Don Smith, the leader of the pack of a group of motorcyclists trying to strike a deal with local politicians, made the trip from Ottawa Monday. He's hoping that next summer, thousands of his friends will join him.
Smith, Chairman of Bikers Battling Cancer, Inc., a federally incorporated non-profit organization, addressed North Bay City Council Monday about the possibility of holding an event entitled Wheels of Hope in the city, to take place over the Canada Day long weekend.
Said Smith, "What I am presenting today is an opportunity. An opportunity that has many branches of good attached to it. Good for the communities and businesses here in North Bay. Good for the area cancer programs and those that they help and support, and most importantly, good for those affected by cancer right here in North Bay."
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The proposed event would take place June 30-July 2, 2017, and would serve as a fundraising venture for local cancer programs. Plans call for the rally to be held in Thomson Park, with Memorial Gardens playing a role as well.
Smith dubbed the gathering as "a family-friendly event with various activities, live entertainment, and a motorcycle ride on Canada Day."
Motorcycle dealerships, vendors, and agents for motorcycle safety and awareness promotion would attend the event. Local and out-of-town artists would perform, and local charitable organizations would be encouraged to attend to do their own fundraising.
Smith noted that these rallies often draw thousands from outside the area, but few would be as family-friendly as the one his group is proposing.
Smith and his group request an "in-kind trade for the use of Thomson Park and Memorial Gardens." The value of the in-kind amount is estimated to be $41,000.
To facilitate the volume of campers that would be sleeping in Thomson Park, exemptions to existing by-laws would be needed.
Smith hails the event as "unlike most. Our aim is to offset the City's in-kind contribution in various ways."
Smith touched on a potential $100,000 windfall to be raised through sponsors before the event even takes place. All proceeds would go to cancer programs.
"With your approval, this could continue for years to come. North Bay has the population and infrastructure to support," the guests. Smith also cites geography as a natural reason for holding the event in North Bay, saying it is a pleasant ride from Toronto, and is the crossroads of Highways 11 and 17.
Millions could be spent on lodging, food, and attractions during the three-day event.
"The people affected by cancer need more help. This disease isn't stopping, and neither is the requirement to fight it," concluded Smith.
When asked by Coun. Jeff Serran if this new event had any affiliation with the now-defunct Bikers Reunion, Smith made it clear that it did not. Asked why that rally had stopped operating, Smith replied that "after 15 years, they were tired, it is a lot of work."
Many of the points raised were included in a proposal presented to Council Monday night, with Councillors just seeing it for the first time, and were not elaborated on.
There was legitimate interest from around the table, and Mayor Al McDonald suggested Smith work with John Severino of Community Services and Melinda Fry of Parks Recreation and Leisure Services on a staff level moving forward.
