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Family making memories on the trails

Patrick Dzijacky has been a driving force behind making Timmins streets more friendly for snowmobiles

Timmins is becoming a snowmobile-tourism town — and Patrick Dzijacky is among the people to thank for that.

Now entering his third year as president of the Timmins Snowmobile Club, he’s been involved in several initiatives to promote the winter recreational activity, including a plan to make more roads accessible to snowmobilers. 

After numerous meetings and discussions, with city officials and Timmins Police, the city was able to roll out the Accessible Streets Plan safely in 2020 and it’s now allowing snowmobilers to move along some streets, so they can more conveniently access restaurants and shops that stand to benefit from the tourism dollars that snowmobiling culture provides. 

“Many riders plan long trips, some up to two weeks long, leaving their vehicles in one community and only returning to them at the end of their trip,” said Dzijacky in an email interview with TimminsToday. “For this reason, having a community that welcomes snowmobiles on city streets is a great attraction for out-of-town riders.”

SEE: Timmins is officially more snowmobile friendly

If those visitors want to learn a thing or two about the trails around Timmins, Dzijacky is the person to ask, as snowmobiling is deeply entrenched into his life. Originally from Geraldton, he started snowmobiling at age seven. He got involved in the Kenogamisis Sno Club there as a volunteer and then as a driver training instructor. 

He moved to Timmins in 2008 and joined the Timmins Snowmobile Club. He served the club as trail co-ordinator and driver training instructor, among other roles, before becoming president. 

The club maintains about 450 kilometres worth of trails in what’s known as District 14 of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC). The club usually has a membership of about 1,100 people.

“With the support of local businesses, we attract many riders to the area each season from across the province, outside of the province and the U.S.,” Dzijacky says. 

With the Accessible Streets Plan well underway, the club is now pivoting to new projects. Dzijacky says the club hopes to build a new clubhouse and a garage to store trail-grooming equipment. He says the club is also developing a number of tourism initiatives, safety initiatives and trail improvement projects.  

The club’s progress will allow more people to enjoy snowmobiling the way Dzijacky and his family do. He and his wife, Katelin, were both driver trainers for a number of years. Their kids, eight-year-old Greyson and 10-year-old Piper, are volunteers already, as they help with brushing trails and installing signs along trails that help riders stay safe.

As a family, they love driving Snoscoots on their yard and going on Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Club family rides. One of their favourite routes is the small loop that circles around South Porcupine and Porcupine. It’s not too long and there’s a convenient Tim Hortons stop on the way, Dzijacky says. He finds it rewarding to share his love for snowmobiling with his whole family, and his whole community.  

“We have long winters and this is one way that we can get outside and enjoy them. Seeing the many local and out-of-town riders enjoying our trails each season is very rewarding. 

“Growing up many memories were made on snowmobiles with my parents, sister, uncles, aunts, cousins and friends. With my wife and kids, we are now able to make our own memories on snowmobiles.”

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The Dzijacki family receives their award for the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs Family of the Year for District 14. . Supplied photo

Another great memory for the family was made last September when the Dzijacky family was bestowed as the OFSC Family of Year for District 14 for the 2021-2022 year; an award that recognizes the contributions all four have made to the snowmobiling community. 

The award was handed out at the OFSC Annual General Meeting and Greyson and Piper were excited to get on stage to receive plaques and trophies.  

“To be recognized for our volunteer contributions means a lot,” the proud dad says. “It adds to the many great memories we have been able to make with organized snowmobiling.”

The family also feels fortunate to be in Timmins, a town with long winters and heavy snow, just meant for those who love Canadian winters.

“Timmins is situated in a great location with ideal conditions for snowmobiling,” Dzijacky says. “It has many services to offer riders and provides connections to many other great communities and districts. 

“We have a long winter and have a great group of volunteers that have years of experience grooming and maintaining trails. We also have many great sponsors; they have gone above and beyond to support our club in many ways and are always there to provide their services.”

“Snowmobiling is a great way to get outdoors with friends and family. It’s an activity that anyone can enjoy and is great for the local economy during the winter months.”