I read with some interest the article in the August 25 edition of the Gazette where Sturgeon County council voted unanimously to defer a vote on the request from the St. Albert Nordic Ski Club (STANSKI) to use a snowmobile to groom the trails in the Sturg
What was of particular interest were the remarks of Coun. Don McGeachy, "I have a hard time supporting this in any way," he said. "I am sure that as soon as somebody sees a snowmobile operating in the valley during the day, everyone is going to try and do it."
I suspect if the councillor had ever seen a snow groomer he would likely concede that there is little chance anyone would confuse it with any other snowmobile used during the day. STANSKI is a non-profit organization that encourages Nordic skiing and the pursuit of physical fitness within St. Albert and Sturgeon County. The Sturgeon River valley is a jewel in this area and the bylaw to restrict snowmobiles and ATVs is a good one. However, Nordic skiing is one of the least intrusive of all winter sports, and the ability of skiers to enjoy this panorama should be encouraged.
Allowing the request of STANSKI to groom the trails with a snowmobile would allow the Nordic skiers within the region to enjoy this area more easily. The few times a year that the snowmobile would groom the trails would hardly open the floodgates to a mad rush of snowmobile activity. Enforcement of the existing bylaw would not change to any significant degree, in my opinion.
Kevin Hunsche, St. Albert
