December 17, 2009 (Morin-Heights, QC) – Viking Ski Club revealed its new Centaur trail-grooming machine at a ceremony December 2 at its clubhouse on Jackson Road. The machine, which was purchased thanks to a grant from the MRC des Pays-d’en-Haut and donations from Viking members, will enable the club to better maintain its trail system.

Attending the ceremony were representatives from the MRC des Pays en Haut, the municipalities of Wentworth-Nord and Morin-Heights, and Viking Ski Club. Martin Belair (geometrics coordinator) represented the MRC while the delegation from Wentworth Nord included: Mayor André Genest, Rene Tousignant (general manager) and Roger Ponce (manager, Montfort Pavilion). Morin-Heights was represented both by Leigh MacLeod (councillor) and by Maryse Emond (Director of Recreation & Culture).

Viking President Doug Bowes Lyon gave a brief speech talking about the importance of such a machine in maintaining the club’s 50-km of groomed trails and adjacent trails near Lac Notre Dame. “Our two old Bombardier Alpine snowmobiles were no longer up to the job. After 12 years of hard use they were well past their useful service life. The Centaur has a proven track record and we’re sure it will let us pack, contour and track-set our trails much more efficiently.” He added that financial support from the MRC des Pays-d’en-Haut (Fonds de la Ruralité) was essential for the acquisition of this machine. Board member Richard L’Heureux repeated this message in French, adding that clubs need to work with local governments to protect ski trails.

Bowes-Lyon and Genest then pulled a blue tarp off to unveil the bright red, eight-wheeled, diesel-powered Centaur 954DT. The Centaur cost some $65,000 including a four-way plow and Yellowstone groomer and track setter. The MRC put in an initial $14,500 and Viking fundraised for the difference. Bowes-Lyon then delighted in taking people out up the trails for a demonstration of the Centaur’s capabilities.

While the clubhouse and parking lots are reserved for club members, the general public can access Viking trails either through the guest pass program (contribution of $10/day) or via a reciprocal access arrangement with cross-country ski centres in either Morin-Heights or St. Adolphe d’Howard.

Viking Ski Club, in addition to its clubhouse and trails, operates youth programs, Saturday adult tours and more. And the club also co-sponsors a ski race (loppet) with Morin-Heights each February. It is still possible to join Viking and more information can be found at www.vikingskiclub.ca.