ATV riders training park being built

A training park for ATV riders is being built at the Digby Municipal Airport.

The Municipality of Digby council recently approved a motion to lease a small plot that will be developed this spring as a training course by the Digby County ATV Club, with funding support from the provincial government.

Bob Powell, recreation manager with Digby Area Recreation Commission, said the training course is now needed just for 14- to 16-year-olds, following a provincial government revision of legislation for off-highway vehicle use.

Powell, who is working with the ATV club, said the province is providing $7,000 in funding, which will help with financing and some excavating.

ATV club president Wayne Boliver said initial plans are only for a training site, but there has been some interest in creating a closed riding course, so there may be future expansion.

The club has put out tenders to build a road into the site, a gate, and a small track around the perimeter. Work will have to wait, he said, until the boggy ground dries up this spring.

For training, some riders will have their own ATVs, he said, but added the province also plans to have some smaller 90cc ATVs available for young riders.