Valley Fishing Boat Show is set for Beckwith Township Feb. 6-7
Posted Jan 28, 2010 By Jeff Maguire
Email
Print
Tweet ThisEMC Sports - Residents of Ottawa, Lanark and Renfrew counties, who attend a first-time event next weekend, will have an opportunity to take their minds off the cold and snow of winter and dream instead of sunny, warm, lazy days on Eastern Ontario lakes and rivers this spring and summer.
The new Beckwith Recreational Complex, located in rural Beckwith Township south of Carleton Place, is the site for the 'Valley Fishing Boat Show' on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 6 and 7.
Although the venture is aimed at those who use boats to fish in area waterways, the chief organizer says anyone who is interested in purchasing one of the new generation of small craft currently on the market will want to attend.
"This is not a fishing show, it is a fishing boat show," stresses Dave Arbour of Valley Outdoors Promotions who also organizes and runs the highly successful spring Valley Fishing and Outdoor Show in Carp and the fall Valley Gun and Hunting Show in the same Ottawa community.
"We're not talking about 24 footers (boats) here. They will all be smaller craft," says Arbour who is confident the timing and the location are right for the inaugural venture.
"Obviously I am hoping it will be a success. It's been a lot of work to put together but I think people will enjoy it.
"If it is as successful as I think it will be, we may look at expanding it in future."
Arbour and his business partner will also be on hand throughout the weekend to offer boating exams which allow motorized watercraft operators to try for their licence. A valid operator's licence is now a strict requirement under Ontario law!
The complex itself is located in Beckwith Park, a growing recreation facility at 1319 Ninth Line Road (9th Concession of Beckwith Township) between Ashton Village and Blacks Corners. It's approximately four kilometres (km) west of Ashton and two km east of Blacks Corners. The hamlet of Blacks Corners is on Highway 15, two km south of Carleton Place.
The recreation complex houses an arena as well as a large indoor soccer field. The show will be staged on the artificial surface of the soccer pitch.
A number of eastern Ontario marinas will be represented at the two-day event which will feature displays of boats and motors, fishing kayaks and canoes as well as personal watercraft, docks, equipment and much more.
Among the firms committed to the event are Paddle Shack, an Ottawa business which specializes in canoes and kayaks, Pirate's Cove Marina from Kemptville, Sportland Marine of Arnprior, Kelsey's Marine of Athens (north of Brockville) along with nearby businesses including John's Marina on Mississippi Lake near Tennyson, in Beckwith Township and Carleton Place Marine located on Highway 15 at Blacks Corners.
"The marinas will all have boats and related materials on hand for people to see and learn about first-hand," Arbour notes.
"This is a look ahead to spring and summer 2010."
Order early
He adds that in order to have a boat delivered in time for the coming season it is necessary to "order it as early as possible.
"This definitely isn't too early.
"Having so much under one roof will give people a chance to see what is available on the market."
Among the watercraft which will be on display are aluminum boats with 15-20 horsepower motors, Honda motors and generators and almost every make of fishing boat, motors and related equipment available today.
"We will even have an upholstery guy there who will help you re-do (refurbish) the boat you have right now," Arbour explains.
As for the watercraft exam, which will be offered by D&M Boating Courses (operated by Arbour - he's the D - and Marian Dopson), the organizer underlines that obtaining a licence is not an option!
"This is now a requirement," he stresses, saying the legislation dates from last September and relates to all motorized watercraft. "People have to write the (provincially-mandated) test."
The course is designed to give applicants enough information to pass the test.
"Anyone operating a powerboat or sea-doo (personal water craft), including kids, have to have a licence."
Arbour says anyone caught on Ontario's lakes or rivers this year without a valid operator's licence faces "a substantial fine.
"I expect that because this is the first year (for the legislation) the enforcement will be heavy."
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and municipal police patrol waterways across the province every spring and summer, enforcing a variety of laws related to watercraft.
"If you pay for the course but don't get your licence the second (test) is free," he adds.
Arbour says the Beckwith show on Feb. 6 and 7 is a prelude to the spring Valley Fishing and Outdoor Show at Carp which this year is scheduled to run April 9, 10 and 11 (Friday through Sunday) at the Carp Fairgrounds.
"It is much bigger now. We've expanded to three buildings. It is huge," the organizer enthuses.
"The Valley Gun and Hunting Show last fall (also at Carp Fairgrounds) was a huge success. It will be on again this year too."
The Gun and Hunting Show is scheduled for Labour Day weekend, Sunday Sept. 5 and Monday Sept. 6.
Watch for advertising and news stories about both of those events in future editions of the EMC!
The 2009 shows in Carp attracted more than 12,000 people.
As for the upcoming Valley Fishing Boat Show, Arbour feels the location is a good one because it is central to so many Ottawa Valley communities. He says the Beckwith Township site is easily accessible for people from Ottawa, Lanark and Renfrew counties as well as the nearby Seaway Valley, including Brockville, Gananoque and Kingston.
"We're not far from anywhere really. It's on for two days so people can pick the best day for them and come out."
He promises it will be "well signed" for people traveling from Ottawa on Highway 7 or Flewellyn Road, for those coming south on County Road 29 from Renfrew County or north Lanark as well as people driving north from Smiths Falls, Brockville, Kingston and Gananoque, or west from Perth and points beyond.
For anyone driving from Ottawa the easiest route is to take Highway 417 west to Highway 7 and then proceed to Carleton Place. At the intersection of Hwys 7 and 15 turn left and proceed south two km to Blacks Corners. At the traffic lights (second set of lights from Carleton Place) turn left and drive two more kilometres to 1319 Ninth Line Road. Beckwith Park will be on your right, with the recreation complex visible at the back.
From Brockville, Kingston or Gananoque journey to Smiths Falls and then take Hwy. 15 north towards Carleton Place. At Blacks Corners (traffic lights) turn right, proceed two km and the recreation park and indoor complex will be on your right. For those traveling from Perth or beyond, take Hwy. 7 east to Carleton Place. At the main junction (Hwys 7 and 15) turn right and proceed to Blacks Corners (second set of traffic lights). Turn left and drive two km to Beckwith Park and you will see the recreation complex on your right. There is plenty of free parking and food and refreshments will be available inside the recreation complex all weekend. Saturday (Feb. 6) the show will run from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The hours of operation on Sunday (Feb. 7) are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Admission is just $5 per person with children 12 and under admitted free if accompanied by an adult.
For additional information on the Valley Fishing Boat Show telephone Arbour at 613-257-7489 or visit the website www.valleysportsmanshow.com
blog comments powered by Disqus
