WHITEWATER REGION (Cobden) — Registration opened on Monday for the fourth annual Tour de Whitewater. Three enthusiastic members of the planning committee gave a presentation to the Council of the Township of Whitewater Region on February 5 to outline plans for the upcoming cycling event.
A member of the planning team, Bob Grylls, noted the event has been moved to the second weekend in July and will now be held on Saturday, July 11. “To hold such a large event three days after Canada Day would be far too much for our community volunteers to handle,” said Mr. Grylls.
The registration fee continues to be $50 and will increase to $60 after May 31. The fee includes a performance tech shirt, free lunch, a free beer and live entertainment. Free incentives will be offered again this year, with the first being for free registration. This means from the names of all those who register from February 10 to February 29, one name will be drawn and their registration fee returned.
Chair of the planning team, Cathy Williamson, gave details on last year’s event. She said there were approximately 450 riders in total, with 84 coming from Whitewater Region. Another 84 riders came from Ottawa, Ont. and the remaining participants came from neighbouring towns and municipalities.
“Our focus is on newness,” said Ms. Williamson. “We will have a new focus on family involvement, encouraging parents to ride with their children at a special, reduced rate.” She noted other changes like new routes to avoid a stale route for riders, a new menu, the event will not combine with a brewfest and live music will be included. “And we will be reaching out to cycle groups across the province and the Pontiac to make this event part of a weekend experience in Renfrew County.”
Ms. Williamson said new, larger signs which say, “Caution: cycling event in progress,” will be created to be placed strategically throughout Whitewater Region. To remind riders to stay to the right and not take up the entire lane, she said they are seeking a greater police presence and more volunteer patrols. They are also seeking assistance from more paramedics, as last year there were two incidents which could have been very serious if there were not medical doctors involved in the event.
“We couldn’t get in touch with our patrols who were out there to give assistance to broken down bikes or riders,” said Ms. Williamson when speaking about cell phone coverage in the area and the safety implications. “We encourage you to use our tourist experience as a part of your data in lobbying government.”
Now a member of the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association (OVTA), the planning committee is hoping to make Tour de Whitewater part of a weekend experience of Renfrew County. A special invite letter will be written and sent out to cycle groups, which will encourage them to eat at Whitewater Brewery, Rafters Restaurant or the OWL Rafting dinner cruise. Groups will also be encouraged to ride the Algonquin Trail and kayak on the Ottawa River.
The overall goal of this fundraising initiative is to install an active living rest centre in Westmeath, a double shelter with picnic tables and, “… to install the first public washroom facility in the village of Westmeath,” said Ms. Williamson.
The project manager, Abby Bertrand, grew up in Lapasse and just recently moved back to the area after living in Ottawa, Ont. for work. He provided an update on the rest station and an alternative location must be secured, as the new septic system for the Westmeath Recreation Centre requires all of the space between it and the Westmeath Fire Hall. Even though the quotes are too expensive, Mr. Bertrand passionately said brick and mortar will be used, if necessary.
After the presentation, the Development and Planning Committee met to discuss a land transfer in Westmeath. Chaired by Councillor Charlene Jackson, it was recommended the necessary steps be taken to receive donated land for park purposes and to have the park commemoratively named as the “Boyer dit Laderoute Park.” Dr. Marian Laderoute reached out to the Township relating to the possibility of donating a parcel located on the north-east side of the intersection of Gore Line and Rapid Rd. The total area is 930 square metres; 21 metres along Rapid Rd. and 28 metres along Gore Line.
Members of Township staff met with Tour de Whitewater officials on Monday, February 10 to have an informal discussion. “The chat was very informal and just an update on the Tour de Whitewater and their broader plans for a rest station,” said Robert Tremblay, Chief Administrative Officer, in an email to Whitewater News. “Nothing specific to programming of the parkette, which will need to occur at a later date with the community.”
