NEW BRUNSWICK ALL TERRAIN VEHICLE FEDERATION FEDERATION NEWS VOLUME 3, ISSUE 9 NOVEMBER 2008 INSIDE THIS ISSUE New Website + Trust Fund/Trail Strategy + Public Safety + 2009 Lottery Maps + Oromocto ATV Club + Holidays December Calendar of Events January Calendar of Events NBATVF EXECUTIVE MEMBERS President - Daniel Boucher Vice-President - Éthelbert Godin Secretary - Marc Haché Treasurer - Paul Branscombe General Manager - Jacques Poirier NBATVF OFFICE 1925 Hanwell Road, Unit C Hanwell, New Brunswick E3C 1M4 Phone: (506) 472-5130 or (506) 459-1411 or 1-888-847-1100 Fax: (506) 472-5140 Email: nbatving@nb.aibn.com 2 3 4 5 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE Hello dear members. I am proud to be the first to announce that the provincial government has just publicly announced their report on the New Brunswick Trail Strategy. This report entitled Reinvesting in the New Brunswick Trail System: A Long Term Management Strategy has been long-awaited by the 3 Trail Managers of the province for some time. It is exciting to see a real desire on the government s part to invest and work together with the 3 groups in order to achieve it all by 2014. What is particularly interesting are the different deadlines established. In this report, many are anticipated for 2009. Notably to put in place from now to 2009, a policy from the Department of Transport to allowing access to off road vehicles on designated routes. This new policy, which should be in place within one year should resolve many of our problems. For example, when we have two trails to join from point A to point B, access to services and certain infrastructures (bridges), etc. The Federation believes that this policy from the Department will resemble much like the one in Quebec. This will be greatly appreciated. But for every gain, it demands the efforts of all. And believe me, the Federation will be very active with this file, since two other government committees were formed to ensure the establishment and good workings of all the mechanics. NBATVF President Daniel Boucher I am very pleased our plan is completed, since we are arriving just in time with our Strategic Development Plan. This document will guide the government and different committees of our expectations and other challenges we are faced with. This winter season, don t forget to conduct maintenance on your ATV. ATV use in the winter is a very interesting activity, try it and I m sure you will like it. If you have the chance, try it! On behalf of myself personally, the Board of Directors, and Federation staff, I wish you all very Happy Holidays, and most of all, be careful while driving, and remember, alcohol while behind the steering wheel or handlebars, does not mix. Please be careful during this Holiday season. Daniel Boucher, NBATVF President
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 9 PAGE 2 NEW FEDERATION WEBSITE www.nbatving.com On November 18, the Federation launched their new and improved website. With a fresh look, additional links and the ability for log in access to forms, publications and more, www.nbatving.com is your first point of contact for all Federation news and information. Please use the Contact form to submit any comments or suggestions you may have, as well as request your Federation member club (Club Executive) username and password. TRUST FUND / TRAIL STRATEGY MEETING The Departments of Natural Resources, Transport, Tourism and Public Safety are all involved in approving trail applications. Each department had their own ways of doing things and were not working effectively together. Therefore, a Trail Strategy was developed that dictates how the departments work together to process applications. This Trail Strategy implemented two new committees; the Strategic Trail Working Committee and the Strategic Trail Steering Committee. The Working Committee consists of the same members as the Technical Committee. This committee is to establish a trail plan and standards and provide information to the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee consists of the same members as the Trust Fund Advisory Board. They will review the information provided by the Working Committee and filter it to government bureaucrats to make sure all developed trails are done in a manner that reduces any conflicts or problems. The Draft Policy Proposal from the Department of Transportation is expected to be approved in 2009. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY There was a meeting with the Department of Public Safety on November 24 regarding recreational closed courses. What they came up with was something that everyone can work with. The main goal is to make sure this works. We want to ensure no accidents, injuries or deaths happen. Discussions were held regarding standards for designing and maintaining closed courses, general requirements for operators of off road vehicles and requirements of the users of the recreational closed courses. The Federation recommends having a closed course official, such as a parent who has followed the ATV Safety Course, has first aid & CPR training, carries a first aid kit, cell phone or 2 way radio, and is identifiable with an arm band or vest to indicate they are the Closed Course Official. 2009 LOTTERY The draw is being held at the Atlantic Motorcycle & ATV Show in Moncton on February 15, therefore all sold and unsold tickets MUST be returned to the Federation office no later than February 2, 2009. The seller of the winning lottery ticket for the Honda ATV will receive $250.00 for his or her efforts for selling the ticket. Remember the more you sell, the more your club benefits.
