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Berkey weekend drew thousands; committee hears trail closures, snowmobile and ATV guidance
Summary
Committee members heard that Berkey weekend drew an estimated 13,000 racers and 25,000 spectators and that University of Wisconsin estimates the event brings $5 million for the weekend and $30 million annually to Hayward; staff also reported seasonal trail closures and limits on ATV/UTV use on some forest lands.
Liz read a report from Mindy Simons of the Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau highlighting successful winter events in February, including Berkey weekend and a Mad Dog and Merrill broadcast recorded in Hayward.
Liz said Simons reported strong spectator turnout for Berkey weekend and noted the CVB sponsored a Mad Dog and Merrill’s Midwest Grillin’ episode recorded in downtown Hayward; the episode is scheduled to air Sunday, March 9, on the CW Duluth affiliate, channel 3.1. “For a short month, February packed in a lot…Berkey weekend was a success and certainly wonderful to have the race finishing in downtown Hayward again,” the report read.
Tom Duffy, reporting separately on the event, said organizers estimated about 13,000 racers and 25,000 spectators over the weekend and that University of Wisconsin impact estimates put Berkey’s economic impact at $5 million for the weekend and $30 million annually to Hayward. “We had 13,000 racers, an estimate of 25,000 spectators…University of Wisconsin on their economic impact to the Berkey has estimated that, there is $5,000,000 on the weekend and 30,000,000 annually,” Duffy said.
The committee also received a trail update derived from a report by Kathy Litterum. The report said snowmobile trails were usable for approximately one month this season and that grooming by the Alliance stopped a few weeks earlier; clubs removed lake markers. Spring thaw trail closures were approaching: County Forest land closes April 1 through May 15; the Chequamegon Forest closes March 15 to May 1; and the Columbia River State Forest closes to ATV/UTV use from November 15 to May 15. Flambeau generally follows County Forest guidance. The Descopia Trail and 9 Mile Loop remain open during spring thaw closures, Kathy’s report said. The report also noted that ATV road routes remain open, and that ATV use is allowed on trails not subject to specific closures.
Committee members were advised that restrictions can change with weather and that several trails were in poor riding condition at the time of the report. There was no formal action taken on the trail updates.
