Weather hurting snowmobile sales
Lack of snow and warmer temperatures are hurting at least one local outdoor sporting business’ bottom line.
The city has been dipping into temperatures above 0 Celsius this week with Environment Canada forecasting a high of 4C on Tuesday and a low of -5C. The rest of the week is expected to remain in that range with temperatures starting to drop around Sunday.
While many might have welcomed the spring-like weather, Dean Lato, the owner and general manager of Pines Power Sports and Marine, said the melting snow hasn’t helped move snowmobiles. The local dealership, which also has stores in Melfort and Nipawin, was first purchased by Lato back in 2011 but over the years, he said snowmobile sales have started to slow down.
Because of the lag, Lato said the company had to lay off its staffing compliment by 20 to 30 per cent. While the business does sell other vehicles, the snowmobile remained on top in terms of volume sold.