The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
On a trial basis only, the City of Flin Flon has passed the third reading of the 2009 ATV by-law to allow all-terain vehicles on specific roads to access the City Limits. ATVs "will be permitted between the hours of 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.," read Flin Flon City Councilor Colleen McKee during the council meeting. The third reading, which took place on Tuesday at the regular City Council meeting, will temporarily allow residents to use their ATVs within town rather than using a trailer to get past the City Limits. Roger Armstrong, a local ATV enthusiast, says having the by-law passed went beyond their expectations. "It's far better then what we wanted," said Armstrong, noting that originally, the request was to allow ATVs on the snowmobile routes to access the City Limits. "But what the City brought in is far better." With a number of roads and alleys open for ATVers to use, Armstrong says he hopes to see people using the alleys as much as possible. "We're hoping most traffic (stays on) the alleys," he says. With as much freedom as they have, Armstrong says he doesn't think it will cause any problems. "Some (people) are going to have to use some roads because of the way (our) City is (laid out)," he says. Comparing Flin Flon to a typical western town, the city is not designed on a square grid. "Some may have some difficulty getting out of town without crossing (a road), but I don't think we're going to have any problems with traffic." In a letter to City Council, concerned residents Judy and Dale Zimmer had this to say: "Before your second and final reading and passing of the ATV by-law, please consider the following amendment to 'include Bellevue Avenue from Third Avenue to Ross Street as an excluded route to ATVs and snowmobiles.' "Traffic flow on the street is already a concern as Bellevue Avenue is one of the main traffic links to the Southern end of Main Street. "It is adjacent to Rotary Park; is a designated school bus route; and is utilized by Driver's Ed. "This is a playground area. For safety reasons alone, there is absolutely no reason for ATV or snowmobile enthusiasts to share this already busy street." Council read the letter but agreed that Belllevue Avenue would remain on the route on trial. Counc. McKee said the suggestion was heard, but things will remain as they are for now. "It's not necessarily going to stay that way," McKee said at the council meeting, "but we'll give it a shot and see what happens." Reactions and responses from the public are encouraged and Counc. McKee says she appreciates the input. "We want to hear what the people think," she said at the meeting. As another stipulation, the city is enforcing the curfew Ð but Armstrong doesn't see that being a problem either. "I don't see it being a problem," he says. "Most (quadding) gets done during the day and the evening." For the rough estimate of 700 ATVs in town, Armstrong says it's a great thing the city has done. "I think it's an excellent thing the city has done for us," he says. "I hope people use (the roads) with respect and are hopefully following the Manitoba laws that are already in place." Treating the roads with respect and wearing a helmet are just a few of the laws Armstrong was referring to. "I think there's probably 600-700 quads in town and probably all or some of them, from time to time, will use the roads for access," he says. "Some will trailer if they have a long way to go, but (this) throws a whole bunch of options your way." Maps can be picked up at City Hall with more information on which roads are excluded from ATV use.
