North Bay Nordic Ski Club sees membership rise in wake of COVID-19 pandemic
The cross-country ski season is in full swing in North Bay.
The city's Nordic Ski Club has been open for a few weeks and membership has been on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before the pandemic hit, around 700 skiers were registered to take to the trails. Now there are over 900 people who will be out throughout the season.
"Last year we saw close to 1,000 people," said club president Andrew Rees. "Where we do see a lot more interest is in day uses. People want to come out for the day and want to try it out."
Last season, the club could not operate the trail for day use or rent out equipment due to health concerns.
"I'm excited. I haven't been skiing since last year because of COVID. It was a long time," explained Klarissa Srigaley.
Srigaley is one of 30 young racers that make up the North Bay Nordic Junior Racing Team that we're practicing Sunday afternoon. The team is anticipating and hoping for competitions later this season.
"We practice on the things we're not as good on and we can get better and better each time," said skier Felix Dubytz.
It will all depend on the pandemic situation if the team can compete. Under normal circumstances, the team would represent the club in Ontario and Quebec competitions.
"We had a race in early December in the north of Temiskaming shores. It went well," said skier Chris Butterworth. "I'd like to work on my technique I think."
The club opened for the season a bit later than it hoped for due to the late arrival of winter.
"We had a false start and a couple of melts but we've been skiing around mid-December and conditions have really improved in the last week or two," said Rees.
Under current health and safety regulations, the club can still run most of its programs like its well-known ‘Jackrabbit Program' for young skiers just starting.
"It doesn't matter what their skill level is, they get placed in different groups so they can instruction every week on Sundays," explained Rees.
Rees said he's optimistic the season will be one of the best in recent years for the club if the cold, winter weather lingers and they can avoid being shut down by the pandemic.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Gunman kills at least 19 children at Texas elementary school
An 18-year-old gunman opened fire Tuesday at a Texas elementary school, killing at least 19 children as he went from classroom to classroom, officials said, in the latest gruesome moment for a country scarred by a string of massacres. The attacker was killed by law enforcement.
Biden makes urgent call for new firearms restrictions after Texas school shooting
Lamenting a uniquely American tragedy, an anguished and angry U.S. President Joe Biden delivered an urgent call for new restrictions on firearms Tuesday night after a gunman shot and killed 19 children at a Texas elementary school.
Language law Bill 96 adopted, promising sweeping changes for Quebec
Bill 96, the provincial government's controversial legislation aimed at protecting the French language in Quebec, has been adopted in the National Assembly.
U.S. senator begs for gun compromise after Texas shooting
Connecticut U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, who came to Congress representing Sandy Hook, begged his colleagues to finally pass legislation addressing the nation's gun violence problem as the latest school shooting unfolded Tuesday in Uvalde, Texas.
Society 'may not survive' Putin's war, says billionaire George Soros
Russia's invasion of Ukraine may have marked the start of "a third world war," and Russian President Vladimir Putin must be defeated "as soon as possible" if the world wants to preserve civilization, said billionaire and philanthropist George Soros.
Hedley frontman Jacob Hoggard denies rape allegations at sex assault trial
Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard has emphatically denied raping a teenager and a young woman nearly six years ago, testifying Tuesday that both encounters were consensual and "passionate."
Many Ontario residents could be waiting several days for power after storm
Provincial provider Hydro One said Tuesday afternoon that more than 142,000 customers in parts of Ontario were still without power after a devastating weekend storm.
RCMP suspend flights at Victoria International Airport after suspicious package discovered
Travellers who have a flight planned at Victoria International Airport (YYJ) on Tuesday afternoon are being warned of travel disruptions due to police activity.
Canada sending more artillery to Ukraine, 'crucial' to fight against Russia: Anand
Canada is sending an additional 20,000 rounds of ammunition to Ukraine for the Ukrainian military to use in its ongoing defence against the Russians. This ammunition—155mm calibre, as well as fuses and charge bags—is being donated, but comes at a cost of $98 million, according to the federal government.
