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ATVs
LIVE HERE!
There
are many species of wildlife and plants that are indigenous to Georgian
Bay Country and no doubt you will delight in discovering these as you
travel throughout this spectacular region of Canada. There is also
a quite different kind of creation that lives here and is as much at
home on a piece of granite as our Massassauga rattle snake, in the water
as a beaver or scurrying down a trail over and around logs as our
winsome chipmunk. This creature is an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) or
Quad. In
this part of Canada we sit high on a ledge of rock and water – the
great CANADIAN SHIELD.
It’s a spectacular assemblage of geography that combines rugged
Georgian Bay shoreline with hundreds of thousands of lakes the glaciers
left behind in their haste to head south.
All told we have more coastlines and land bridges than almost
anywhere else in the world.
The ATV is the perfect freedom machine that almost molds itself
to the land and easily traverses the variety our wilderness affords. The
popularity of ATVing is growing in leaps and bounds. Currently ATV
sales are surpassing snowmobiles sales at a rate of 4:1. The
tourism benefits to Ontario could reach as high as $4 Billion per annum
if the snowmobiling model is any indicator. According to
Motorcycle & Moped Industry Council figures the recent explosive
growth in ATV sales has pushed Ontario ahead of Quebec, the former
leader with over 12 years in the ATV tourism field.
A great challenge to tourism and recreational ATVers alike is to
find the balance between freedom experiences and ecological stewardship.
Fortunately stakeholders in tourism and natural resources are
finding common ground to manage this opportunity. SPRING
JAM 2003 – CANADA’S LARGEST ATV JAMBOREE At
the end of April this year nearly 400 ATVers participated in Spring Jam
2003 hosted by the Parry Sound ATV District Club.
The event heralded the ‘birth of an industry’ in Ontario and
has had far reaching impact both economically and recreationally in this
region.
As a Community Based Tourism Product, the sport of ATVing offers
innumerable options to both visitors and residents alike.
Community partnerships and municipal support was unprecedented
for a first year event in the Parry Sound/Georgian Bay area. The
‘Welcome Jammers’ campaign both drew business to the area and
provided a measuring stick for economic and social impact.
Not only did 400 ATVers enjoy a phenomenal weekend of trail
riding and exhibitions but also over $160,000 flowed through the
community.
Over $12,000 was raised for the West Parry Sound Health Centre
mammography unit by our Four Wheelin’ Women’s Charity Ride.
Over 100 businesses financially supported Spring Jam 2003. Partnerships
were not limited to commercial interests.
Support was also forthcoming from regulatory agencies, town
councils, federal, provincial and regional agencies.
Is it any wonder the sport of ATVing is thriving here?
Spring Jam 2004 dates have been set for April 22-25 where the
Jamboree will morph into a festival.
Keep an eye on www.springjam.ca
for many exciting announcements. RECREATION
AND DISCOVERY
The
future of ATV recreation in Georgian Bay Country is vibrant with the
promise of many new trails complemented with a well-established tourism
infrastructure.
Not only is this area the place to be if you own an ATV it is
also a great place to try the sport for the first time. You will find
that many attractions, accommodations and services featured in this
publication cater to the ATV adventurer.
Many volunteer groups of trail enthusiasts are working very hard
to open this sport to all who appreciate the unique and spectacular
aspects of our wilderness.
Whether
you are a seasoned resident or a curious visitor wanting to discover a
‘different’ Canada, if you are up for a little sunny rejuvenation
and would like to experience an ATV adventure of your own while you are
here contact the Parry Sound ATV District Club (www.psatv.ca)
at 705-774-9778 or check out the ads throughout FUN in the SUN.
You’ll soon discover why ATVs LIVE HERE! About
the Author:
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