Nov. 20, 2009

Hello everyone! I expect you’ve all noticed that it’s snowing out there! See! If you think snow, you’ll get snow!

A lot of things have been happening in the last month so the executive thought it best to let everyone know what’s happening.

We had a very successful AGM on Oct. 16. About 20 people came out and cheered on our plans for the season, especially the preparations for the Winter Games. Our grant from the BC Lotteries Corp. was sucked away like everyone else’s but we had a little set aside and we could manage.

Then came the weeks from hell. The Pisten Bully (big grooming machine), was sent to Inland Kenworth for a complete overhaul so it wouldn’t break down the week before the Winter Games. Once it was all stripped down, a surprise crack in the frame was found and our bill went almost $20,000 higher than expected. Had to be done. Can’t groom with a cracked frame. Can’t have the Winter Games without a grooming machine.

The new garage being built will get done and there is grant money for that but we have to pay up front and send in the bills. We also have a grant to enlarge the lodge. Same deal. Our cash flow is practically non-existent and this could prove highly problematic to say the least.

However, we’re working with Inland-Kenworth to arrange payment at a manageable rate and we think we’ll be able to pull through.

Then Eurocan announced it was shutting down. This means we’ll lose some valued friends, neighbours and Club members. We’ll also lose our Treasurer. We have Jennifer until Dec. 31. Then she turns into a pumpkin and disappears. Volunteers please!

Then, for personal reasons, Bob found it necessary to resign as president. As Vice-president, I have stepped in to fill the position for the next year. But I am no Bob Oliver. There are limits to my abilities and running construction projects is one of them. We are going to need several committees to finish up all the work Bob has done.

The Board would like to express to Bob how much we appreciate his leadership over the past 2 years and how much he has accomplished in that time. In case you weren’t aware Bob was responsible for:

• --Getting water to the kitchen.

• --Getting trail work and lodge remodelling done (wait til you see the Lodge and the Doggy)

• --Getting the Doggy trail made part of our system.

• --Building the new woodshed and getting it filled.

• --Had Geoff fix the parking lot.

• --He was event coordinator for the Winter Games

• --Did major work with the Ski Rentals

• --Got the new garage project going.

• --Has tirelessly promoted the club in Terrace and Kitimat for the last 2 years.

I’m sure I’ve missed a lot of stuff, but you can see that if we’re going to finish them all, we need a number of committees. Please be available to help!

Bottom line is we’re going to be very busy, and money is going to be very tight but we’ve been through this kind of thing before and we managed, we’ll do it again.

Coming Events:

Nov. 28^th: The rental “Shop” will be open from 1 – 3 pm out at the trails.

Dec. 5^th & 6^th: Peter Krause of McBike in Smithers, will be at McBike in Terrace. If you’re planning on upgrading your own gear or getting a package for the kids, this is the time and place. Pete sells good quality skate skis for kids at a reasonable price. (For kids, ask for waxable, classic skis.) The Club plans to do a waxing clinic before Christmas and another after.

Also on the 5^th: The rental “Shop” will be open again from 1 – 3.

Also on the 5^th: the Jingle Bell Ski is scheduled to start at 4 pm, then a potluck dinner at 5:30. We will hold a quick general meeting to answer any questions people may have at 6:30, and the Halloween fireworks that didn’t get used will blow at 7:30.

It’s gonna be a party folks! Let’s make it a good one!

Dec. 12^th and 19^th: The rental “shop” will be open from 1 – 3 pm.

Dec. 27^th: Open House. 1:30 – 5 pm. Volunteers will be needed to help with rentals, give lessons, tours and hospitality. What else are you doing on the day after Boxing Day? Bring friends – lots – our membership goal this year is 300. We have 126 already. The future health and happiness of the Terrace-Kitimat Region depends on us!

Jan. 2^nd: Race #1 – The New Year’s Dash. A fun race so the Winter Games Team can practice timing and registration. Please help out by going to www.zone4.com to register. We cannot accept registration on the day. The computer won’t allow any flexibility. Check www.snowvalleynordics.com for the complete race notice.

Jan. 9^th: Last day for the rental “shop”. It will be open from 10 am until 2 pm.

Unless I can get volunteers to ‘person’ the ‘shop’, there will be no more regular hours for rentals. Rentals are for the entire season, cost is $50 for a complete set of old skis, boots and poles with $50 deposit. The cost for new skis (with boots and poles) is $75 and $75 deposit.

• Boots only - $20 + $20 dep.

• New Skis only $35 + $35 dep

• Old skis only $20 + $20 dep.

• Poles only $5 + $5 dep.

Rental Season ends March 14^th.

Also on the 9^th: Rabbits begins.

There will be 2 more races in January and February to practice for the Winter Games. We want lots of people to sign up for them. Everyone wins a chocolate bar and it’s always a hoot. Please sign up for them online at www.zone4.com as soon as we advertise them. Race notices will be on the website, the chalk board and inside the lodge. You must sign up online because the Winter Games registration is all done on computer and we have to learn how to do it.

The Marathon will happen at the end of February and you will NOT have to sign up online for that one.

Adult Lessons: Qualified instructors will be available to give lessons to adults. Times will be posted on the website and you must call and sign up in advance. We might get a few in at the end of December. Definitely in Jan. and Feb.

There will be a Teen Ski group getting organized. It’s open to any teen whatever their skill level. Times will be determined but last year we met 3 evenings a week and Saturday afternoons. Attendance at all practices is NOT mandatory. We are a very relaxed, social group much addicted to hot chocolate!

Due to some last minute funding coming available, there has been some last minute work being done on the racing trails this week. Therefore, in spite of the snow, much of the Beaver is bare dirt. You’re welcome to ski but we’re keeping the gate closed until we have another good dump of snow.

Cliff will be packing the Doggy for those who just can’t wait. He is also arranging for snow plowing to happen very soon so we don’t get stuck in the driveway.

If you have questions, suggestions or offers of help about any of the above items, please call Liz Thorne at 632-6055. If you have a criticism, it means you’re volunteering to fix it.

This is going to be a fantastic year so let’s get the skis out and polished up and

THINK SNOW!

See you on December 5!