One big misunderstanding means that segways will not be zipping along the Lake Windermere Whiteway, as had previously been reported in the Pioneer (December 6th).
At Invermere’s council meeting on Tuesday, November 27th, Patrick Tolchard of Valley Zipline Adventures told council that representatives from the Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club, which maintains the Whiteway, supported having his business offer segway tours on the skating track.
While Mr. Tolchard thought the representatives who supported the mission were speaking on behalf of the ski club, they were past members of the executive team and not part of the current executive.
Darren Tamelin, president of the ski club, said the current board has “concerns with running what we would consider motorized equipment on the Whiteway when it’s designated as a non-motorized (area).”
Safety, maintenance issues and insurance coverage were also concerns for the ski club.
Mr. Tamelin said he “didn’t want there to be any conflict” between the battery-powered segways and the body-powered skiers, skaters and runners who use the Whiteway.
“Unfortunately it’s fallen through,” Mr. Tolchard said, adding Valley Zipline Adventures is not sure how to proceed with segway tours now.
“We’re not doing it on the Whiteway and if anybody is interested in doing it, we’re more than happy to work with them,” he said. “There’s a great opportunity here and we’re doing everything we can. And if anyone wants to help, I’m all ears.”
Mr. Tolchard said major cities and provincial parks are offering segway tours and that bringing tours here would be a progressive opportunity for the Valley.
“Best case scenario would be keeping (the segways) in the Valley, attracting people to the Valley,” he said.
