Acting on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, Jacques Gourde, Member of Parliament for Lotbinière-Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, today announced the awarding of $90,000 in non-repayable funding to Club motoneige Alton Inc. for the acquisition of a new snow grooming machine.
"The Portneuf RCM is a territory well suited to the practice of snowmobiling. With this financial support, our government is encouraging the growth of winter tourism in Portneuf and across the greater Québec region," said Mr. Gourde.
Club motoneige Alton oversees the maintenance of 148 kilometres of snowmobile trails, 70 kilometres of which are part of the Trans-Québec network. The purchase of this new snow grooming machine will enable the organization to guarantee all users safe and accessible trails that meet snowmobile industry standards.
"This equipment will allow us to improve access to our trails while reinforcing the region’s position as a choice destination, especially among snowmobilers from the United States and Europe," said Jean-Marc Savard, president of Club motoneige Alton.
Snowmobiling and quad riding in the Québec tourist region generates more than $39 million in economic spinoffs every year, benefiting hotels, restaurants and equipment rental shops, among others. Club motoneige Alton is thus adding its efforts to those of regional economic stakeholders in consolidating and strengthening the popularity of the province’s 33,000 kilometres of trails on markets outside Quebec.