Barrie
-
Barrie police investigate threats at high school that prompt lockdown
Barrie police are investigating after two threats resulted in Eastview Secondary School being locked down Tuesday morning.
-
Simcoe County woman charged in charity fraud investigation
A Tiny Township woman faces charges in connection to a charity fraud investigation.
-
EF2 tornado confirmed to have hit Uxbridge community
A state of emergency is in effect in Uxbridge four days after a powerful weekend storm wreaked havoc, downing power lines, destroying property and ripping trees from the ground.
Toronto
-
Toronto radio personality 'on hiatus' after human rights complaint filed by former co-host
Toronto radio host John Derringer was absent from Q107's 'Derringer in the Morning' Tuesday after former colleague Jennifer Valentyne posted a lengthy video on social media over the weekend alleging harassment and gender discrimination within the workplace.
-
Doug Ford widens lead in final stretch of Ontario election campaign, poll suggests
Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservative party have widened their lead ahead of next week's Ontario election, a new survey suggests.
-
Environment Canada confirms EF2 tornado was part of deadly Ontario storm
Environment Canada has confirmed that an EF2 tornado touched down in Uxbridge on Saturday as a powerful weather system made its way through Ontario, tearing apart homes and knocking out power to thousands of people.
Ottawa
-
Another 2 to 3 days to reconnect Ottawa, but progress being made: Hydro Ottawa
City officials in Ottawa say it could be another two to three days to restore power, but Hydro Ottawa is assuring the community that progress is being made.
-
Ottawa schools with power to reopen Wednesday
Ottawa schools that have power will be open Wednesday, but many schools remain closed.
-
Hunt for gas forcing many to drive across Ottawa to fill up cars, generators
City officials say gas supply issues and long lineups at the pumps should be resolved as soon as hydro is restored.
Kitchener
-
Storm cleanup continues in Waterloo region
Power has now been fully restored in Waterloo region, but cleanup efforts will continue for a few days.
-
Ticket-holders feel 'conned' after race rescheduled to venue 150 km away on different date
Some local fitness enthusiasts are looking for their money back after purchasing tickets to a popular extreme obstacle course event.
-
Apple trees planted at former residential school in Brantford, Ont.
A fruit once forbidden to children at the former Mohawk Institute residential school in Brantford, Ont. will grow on the grounds once again.
London
-
Mayor Holder says 'health impacts' influenced decision to not seek re-election
London, Ont. Mayor Ed Holder will be retiring from politics at the end of the current term of council.
-
Good Samaritan returns wallet containing $5,000 to rightful owner
If you need a feel-good story for your Tuesday evening, the Saugeen Shores Police Service might have just the one.
-
'It’s been an exhausting three days': London neighbourhoods clean up storm aftermath
As of Tuesday, power has been restored to most London Hydro customers. While some residents in areas including London’s Old East Village endured severe damage during the storm, some people are still without electricity.
Windsor
-
Windsor crews providing assistance in storm-ravaged Ontario regions
A crew of workers from ENWIN Utilities is heading to central Ontario Tuesday evening to assist with power restoration efforts after a weekend storm knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of people.
-
University of Windsor Lancers head out on the road to help others win
Mason Kohn and the Windsor Lancers are heading to Merritt, B.C. at the end of the summer to help build five homes for people in the First Nations communities in Nicola Valley displaced by wildfires and floods last year.
-
Gunman kills at least 19 children at Texas elementary school
An 18-year-old gunman opened fire Tuesday at a Texas elementary school, killing at least 19 children as he went from classroom to classroom, officials said, in the latest gruesome moment for a country scarred by a string of massacres. The attacker was killed by law enforcement.
Montreal
-
Language law Bill 96 adopted, promising sweeping changes for Quebec
Bill 96, the provincial government's controversial legislation aimed at protecting the French language in Quebec, has been adopted in the National Assembly.
