Welcome to the All Terrain Vehicle Association of Nova Scotia

ATVANS Logo

April

April 29, 2024

Message from the President

It’s good to see the increasing number of club events happening this spring. I would encourage riders to always wear their helmets as well as keeping their lights on. Keeping your lights on is a simple thing (also a legal requirement on road trails) but it allows for oncoming traffic to see you, as well as helping

your friends ahead of you check to see if you are still behind them.

I would also encourage members to introduce your non-member friends to the advantages of club membership by showing them the member benefits (accommodations, dealer, clothing, discounts, etc.) section at www.atvans.org. Reach out to your fellow members and enlighten everyone on the good work clubs do such as trail development and maintenance, mapping, public relations, etc. as well as making road trails on provincial road possible. We also work together with municipalities as ATVANS staff and club members have been meeting with municipalities all around the province. Together we are making a difference in the OHV sector in Nova Scotia.

I would also suggest that clubs send delegates and guest(s) to the AGM as it’s a great place to interact with the Board and club members from around the province.

Hope to see you there and thanks for the things we do.

Kevin Lombard
President, ATVANS

Executive Director Report

With winter behind us and springlike conditions in the forecast, clubs and members look forward to great riding opportunities and time to build and maintain our trail network. The past few months, briefly interrupted by COVID, have flown by like a rocket.

The Atlantic Outdoor Sports and RV Show was a huge success and we

Barry Barnet discussing road trails at an Oxford Town Hall meeting on Apr 3.

had great cooperation and support from our board at the event.
I personally want to thank everyone who was able to participate. It may have been the best Outdoor Show we have ever had. The booth looked great, our lottery went off without a hitch, membership renewals and new membership were awesome, and we looked like a great team.

Over the past number of weeks, I’ve had the opportunity meet with local municipal leaders and staff to discuss road trail opportunities and access to existing trail assets. I also attended public meetings in Gunning’s Cove, Shelburne County, Oxford and Colchester County. All were well-attended, and we were well-represented at these meetings.

Meeting in Gunning Cove, Shelburne County on March 28. Road trails and rail bed OHV use on the agenda.

Close to 150-people in attendance at the Gunning Cove meeting on March 28.

Our monthly newsletters are receiving positive feedback from clubs and members, and I want to thank Darren for his attention to this task.

We have received several inquiries from prospective clubs and two will be on the agenda for consideration today. This is a very positive sign for our sport and organization.

I continue to reach out to political leaders to help advance the issues concerning our sport and organization.

Membership remains very busy, and we are tracking now at record numbers. We still have a few clubs that remain a concern regarding their viability. Social media paid advertising may have helped create a boost for new applications in March and we have been repeating that again this month.

Thank you,

Barry Barnet

Executive Director, ATVANS

LOTTERY UPDATE: Over $3,000 Going to March's Winner!

Matthew Stewart is over three-grand richer following the March Rafflebox 50/50 draw.

The winning prize was $3.027.50 and the Beaver Brook resident is a member of the South Colchester ATV Club. Matthew's lucky ticket number was D-90269.

The top club for ticket sales in March was the Safety Minded ATV Association.

Meanwhile... The April draw on the 26th saw Eric Trottier of Arichat, on Isle Madame capture the jackpot. Eric will take home $2,080, with total money raised in the draw coming in at $4,160. The winning ticket number is C-93438.

Matthew Stewart of Beaver Brook receiving his cheque for $3,027.50 in the March 50/50 draw.

The Fundy ATV Club were tops for ticket sales in April, with Safety Minded just $5 behind.

The ATVANS Rafflebox 50/50 has now raised $152,130 for our clubs across Nova Scotia.

The next draw date is set for Friday, May 31 at 4:00pm.

Welcome to the ATVANS Family!

April sees a pair of new clubs join the fold.

One of the newest additions to the ATVANS roster of ATV clubs is the "BCALM Freewheelers Trail Society." The name of the group is derived from the names of the communities in their area of Cape Breton Island (B - Bateston,

C - Catalone, A - Albert Bridge, L - Louisbourg, Lorraine, M - Marion Bridge, Main-a-dieu).

The club has named its executive committee and is now busy recruiting members and preparing to begin managing their trails. They will hold meetings in Catalone and are hoping to have representatives at the ATVANS Annual General Meeting in May.

Say hello to the Musquodoboit Harbour Trail Runners Association! MHTRA is the most recent addition to the list - our 44th club. The newly formed club held its first meeting on April 23. Congratulations, and good luck!

Tales from the Trails

Sheet Harbour Snowmobile and ATV Club - Apr 6. (Facebook: Sheet Harbour Club - Kirk Robar)

Sheet Harbour Snowmobile and ATV Club. - Apr 6. (Facebook: Sheet Harbour Club - Kirk Robar)

Digby Cancer Run - Apr 7. (Facebook: Digby County ATV Association - Tracy Pothier)

UPCOMING EVENTS...

Let's Share Our Stories

ATVANS would like to thank all of the clubs and individual members who have shared their photos and stories with us over the past several months. We want to continue publishing our newsletters as a monthly feature, delivering informative, entertaining, and compelling content.

Lake Charlotte ATV Association - Feb/24.

West Richmond Riders Association - Apr/24

I encourage clubs/members to continue sending us any event re-caps, or stories that you might want to see in our publications. Accompanying photos are especially appreciated. These can include rallies, fun-runs, major trail-work initiatives, important trail or ATV-related announcements in your areas, and even recognizing individual club members for their contributions.

Material can be sent to us at comm@atvans.org

Thank-you, and Happy Trails.

Darren Baxter

Communications Coordinator, ATVANS

Partner Promotion

New Discounts for ATVANS Members!

ATVANS now has an exciting new partnership agreement with Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa. Members are entitled to receive special rates on hotel rooms & cottages as well as discounted green fees for larger groups.

Only 0.5km from the trail entrance off Victoria St. in Digby.

www.digbypines.ca