New snowmobile fueling station, 343 km in new trails planned

Snowmobilers will have a new fueling station in northwestern New Brunswick and 343 kilometres of new trails openbefore the next season starts.

The federal and provincial government announced on Tuesday that $1.4 million would be spent on a new centralized grooming hub at Mount Carleton Provincial Park.

The centralized grooming hub will allow fora fueling station for snowmobilersand it wouldopen up 343 kilometres of new trails in the area.

Tourism Minister Bill Fraser said the new grooming hub will also extend the snowmobiling season in northern New Brunswick by several weeks.

"This strategic infrastructure will grow our tourism sector and advance the sport of snowmobiling in northern New Brunswick,"Fraser said in a statement.

Construction will take place this summerand will be completed before December.

The provincial government is investing $710,000 in the project. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is investing $723,708.

Meanwhile, the Town of Saint-Quentin is adding $265,000 and the New Brunswick Federation of Snowmobile Clubs is chipping in $75,000.

Snowmobiling adds $25 million annually to the provincial economy, according to the tourism minister.

"In northern New Brunswick, winter is the primary tourism season and snowmobiling is a key drawing card for visitors and tourism operators," Fraser said in a statement.

"We want to capitalize on winter's white gold to generate revenue and growth and move our province forward."