-
Canada shipping vaccines to Quebec as province confirms 15 monkeypox cases
The federal government is sending vaccines and other 'therapeutics' to Quebec to deal with a recent outbreak of monkeypox that has grown to 15 confirmed cases.
-
Violent Tuesday: Montreal police respond to 3 stabbings, 1 shooting
A man in his 40s is fighting for his life and a 14-year-old boy is suffering stab wounds in multiple, unrelated stabbings that kept Montreal police officers busy on a remarkably violent Tuesday.
Atlantic
-
Mass shooting inquiry: Two senior Mounties exempted from cross-examination
Two lawyers are criticizing a decision Tuesday to allow senior RCMP witnesses to avoid cross-examination before the inquiry investigating the 2020 mass shooting in Nova Scotia.
-
Mapping program Mounties struggled to open could have helped contain N.S. mass killer
A report looking into a mapping program the RCMP had access to -- but couldn't open -- during the 2020 mass shooting in Nova Scotia concludes it could have helped contain the killer's rampage.
-
Active 2022 Atlantic hurricane season expected, with up to 21 named storms
The Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to Nov. 30, is expected to be a busy one. Experts from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration out of the United States, along with those from the Canadian Hurricane Centre, released predictions for the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane season Tuesday.
Winnipeg
-
Gunman kills at least 19 children at Texas elementary school
An 18-year-old gunman opened fire Tuesday at a Texas elementary school, killing at least 19 children as he went from classroom to classroom, officials said, in the latest gruesome moment for a country scarred by a string of massacres. The attacker was killed by law enforcement.
-
Winnipeg police charge man following four-hour standoff that involved children
Winnipeg police have arrested and charged a 38-year-old man after investigators say he barricaded himself in a room with several kids while armed with a knife during a domestic dispute.
-
'There's devastation out here': Whiteshell cottagers, residents struggle to battle rising waters
Evacuation orders are now in effect for northern parts of Whiteshell Provincial Park as flooding impacts hundreds of properties.
Calgary
-
Banff businesses struggle with staffing shortages as tourists return
Walk Banff Avenue and store after store has signs looking for help.
-
Calgary Flames look to even things up against the Oilers
Connor McDavid has been on a mission against the Calgary Flames.
-
'It was just really fast': Dog bite leaves Claresholm, Alta. girl with 16 stitches in her face
An 11-year-old girl from Claresholm, Alta. is recovering after being attacked by a dog last Thursday.
Edmonton
-
Gunman kills at least 19 children at Texas elementary school
An 18-year-old gunman opened fire Tuesday at a Texas elementary school, killing at least 19 children as he went from classroom to classroom, officials said, in the latest gruesome moment for a country scarred by a string of massacres. The attacker was killed by law enforcement.
-
Defence says man had no choice but to shoot hunters in Alberta roadside confrontation
A lawyer representing an Alberta man accused of killing two Métis hunters says his client had no choice but to shoot the men to protect himself, his father and younger brother.
-
'I was crying': Families of Chinatown victims challenge Edmonton council to make area safer
Tears were shed inside Edmonton City Hall Tuesday as family and friends of two men killed in Chinatown pleaded with councillors for help to make their community safer.
Vancouver
-
Suspicious package shuts down Victoria airport
The discovery of a suspicious package forced the shutdown of Victoria International Airport on Tuesday, stranding hundreds of travellers and preventing a number of planes from landing on schedule.
-
B.C. couple says cancer treatment costing over $1200 a month, calling for more support
A Coquitlam couple says they’ve been paying over a $1,000 a month for a cancer treatment, even though the drug that’s not being fully covered is already approved and funded in B.C.
-
Time is money: B.C. doctors' group proposes 'overnight' fix for primary care crisis
A new advocacy group of B.C. family doctors is coming forward to say the primary care crisis in the province isn’t the result of too few physicians, but a matter of priorities and compensation that could be solved virtually overnight.