Woodstock Council looks to establish working partnerships with significant tourism events
Woodstock Council has directed town staff to finalize a partnership agreement with the Maritime Snowmobile Championship Racing as a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The MOU will detail the town’s services and other financial support for the February racing event at the Connell Park Raceway.
Last February, snowmobile racing returned to Woodstock after several decades of absence, delivering a weekend event that proved a significant draw for snowmobile racing fans and a boon to the local economy.
The council hopes the MOU serves as a guide to help the town promote other tourism-focused events, such as the annual bass tournament and the Hook and Paddle fishing event.
During the Nov. 26 regular council meeting, Woodstock CAO Allan Walker shared a list of requests from the MSRC organizers to the town as it prepares for the 2025 racing event on Feb. 14 to 16.
The list included using the AYR Motor Centre’s Gallery Room, Sam’s Room and Studio 2 for race-associated events. It also requested Woodstock’s public works staff remove snow from the race track infield and surrounding parking lots, handle the placement of portable bleachers from Fredericton and nearby ballparks at the race track, and water the ice-covered track for racing.
Walker explained that the most significant request involved safety-related issues, including removing three trees near the track and lowering a wooden fence around the track.
The CAO explained that most of the MSRC requests are similar to last year, which public works and recreational staff can easily accommodate. He said the town will pay the industrial rate for flooding the track with the cost included in its calculations.
Walker estimated that the in-kind contributions to the event would total an estimated $14,000, with the tree removal constituting most of the costs.
He explained that a specialized contractor would be needed to ensure the safety of at least one of the three large trees. He added that, per its policy, the town will plant three trees at another location to replace the three lost trees.
Walker said that meeting the request for changes to the fence will require further study, noting town staff already met with the MSCR committee, the Woodstock Racing Club and Horse Racing New Brunswick to review the fence situation.
“Staff is recommending we do something there, but we just need to clarify what it is,” he said.
Mayor Trina Jones said the MOU with the snowmobile racing committee will outline how the
“We know it’s a huge economic spinoff for the whole community.,” she said.
Jones explained the ongoing discussions would include an analysis of MSRC’s request for sponsorship, which could range from $500 to $20,000.
She explained that town staff would look at various means to support and promote the event, suggesting that changes to the town’s banner policy could provide options in lieu of a cash sponsorship.
She explained that the revamped banner policy, which was also discussed at the Nov. 26 council meeting, could provide options for promotion with specialized banners.
She explained the new banner policy is looking at using banners beyond downtown Woodstock.
Jones explained that staff believed there was enough time to install promotional banners along Connell Road, leading visitors from the highway to the Connell Park Raceway.
The council ended the MSRC MOU discussion by passing a motion directing staff to create an MOU.
