Plans to make Corner Brook more ATV friendly gaining momentum

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A Corner Brook businessman who wants to see the city become more accessible to ATV traffic says progress is being made towards that goal.

Craig Borden of Rugged Edge not only sells and rents all-terrain vehicles, but also does guided tours for guests.

He is tired of having to transport machines to a location outside the city to start tours and has been advocating for the outskirts of the city to be linked to the existing trail networks that can take riders deep into the great outdoors.

In a story by The Western Star in September, Borden said Corner Brook is missing a big economic opportunity by not being more welcoming to ATV users who now have to bypass the city.

Since then, Borden has been meeting with other like-minded folks and has been contacted by others who want to do what they can to improve access. He said the City of Corner Brook asked for a meeting to discuss how the municipality could help and he also met with the provincial Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation and the Western Newfoundland Destination Management Organization.

Borden has also met with representatives from Corner Brook Pulp and Paper regarding road building best practices and is planning to meet with both the Western Sno-Riders and the Newfoundland and Labrador Snowmobiling Federation to get their input.

“We haven’t encountered one negative comment about what were trying to do yet,” said Borden. “Everyone we’ve spoken with has been supportive and willing to help.”

Borden said the effort hasn’t reached a point where funding will be sought, but he hopes it won’t cost all that much to rough out and build an accessible trail in the Lundrigan Drive area. He said some businesses have come forward to offer in-kind support that would be needed, including some heavy machinery, and other people have indicated they are willing to volunteer their time with the project.

The talks have also included the Blow-Me-Down Trails, which has its cross-country ski trails located near where the new ATV trail might go.

Borden said there are a couple of routes being proposed and the trail would only need to be around two kilometres to connect the city to the existing trails.