claim or if a claim exceeds coverage.

“Through the licence agreements, the GRCA and the snowmobile clubs, together with the clubs’ dedicated volunteers, have provided a valued outdoor recreation experience on GRCA properties for many years,” says Helen Jowett, GRCA Chair. “While we would like to reach an agreement with the clubs, we must also consider other factors associated with the changes they have proposed.”

The GRCA would consider permitting a reduced trail network if the clubs were to consider modifications to their requested revisions and obtain additional insurance. A review of the licence fees may also be required.

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Media contacts:

Lisa Stocco, GRCA Manager of Communications
Phone 519-621-2763 x2316  |  Email lstocco@grandriver.ca

Cam Linwood, Communications Coordinator
Phone 519-621-2763 x2251  |  Email clinwood@grandriver.ca