.

Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - The annual Fort Smith Sno-Cross Races may not be held this year due to concerns raised to town council about the usual site for the event.

The usual site for the Fort Smith Sno-Cross Races is being questioned and club president Blaine Walterhouse says alternative venues are "just not available." - photo courtesy of Blaine Walterhouse -

At a Jan. 20 council meeting, one councillor said a family living near the race site has concerns about noise from the venue - a large field near the lookout over the Slave River.

Afterwards, the town contacted the Fort Smith Snowmobile Club, which sponsors the event.

"They asked us to find an alternate venue. They're just not available," said club president Blaine Walterhouse.

"The races are in danger of being cancelled," he added.

Walterhouse said there is no other site in the community big enough or clear enough.

Mayor Peter Martselos disagreed the races are in jeopardy.

Martselos said the snowmobile club was simply asked if any other site was available for the races.

"If not, it's going to take place where it's taken place every time," the mayor said.

Martselos added he is confident the races will go ahead this year.

The mayor said he and council always support events coming to the community, adding the races bring dollars into the local economy.

When told of the mayor's comments, Walterhouse's concerns were not alleviated.

"My understanding is we have been turned down for that area," he said, saying it was suggested the club could write a letter of appeal.

Walterhouse said the club will appeal to council to change its position.

The venue issue will have to be resolved by roughly mid-February for this year's event to go ahead.

Walterhouse said it was also suggested the club consider the old racetrack as a new venue, but he said that area is not safe because it contains stumps and is full of debris.

The races, which are set for March 28 and 29, are part of a Great Slave Snowmobile Association circuit involving six other communities - Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Resolution, Fort Simpson and the Alberta towns of Fort Chipewyan and High Level.

This would be the fifth year for the event in Fort Smith.

Walterhouse said the races have an important economic impact on Fort Smith, adding they bring in 50 to 75 riders along with family members for a total between 100 and 150 people over two or three days.

"I would have to say we're second to the Friendship Festival," he said, referring to a music event held each August.

"We're frustrated why an event of this magnitude does not have the support of town council," Walterhouse added.