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Yorkton co-winner of the Sledtown Showdown

Yorkton. The city was named the co-winner of SnoRiders West Magazine’s SledTown Showdown competition with Houston, B.C. Problems with the online voting system meant that the competition ended in a tie for the two cities.
Sledtown Showdown

Yorkton. The city was named the co-winner of SnoRiders West Magazine’s SledTown Showdown competition with Houston, B.C. Problems with the online voting system meant that the competition ended in a tie for the two cities.

Jason Popowich, president of the Yorkton SnoRiders, says that the title is a reflection of the work the club has put into building a trail network in the region.

“It’s a credit to the good job our club members do fundraising to make sure our trails and shelters are in tip top shape.”

While the club’s work is what got the city noticed, Popowich says it’s the community support that made the title happen.

“It was really fantastic support. The whole community got involved, it was really the talk of the town. Our residents of Yorkton and surrounding area, our local tourism, our local Chamber of Commerce, our community leaders, our mayor, our local MLA Greg Ottenbreit, of course the local media. It was just fantastic how everyone got behind our club in this promotion and voted. There were over 40,000 votes cast in this competition, and we wouldn’t have gotten near as many votes if it wasn’t for the great support of Yorkton and area.”

The community will also benefit from the competition, because it’s a way to drive winter tourism into the city. A competition like this is a way to call attention to how much Yorkton has to offer, Popowich says.

“The next time someone is planning their snowmobile vacation, which many do in the winter time, from Alberta or Manitoba or B.C., they’re going to flip through the magazine and see that Yorkton was in the final.”

Popowich also gives credit to the other 16 towns from the province in the competition. While Yorkton won, he says it’s a strong province overall.

“Just to be named provincial champion was certainly very rewarding, because there are so many great destinations. That has to do with the entire trail system organized by the Saskatchewan Snow­mobile Association. If the other clubs in the province didn’t do a good job, our trails wouldn’t connect to nobody. It’s a hat’s off to the entire province.”

Popowich also extends his congratulations to Houston, B.C., the co-winner in the competition. While it ended in a tie due to technical problems, he says the sheer amount of support from both towns pushing the polling system to the limit is what did it, and he says that they also did lots of hard work in the competition, and hopes the friendly rivalry can continue.

“I hope we’re in the same position next year.”

It wasn’t the only good news for snowmobile enthusiasts in the area. More snow finally arrived, and cold weather came to freeze some of the creeks that have caused trouble in the past month.

“2016 is a great way to start off the season.”