January

Newsletter

January 12, 2024

North Shore ATV Club December 30 - Facebook

Message from the President

December, as usual was a hectic month with regular officer and committee meetings, interactions with staff, and members of the public in addition to the Christmas holiday season. I want to again thank the members of the Kings County ATV Club and ACAMUTS for their invitations to their member Christmas functions. I was unable to attend these events due to my requested attendance at an interprovincial event; and that was my loss. I have attended both club events in the past and they put on a great evening for their members and their significant others. What a great way to thank the membership and encourage team building!

It was my pleasure to attend, as ATVANS representative, the 25th anniversary of the QUADNB function. It was a well-organized and attended semiformal dress event highlighting their 25-years of existence. The master of ceremonies was Ryan Groom from the Trekkit TV series. I had several discussions with staff, club members as well as with members of the PEI ATV Federation regarding ATV issues. Some of the issues discussed were club financing, government interactions, volunteering issues as well as the upcoming reauthorization of our reciprocal access permit agreements.

I also attended a meeting, prior to the new noise bylaw second reading with the Town of Middleton CAO and their recreation director. Topics included the lack of communication and enforcement by the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables.

My concerns regarding the rail trail through Middleton, which I expressed in an email to the membership in December, still apply as we enter 2024 and I urge all members to promote safe responsible riding on our various trail systems. Promoting respect for all stakeholders on our trail systems is a win-win for all.

2023 closed out with a combination Christmas/New Year's event for members of the Digby County ATV Association. The superb catered supper (turkey, potatoes, stuffing, veggies, gravy, desert) was supplied to the members and their significant others. Conversation, laughter, prize draws* and music by DJs closed out a great evening. (I won a first-aid kit*)

2024 begins with increased memberships being received and processed. Road trails and increased riding opportunities, more member benefits, increased engagement with government, etc. will continue and accelerate throughout the year.

Here's to a great start to 2024 and an even better year end!

President, ATVANS

Executive Director Report

December is always a busy month for the office. Year end reports to grant funders, next year's funding applications and insurance preparations for 2024 consume significant administrative time.  

We attended a Wilderness Protected Areas meeting in Tantallon on Dec.20 and had a chance to speak with several important government officials from both the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. In addition, I spoke 

Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Tim Halman with ATVANS Vice President and Safety Minded Club VP, Tom Arnold. 

with the local MLA Daniel Barkhouse who hosted the event, Minister of Environment Tim Halman who made the announcement and councilor Pam Lovelace the H.R.M. councilor for the area. In attendance for ATVANS were Executive Director, Barry Barnet, Trails Coordinator Eric Rideout, Vice President Tom Arnold (also VP for the local club), and Safety Minded club member, Chris Morris.

More Discussions with Government Reps and Stakeholders

Waverly-Fall River-Beaver Bank MLA, Brian Wong dropped by the ATVANS office on Dec.11 to see the new location and chat with Executive Director, Barry Barnet.

Barnet said they had a great meeting. "We talked about ATVing in his constituency, the future of our sport, and our contribution to the Nova Scotia economy."

ATVANS Executive Director, Barry Barnet with        Waverly-Fall River-Beaver Bank MLA, Brian Wong

Lots of great dialog about OHV use on Barrett land and enforcement on Dec 5.

Barry Barnet and Trail Co-ordinator, Eric Rideout joined  David Barrett from Barrett lumber, Beaver Bank ATV club reps Ron Munroe and Johnathan Calnan, Minister Brian Wong, HRM Deputy Mayor Daigle, Councilors Blackburne and Lovelace RCMP rep and community members.

Lottery Update - Five Figure Jackpot!

The December draw was the largest of the year!

Over $20,000 was raised with a corresponding prize of over $10,000 going to the winner, Jeffery Theriault from Tantallon. Jeffery was supporting the Safety Minded ATV club. 

We continue to promote the Rafflebox lottery with direct emails and online posts. It is evident that clubs who promote the draw earn the most revenue from the draw. We are looking at other ways using Rafflebox data to widen our direct promotion. 

    ATVANS Executive Director, Barry Barnett with          Dec/2023 50/50 winner, Jeffrey Theriault.

The draw has now raised almost $145,000 for our clubs across Nova Scotia. We still have a few clubs that are not participating due to RJNS noncompliance. We understand they are all working to resolve those issues.  

Congratulations again to Jeffery Theriault from Tantallon!

2023 50/50 Draw Results

Total ticket sales for 2023: $80,040.00

Total payout to winners for 2023: $40,020.00

Total payout to clubs for 2023: $32,096.00

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Total ticket sales all-time: $368,125.00

Total money paid out to winners all-time: $184,082.50

Total payout to clubs all-time: $144,708.00

2023 Small Grant Fund Update

All $152,955 available to clubs for Small Grant funding in 2023 has now been allocated!

Twenty-five Small Grant applications were processed from 23-individual clubs. The money was spent across Nova Scotia; from Digby County in the west, to Isle Royale in the east, and up north to Cumberland County and Eigg Mountain.

Once again, we would like to thank the clubs for their continuing efforts and hard work in maintaining our trails throughout the province.

Board Member Profile:  Meet Shelton Benoit!

Shelton Benoit has been a member of the West Richmond Riders Association since it's formation in 2019 and    currently serves as the club president.

Shelton lives in Evanston and is a firefighter and advanced medical first responder for a local fire department. He was also a training officer and hose, hook, and ladder lieutenant until the beginning of this year. Adding to his busy schedule, Shelton also serves 

on the board of a local community hall which works side by side with their bike club. He says a few of the things he enjoys most about ATV'ing include "getting out with friends, being in the woods, and enjoying the wilderness - making memories with family and friends."

"I have to say club runs , the ATVANS AGM, meeting new people and just having a connection with people of the same interests have been some of my favourite times on the trails over the past several years."

Shelton adds that he decided to be a member of the board "to better the sport that not only I love - but we all love."

Highlights from the Clubs

Hubbards & Area ATV Club held their annual Toy Run on Sunday, Dec. 4. Toys for children and cash donations were accepted and went towards the local Lion's Club Christmas Wish Fund. In addition to a large collection of toys being donated, nearly $900 was raised for the Wish Fund.

Photo: Hubbards Area Lions Club Facebook Page.

Shore Riders ATV Club annual parade of lights on Dec 2. Gathering at the Chester Basin Legion.

Fundy ATV Club representing at the Elmsdale Christmas parade: Dec 2.

St Mary's ATV Club Fun Run: Dec 2.

St Mary's ATV Club Fun Run: Dec 2.

Digby County ATV Association and the Municipality clearing brush on the railbed near Weymouth.

Shore Riders ATV Club, with the help of OCR getting some trail work done on Dec.15.

North Shore ATV Club members Bob Stewart, James West, and Allison MacDonald clearing fallen trees on Dec.28.

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Office: 902-431-2880 or 1-877-288-4244 (toll free)

298 Cobequid Rd, Unit 1, Lower Sackville NS B4C 4C5

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