Big news: on February 8, 2018, the Voyageur Multi-Use Trail System voted unanimously to join and become a member club of the Ontario Federation of All-Terrain Vehicles! This is exciting news for ATVers across the province.
OFATV members will now be able to take advantage of visiting Mattawa and touring their beautiful trails and scenery with their OFATV permit without the need for a separate permit for the area! For readers/riders outside of Ontario (this includes you, American riders) or those just getting started—permits currently cost $150 per year, $50 for a three-day pass, or $20 for a single day of riding. Local VMUTS members will also now find more value in their permit. It allows them to take advantage of all 16 OFATV clubs trail systems and can expand their ATVing adventures to Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick with their OFATV permit!
VMUTS and the Mattawa area should see an increase in tourism from OFATV members taking advantage of this change, as well as visitors from other provinces that have reciprocation agreements with the OFATV. More motorsports enthusiasts headed to the area is good for everyone—there are more connections to be made, more businesses catering to motorheads, and Mattawa becoming even more of a rider’s paradise.
The OFATV has a great history in the Mattawa area. It was founded right there in 1999 by then-president of the association, Phil Bangs. The original office was located in Bangs’ family business, a mechanic shop called the Bangs Brothers Garage, from 1999 to 2002.
VMUTS coming on board with the OFATV will be a great value to VMUTS and OFATV members across the province and beyond, as we work together to further the sport of ATVing in Ontario. This change was made possible with the assistance of the Ontario Trails Council, an organization always working hard to further trail development around the Province of Ontario.
I myself have a history in Mattawa and the Voyageur Multi-Use Trail System. The Viking-style horned helmet I wear that many ATVers recognize me by was first christened in 2009 at a VMUTS Rally in none other than Mattawa, Ontario.
It was fresh out of the box then and has seen many miles of ATV trails across Ontario in the years since, but I never forget that it all started in Mattawa. I am looking forward to the horned helmet seeing many more miles of travel in beautiful Mattawa, Ontario with the Voyageur Multi-Use Trail system—hopefully with even more ATV-riders to meet there!
The partnership is fresh off the presses and VMUTS is currently working on relaunching their webpage and transitioning to the OFATV. In the interim, as things are being set up, an OFATV permit for the VMUTS can be purchased here.
