Closure of Halfway Haven could have devastating effect on snowmobile tourism

Craig Nicholson, well-known to snowmobilers as a Toronto-based freelance journalist, writer and communications consultant with a passion for motorized recreational activities, has stepped forward to voice his support and advice for the owners of troubled Halfway Haven.

As reported earlier by SooToday, the U.S. owned lodge, situated 140 kilometres northeast of Searchmont and accessible by a road off Highway 101, is reeling from the impact of COVID-19 on tourism and is in need of infrastructure repairs.

The Michigan-based owners of Halfway Haven have announced the lodge will not be re-opening for upcoming seasons, but will be seeking public and/or private sector funding to keep up operations at the lodge, a vital link for fuel, food, accommodation and safety for snowmobilers on long distance wilderness adventures. 

“This isn’t only about Halfway Haven,” said Nicholson, known as ‘The Intrepid Snowmobiler,’ speaking to SooToday.

“Halfway Haven is a good example of one of the many vulnerabilities in the TOP Trails system in Northern Ontario.”

The Trans Ontario Provincial (TOP) Trails system of snowmobile trails is a provincial, border to border 18,000 kilometre, $21 million partnership between the Province of Ontario and the volunteer-based Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC), established from 1992 to 1995.

Halfway Haven is a safe spot, a link on the trails between Sault Ste. Marie and communities such as Searchmont, Chapleau and Wawa.

“If there’s no gas available (for snowmobilers needing to fill up at Halfway) the first thing that happens is that there’s no grooming. As soon as there’s no grooming, from a risk management and liability perspective, those trails have to close. There are 370 kilometres of trails right there that simply would close,” Nicholson said.

That, Nicholson stated, would lead to communities north of Halfway, such as Chapleau, being ‘orphaned’ if that network of trails closed, though local snowmobiling on trails in every community would, of course, still be available. 

Closure of Halfway Haven and the connecting trails would devastate snowmobile tourism for both Canadian and U.S. snowmobilers.

“It would be a huge hit on Sault Ste. Marie itself as the gateway to the system for Americans. The economic impact of snowmobiling annually in Algoma Country alone is $25.2 million according to a 2019 economic impact survey done by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs,” Nicholson said.

So what can be done to save imperilled Halfway Haven and all that’s at stake?

“The first thing...is to create some discussion and concern (through social media). The second thing is I started reaching out to a variety of stakeholders like the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, to Algoma Country, Destination Northern Ontario and to a couple of individual entrepreneurs that I know in Algoma who are also active snowmobilers and actually have interests that may be affected by this,” Nicholson said.

The timing of this crisis is actually of benefit, the snowmobile journalist said.

“This became known to people this month, in May, which buys us about six months until we get into next winter...so it’s a question of having the tool kit prepared and the funding agencies aware of the situation ahead of time to come up with solutions a whole lot faster if and when these kinds of things happen across northern Ontario.”

Nicholson, as a southern Ontarian, said he has not personally approached provincial government funding agencies such as the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) regarding financial help for Halfway Haven, but is urging Sault and Algoma sledders with expertise in dealing with government agencies to do so.

Sault MPP Ross Romano’s office was not immediately available for comment regarding the possibility of such assistance from NOHFC or other provincial funding envelopes.

Nicholson said any public or private sector solutions for Halfway Haven, or a combination of both, are welcome.

Spots such as Halfway Haven, a connecting link for snowmobilers, are an important attraction for southern Ontario snowmobilers, Nicholson said, stating space for snowmobiling in that hustle and bustle part of the province is dwindling.

He also said issues facing facilities such as Halfway are a “wake up call” for northerners who may take northern trails for granted.

A coordinated approach by stakeholders is crucial as they attempt to save Halfway Haven, Nicholson said.

“We want to make sure that we’re not stepping on each other’s toes or making redundant efforts and that all bases are being covered.”

It is hoped stakeholders will be able to present a request for funding to the province and/or the federal government’s FedNor agency as soon as possible.