Town of Battleford mayor Chris Odishaw is speaking out against ATV use on Finlayson Island.
"It's getting to be a little out of control," said Odishaw. "These people have gone out there and destroyed some trails, they're destroying the island."
Odishaw said several people who frequent the park have come to him with complaints and safety concerns.
According to the mayor, both the RCMP and town council have turned a blind eye to the use of quads or other recreational vehicles on the island, hoping to allow for a common sense approach. This approach is no longer working, especially given the rainy weather, which makes the ground more susceptible to being torn up. Now Odishaw, who owns ATVs himself, said a decision has to be made.
"If we're going to allow it, we should allow it for everyone - I want to go play in the mud too," he said.
Odishaw is calling for more enforcement from the RCMP.
"They have to make a point of saying that there is a fine, you can lose your quad, and there are some ramifications," he said.
RCMP Staff Sgt. Phil Wilson said he wasn't aware there was a large number of complaints, but did say he recognized ATV use as an issue.
"It's an ongoing problem, there's no question about that," he said.
Wilson said no form of ATV use on the island is permitted because of the island's unique and fragile ecosystem. However, the RCMP don't have the manpower to task someone with watching the bridge onto the island, according to Wilson, but they are taking a hard stance towards violation of the law.
"Bottom line is, if we catch them, we will prosecute," said Wilson.
Town of Battleford Councillor Bill Halewich also addressed the issue, saying it doesn't make sense for the province to allow the sale of ATVs in the province if there is no legal area to operate them except on private property. He suggested the formation of designated parks where ATVs could be used, pointing to the example of provinces like Alberta and British Columbia.
"The province has to step up and actually take responsibility for that or not allow dealers to sell them in the province," he said.