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 9 PAGE 3 FEDERATION REGIONAL / PROVINCIAL MAPS Our Trail Coordinator, Ben Cyr, has provided each club of the Federation with their own Regional map. The Provincial and Regional maps have not been placed on the website to date, as the trails included in the maps are not all approved by government. Ben will be acquiring additional maps that will indicate which is an approved trail and which is a pending trail early in the New Year. These will be the ones placed on the website. If you have any questions, or you would like to order additional maps for your club, you can contact Ben Cyr at (506) 235-0533. The cost of additional maps is $15.00 + HST. OROMOCTO ATV CLUB FIRST ANNUAL GARY DOUCETTE MEMORIAL RUN Our Administrative Assistant/Accountant Cathy Comeau attended the First Annual Oromocto ATV Club Gary Doucette Memorial Run. This run was a great success with 33 ATVs/side by sides present. Cathy and Larry Sovey (member Oromocto ATV Club) tried winter swimming with a polar dip mid-run but decided this sport is way too cold. Prizes were awarded from Hawkins Equipment Ltd., MacLean Sports, Phil s Auto & Recreation, Eric s Motorsports, Sutherland Honda and Mini Motor Sports. Oromocto ATV Club members Representatives from Mini Motor Sports (from left to right): Michael Aubry, Anita Goodwin, Greg Gamble, Melissa Goodwin, Derrick Farquharson, Rebecca McKenzie, Dan Fowler, Devin Leblanc, Mary Fowler Larry Sovey (member) & David Doucette (Oromocto ATV Club President) FEDERATION OFFICE CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAYS The Federation s office in Fredericton will be closed for the holidays from December 22, 2008 to January 4, 2009 inclusively, reopening Monday, January 5, 2009. Federation staff Jacques Poirier, Ben Cyr, Cathy Comeau and Kira Simms wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
DECEMBER 2008 updated SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 7 8 9 2 3 14 15 16 17 21 28 DECEMBER 1 FUNDY TRAIL PROJECT (NBATVF MEETING) DECEMBER 1 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY (NBATVF MEETING) DECEMBER 1 REGION 7 MEETING WHERE: DAYS INN, OROMOCTO WHEN: 7:00 PM DECEMBER 4 REGION 5 MEETING WHERE: HOTEL MONCTON, 2779 MOUNTAIN RD, MONCTON WHEN: 7:00 PM DECEMBER 5 PERSONNEL, FINANCE & EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS (NBATVF MEETING) DECEMBER 6 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING (NBATVF MEETING) December 6 Albert County Trail Blazers Hillsborough Christmas Parade & Food Drive / Christmas Dinner & Dance with Live Band CONTACT: Club Hotline 857-6601 December 6 Skedaddle Ridge Trails People Christmas Party CONTACT: Lloyd Culberson 375-6688 / 324-3422 December 6 United ATV Club WHERE: Notre-Dame ATV Camp WHEN: 11:00 AM to 8:30 PM Food and beverages available at ATV camps CONTACT: John Goguen 576-6922 DECEMBER 10 PRESENTATION OF THE PLAN TO GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRATS (NBATVF MEETING) DECEMBER 10 PUBLIC RELEASE OF THE NEW BRUNSWICK ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE FEDERATION S STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN DECEMBER 11 WORKING GROUP COMMITTEE (NBATVF MEETING) December 13 Club VTT du Nord-Ouest Christmas at the Club CONTACT: Hermel Thériault 735-4453 December 13 Saint John ATV Club Ride for the Food Bank WHERE: Start corner of Otter Lake/Quaco Road WHEN: 2:00pm COST: $5.00 per person FOOD: Soup at the new shelter. Please bring a non-perishable food item. 50/50 CONTACT: Tim Clarke 643-0684 DECEMBER 18 ATV SAFETY TRAINING STANDARDS (NBATVF MEETING) December 20 Miramichi Off Road ATV Club Fun Run & Christmas Dinner WHERE: Walmart WHEN: 3:30 pm CONTACT: Scott Black 778-9542 DECEMBER 22 TO JANUARY 4 FEDERATION OFFICE CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAYS 4 5 6 12 10 11 13 19 18 20 22 23 27 29 30 December 27 Miramichi Off Road ATV Club Texas Hold Em Poker Tournament WHERE: D Town Pub, Douglastown WHEN: 6:00 pm COST: $20.00 entry fee CONTACT: Scott Black 778-9542 December 31 Club VTT du Nord-Ouest New Year s Eve Ride WHERE: Club House WHEN: Registration at 7:00 PM / Ride leaves at 8:30 PM and returns to club at 11:30 PM COST: $5.00 per person CONTACT: Éric Plourde 739-9049 December 31 United ATV Club Annual New Year s Eve ATV Fun Run WHERE: John s Camp (open at noon) COST: $10.00 registration fee CONTACT: John 576-6922
JANUARY 2009 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 CALENDAR OF EVENTS JANUARY 1 to JANUARY 4 FEDERATION OFFICE CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAYS 31 JANUARY 7 WORKING GROUP COMMITTEE / CROWN LANDS (NBATVF MEETING) January 10 Club VTT/ATV Chaleur ATV Run WHERE: Corner in Robertville at the Garderie Mélie WHEN: 8:30 AM registration / 10:00 AM start COST: $10.00 per ATV CONTACT: Éric Cormier 548-9223 JANUARY 15 OFF ROAD VEHICLE SAFETY COMMITTEE (NBATVF MEETING) January 17 Club VTT Nord-Ouest Spaghetti Supper WHEN: 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM COST: $6.00 per plate Ride in the afternoon. Open to members and general public. Prize draw. CONTACT: Réal (Moose) Couturier 735-3178 JANUARY 18 REGION 6 MEETING WHERE: LANCASTER LIONS CLUB, WILSON ROAD, SAINT JOHN WHEN: 10:30 AM MEET & GREET, MEETING STARTS AT 11:00 AM January 31 Club VTT Nord-Ouest CFAI-FM Ride CONTACT: Eric Boum Boum Morneault 736-9976 IF YOUR CLUB WOULD LIKE YOUR EVENTS PUBLISHED IN THE NBATVF NEWSLETTER, ON THE WEBSITE OR ANY OTHER COMMUNICATION, PLEASE SEND YOUR INFORMATION TO OUR COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR KIRA SIMMS VIA EMAIL AT nbatving@nb.aibn.com, FAX 506-472-5140 OR CALL HER DIRECTLY AT 1-888-847-1100.