Snowmobilers and others that like to traverse the north trails of the North Mountain Riders in the Porcupine Hills will soon have a brand new warm-up shack on one of the best look-out spots of that entire trail system.
A project that has taken two years to gain approval from relevant parties, such as Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation, Manitoba Conservation and Manitoba Historical Society, the North Mountain Riders have successfully fundraised for and are well on their way to building a warm-up shack at the Bellsite Look-out, only four miles from Hwy. No. 10 on their trail system, not far from the community of Bellsite.
“From there, you can see the community of Bellsite, all the farmland, all the way to Swan Lake and Lake Winnipegosis,” said North Mountain Riders President Bert Sutherland.
“This is an important shelter to have because it is in a pocket where we didn’t have anything else closeby for people to enjoy themselves. The next shack was at Olsen Lake and from Olsen Lake to Mafeking is an hour and 20 minutes. Now we have this gem in the middle of nowhere.”
The Bellsite Look-out shelter ended up costing the club only $66,000 in donations, sponsorships and grants to put it together, plus lots of donated materials. Labour to put it all together has been completely free and likely could have cost close to $90,000 if someone got paid to build it.
“I’ve probably put 80+ hours into it myself and I’m just one man,” said Sutherland.
Lots of the materials were hauled up prior to the spring melt, leaving the builders to get to work come spring time. As of the end of June, the exterior structure was done, with the next steps to be putting on the roofing material and weather wrapping the outside walls. Well on their way, the club’s plan is to have it weather sealed by fall and finished well before snowmobile season comes around.
And, this is not just some thrown-together shelter. In addition to the standard features of the warm-up shelter such as a wood stove, gas barbecue, AM/FM radio and a few places to sit down, the interior will be finished with tongue-and-groove pine boards, LED lights powered by solar panels, 110-volt electrical system that can be powered by a generator, fire pit and seating outside, and enough space to seat 30 people inside, roughly 480 square feet of room inside and another 480 square feet between the two attached decks.
“This will be our biggest shelter,” said Sutherland. “Our next biggest is our Whitefish Shack at 320 square feet.”
With the layout of the windows and doors on the front of the shelter, it will feel like it’s almost entirely glass, letting lots of light in.
“This has been something we’ve been wanting to do for a long time,” Sutherland added. “I know the community of Bellsite has a lot of interest in it. They’ve shown really good support. We’ve helped them with their poker derby before and this will bring a little more attention to their little town.”
While the project is coming along well, Sutherland also noted that more hands are always needed to do everything that needs to be done on the work. Even if you aren’t a carpenter, helping keep the place tidy or doing other tasks is appreciated.
“We can use all the help we can get,” he said. “We need bodies with gloves.”
If interested in volunteering for the project, contact Bert Sutherland at 204·734·0184.
Once the project is complete, the North Mountain Riders will plan a grand opening with any community members welcome to join, with a plan to provide a shuttle to the top of the hill for those that don’t have their own snowmobile. Keep an eye out in the late fall for an announcement for that.