Township of Blandford-Blenheim Council approved a noise bylaw exemption for the Great Lakes ATV Club during its regular meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
The club requested a noise by-law exemption to permit extended operating hours for ATV rides over the summer.
Currently, the noise bylaw permits noise between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Saturdays, and between 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays.
The ATV Club was asking for permission for members to ride until 10:30 p.m., noting that all noise from exhausts or motos would cease no later than 11 p.m., on the following ten Saturdays: July 4, 11, 18, and 25; August 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29; and September 5.
Each ride would take place on a trail located on Township Road 9, 0.5 kilometres east of 846148 Township Road 9 in Bright.
Last year, the club was granted exemptions for four dates between July and October, and according to the Township, no by-law complaints were received.
Speaking as a delegate during the meeting, Max Maschke said he lives in close proximity to the area and was concerned about the kind of noise that would be happening.
“I’m just wondering what they’re planning. Are they having a live band or a DJ where the sound is going to spread beyond the borders of their club?,” he asked. “They want it up to 11 p.m. and I don’t know why you would need that. I was young once too, nothing good happens after 11 and that’s my concern. Is there going to be alcohol there and are they getting a liquor license? …I’m just concerned.”
Maschke went on to say that some riders have modified exhausts with no mufflers, making them rather loud.
He said that while he wasn’t trying to stop anyone from having fun, he felt that 9 p.m., as per what is allowed in the by-law, was late enough.
Lisa Rocheleau, vice-president of the Great Lakes ATV Club, later clarified that the request wasn’t intended for weekly large gatherings, but to allow their members to use the trails for an extra hour and a half on the trails.
“This request is not about creating weekly festivals, loud gatherings or organized club events each week,” she said. “This request is simply an extension of one-and-a-half hours beyond the current allowable riding hours for our members and trail users who wish to enjoy the trail system responsibly, and at their leisure during the summer season. Many riders work throughout the week, and Saturday evenings provide them with a few opportunities for them to enjoy the trail system with family and friends.”
Club secretary Tracy Litts added that the only planned event was scheduled for August 22.
“Our only organized evening event, which is used to raise donations towards one of the community services [such as the fire department and local food bank], if approved, is planned for August 22,” she said. “For these rides, the attendance is capped at a maximum of 30 riders to maintain integrity of the trail system, as well as out of respect for the neighbours.”
While Councillors Tina Young and Bruce Banbury were leaning towards approving the exemption for all ten dates, Councillors Daryl Barnes and Nancy Demarest thought allowing the exemption for four dates, as was done in 2025, was more appropriate.
In the end, Council agreed to permit the club a total of five exemption dates including Saturday July 11 and 25; August 8 and 22; and September 5.
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
