From the Huntsville OPP
Huntsville Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) would like to remind the public of the Ironman event happening this coming weekend. This event shines the light on our community and directly supports the local economy.
This types of event requires the work of so many volunteers who commit themselves to keeping the athletes safe and healthy. With that in mind, we are asking people to be prepared for delays on the roadways and even some road closures on the various cycling and running routes.
Cyclists and runners may not be aware of driver’s actions so drivers MUST share the road to avoid collisions with cyclists or pedestrians.
Huntsville OPP reminds all cyclists to obey the rules of the road, runners to run with awareness and motorists to share the road. It is a shared responsibility in keeping our Ontario roads safe.
Further to our Ironman event, Summer has started for school aged children. Motorists may encounter families and children out bicycle riding bikes or running on the roads, without regard for their own safety. Please be patient when driving around Huntsville this weekend and during the summer.
PLEASE SHARE THE ROAD
For more information please look at Huntsville Ironman 70.3 and/or Town of Huntsville websites for more details
The Huntsville OPP is committed to serving our province. If you have any information about crime in our community, please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To report minor occurrences online please visit www.opp.ca/reporting. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit your information online at www.crimestoppers.com. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display, and you will remain anonymous. You will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.00.
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John Earl, I agree with some of your concerns, but here are some counter points: this event has been taking place in Huntsville for 10 years, many of our local organisations rely on the Iron Man to raise funds (they generously donate money to each organsiation that provides volunteers to help with the race), they do not have a lot of flexibility in their scheduling because they have to coordinate events in countries all around the world, and it certainly DOES “shine a light on our community” on the world stage – I doubt any other single event draws so many international visitors. Having your road partially closed for one day a year for such an event should hardly be considered an inconvenience since you are living in what has almost always been a TOURIST town and this is what supports our economy, regardless of what month it is. Certainly it would be better if the event could happen in the shoulder season – but that may not be an option. We residents need to support tourism at any time of the year, even if we don’t always like it. As you say, most of us avoid driving near town in July and August because it is frustrating to have stop-and-go traffic (like this weekend). But most of us have learned to adapt and we go to Freshco at 7am when it is NEVER busy, even on summer weekends. Regardless of our manufacturing plants, we are still by far a tourist town and it is what keeps us alive. p.s. I have been volunteering at the races since they started (for various organisations) and it is always a very enjoyable event, the racers are great and thankful for the volunteers, and the only negatives I have experienced is a few locals driving like idiots on the race course, during the race – and locals constantly complaining about the inconvenience.
“OPP spokesperson quotes “ This Event Shines The Light On Our Community and Directly Supports our Local Economy”.
True but Not in during July or August Please.
Huntsville for many many decades have welcomed thousands and thousands of tourists,cottagers, & visitors during the months of July & August. Many of us it’s our bread & butter to survive the off months.
In my opinion why would we allow the the likes of the IronMan to come here during July or August when we already have jammed packed streets and roadways, so much that some of the locals avoid much of the town during July& August.
We all need collectively including town council in my opinion give our heads a shake and pursue these organizations to hold their events in the shoulder months.
Besides being a much inconvenience to resident taxpayers & businesses alike there also poses a potential large emergency issue concern.
Three of some of the largest industries located here are Kimberly Clark located off Ravenscliffe Road, Canusa located off the Aspdin Rd near Lakewood park, & the former Domtar/Panolam located on the Aspdin Road just beyond the Noted Aspdin Road closers.
If Panolam happens to have a fire emergency, to which they have had much too often in the past should be a concern.
Although each plant have their own in-house fire crews, they will quickly call for assistance from Huntsville Fire Department. Just imagine the chaos entering onto the Aspdin Road for Huntsville Fire Services, Volunteer Fire Fighters, & other emergency agencies. Having been a volunteer firefighter seconds & minutes are so important in responding to an emergency.
Also the cost to hold such a triathlon event at anytime is not only a disrespectful inconvenience to local residents living along the chosen route, but also the OPP are not a free service given by the Provincial Government. Huntsville along with other Muskoka property and business owners through our Municipal land & business municipal tax levy pay tens upon tens of thousands of dollars to receive OPP services. Some Ontario communities are almost crippled by the rising OPP charges to serve.
This triathlon most likely will require near maximum OPP service which we taxpayer’s are on the hook for, and probably very little from the Ironman organization.
In my opinion No More July & August events that have road closers in our populated areas in and near the downtown core .
July & August are and have been packed full to the limit. Do the triathlons in the shoulder months !
John R. Earl. Huntsville