Sled Dog Challenge May Leave La Ronge

Sled Dog Challenge May Leave La Ronge

Wednesday, May 10, 2006 at 19:35

An official with the Gateway North Sled Dog Association says any talk of La Ronge losing its part in the annual Canadian Challenge Sled Dog Race is premature.

Last week, two members of the association proposed that the race be run from Prince Albert to Nipawin, instead of La Ronge.

They argued that La Ronge does not produce enough sponsorship revenue, the trails are too costly to groom, the highway route is not challenging enough, checkpoints have not been consistent, and it is not a true distance race.

But board president Dave Young says most of the association’s board does not share those views.

Young says the board is obligated to consider the move, and that’s why they’ve asked for a formal bid from those supporting Nipawin as a destination.

La Ronge supporters have been asked to come up with a package of their own to counter the Nipawin proposal.