REFLECTION 2016/2017 SEASON
Thank you to all of our supporters this season – volunteers, donators and those who purchased ASA Membership Trail Passes and Sled Raffle Tickets. We had a year with low snow and warm temperatures, however, the club had many projects and activities on the go. The following are projects that we accomplished and we want to thank all those that were involved:
-monthly meetings for the Executive and the General members (Executive Committee over 300 volunteer hours)
-We had a booth at the ASPS Event in Edmonton and Winter Mania in Whitecourt
-Hosted an Avalanche Awareness session with Zacs Tracs and also hosted a Avalanche Seminar with Avalanche Canada in November.
-Building our Partnership with Industry – Pembina Pipeline Corporation, Midwest Pipelines, Millar Western Forest Products, Blue Ridge Lumber. Pembina built a pipeline through the northern part of our trail system from Gundy Cabin to Carson Cabin and through the areas. Millar Western was busy logging on the north and south areas adjacent and across our trails. Blue Ridge was logging in the north.
-Our Adopt a Trail program and other volunteers cleaned and maintained 485 kms of our trails. Our dedicated and greatly appreciated volunteers developed, modified and mulched trails in the Bessie Creek area, Stony Creek, Eagle River Casino area and by the Chickadee Burner/Old Man River. There was over 1000 hours dedicated to our trails this year. In addition to the great work completed and donated by Midwest Pipeline in the northern trails (200 hrs)
-Dedicated volunteers spent many hours erecting new signs on the trails
-Our work on updating our maps and designating CNT’s are almost complete and ready to be registered with Alberta Land Titles. We will then reproduce our paper, billboard and computer maps. Maps will be available to download in the Garmen file in the Fall (over 200 volunteer hours)
-Our staging areas are all cleaned up, shed has new siding and tin on the roof. Wood all stocked up for the next season. Upgraded wood stove in Summit cabin.
-Many groomer repairs/modifications such as brush guards completed and installed on both snow cats and installed LED Lights on snow cats and the truck (over 200 volunteer hours)
-We sold 163 2017-ASA Membership Trail Passes. We now sell Trail Passes on our website as well as at our suppliers.
-We had a profit from the sale of the Sled Raffle Tickets. Thank you to our volunteers who sold tickets (over 345hrs)
-Developed a new agreement for renters for the Eagle River Campground. Almost every weekend was booked from May to September.
-We’ve approached the Town and County to construct a portion on to the Athabasca Bridge which would assist with snowmobile traffic in the winter crossing the Athabasca River.
-Organized a VIP and Media Ride that did not occur due to low snow and warm temperatures.
-Organized a Canada 150 Rally for February 18/19 that did not occur due to low snow and warm temperatures.
-Partnered with the Golden Triangle Committee on organizing an Adventure 350 Rally planned for March 4/5, but unfortunately did not go forward due to low snow and warm temperatures.
-We were given 6 awards from SnoRiders West Magazine for the 18th Annual Rider’s Choice Awards – Platinum – Favorite Snowmobiling Area in Alberta, Silver Favourite Snowmobiling Area in Western Canada, Gold-Favourite Scenic Snowmobiling Area in Alberta, Platinum – Favourite Groomed Trail Riding in Alberta, Platinum-Favourite Powder Riding in Alberta, and Platinum-Favourite area for Family Snowmobiling in Alberta.
-Three groups from our club won 3 awards from the Alberta Snowmobile Association in October:
1.Dan, Sue, Brad, Rachele and Hailey Guenette – Canadian Council of Snowmobiling Organizations award presented at the ASA Excellence Awards in October.
2.Bailey Hearn was given the Outstanding Youth Award
3. Cyril Lanctot was awarded the Louise Sherrin Lifetime Achievement Award
-We won the Provincial SnoRiders West Sledtown Showdown the Provincial level and received a trophy and gift certificate for winning – highest number of voters. Lost out in Round 5.
-We are now into organizing and planning for next season. Although we had a low snow year, we will still operate, maintain and develop trails and plan for events. Thank you to all of you who make our club what it is. Thanks again to our donators, suppliers and supporters. See you on the trails next year