The Yorkton Sno-Riders Snowmobile Club held its annual season wind-up at the Yorkton Gun Club located at York Lake Regional Park. The evening which included a banquet, celebrated the end of another tremendous season, an expression of gratitude to both area landowners whose land the club's trail system crosses and to recognize the efforts of the many club members who contributed to the club's success.
The awards presented during the evening recognized the hard work of the club executive and membership, explains Yorkton Sno-Riders president Jason Popo-wich. The awards also recognize the contributions of the corporate sponsors. The Sno-Riders are especially grateful to area landowners, Popowich states. "With-out the cooperation of the landowners our trail system would not exist. We really appreciate their support and the privilege of crossing their land which they've given us since the inception of the trail system," he points out.
The club had a very good season starting right at the beginning of December right up until a few weeks ago, Popo-wich declares. There was were lots of sleds and a lot of traffic on the trail system, he says. There were many snowmobilers coming to the Yorkton area from other centres.
The trail system, which stretches from Yorkton west to Foam Lake, up to Lintlaw and back to Kelvington, Rhein, Kamsack and Canora for over 500 km of trails, attracted many visiting sleds over the winter Popowich reports.
The annual dealer tour, one of the best ever, kicked off the season with the million dollar Ski-Doo which helped the club sign over 200 members. The $10 per member contribution by Bombardier/Ski-Doo was a welcome addition to Sno-Rider coffers.
While there was lots of snow at the beginning of the season, Popowich says, it didn't freeze good first which created some difficulties for the club. Trail marking teams were getting stuck with their sleds and breaking through thin ice on sloughs. The trail grooming equipment required some maintenance and major repairs. Fortun-ately the club owns three groomers so that there was always one or two available to groom trails. The resulting expenses put some tension on the executive and operators, Popowich admits. He insists, however the difficulties highlighted the club's strength. The Sno-Riders kept driving forward rather than letting the problems affect them negatively.
February saw the club participating in Snowarama.
The Sno-Riders had a windfall in arch when it was announced that the club was awarded a new 2011 Ski-Doo snowmobile worth over $10,000 by Bombardier and King's Sport and Leisure for their participation in the Million Dollar membership drive. Popowich expressed his appreciation to Paul Smolinski at King's Sport and Leisure for getting the Sno-Riders involved in the program three years ago. "It's brought us over $5,000 that we wouldn't have otherwise," Popowich points out.
In looking ahead to next season, the club has ordered a new trail groomer from John Deere.
The club isn't considering any new programming in the near future. Maintaining the current status quo with shelter and trail maintenance as well as some major attention to trail grooming equipment will be the chief activities for the upcoming season, Popowich suggests. "If we can get another long season like this one, our season will be a success," he predicts.
The Yorkton Sno-Riders have Jerry Jemieff who as safety instructor has been conducting safety courses for club members. The club also provides a rebate to any members who participate in a snowmobile safety course put on by the Saskatchewan Safety Council.
The club has expanded its corporate sponsorship this year. Corporate sponsors help with fuel and maintenance costs for the groomers and maintenance of the trail system.
The Sno-Riders system is part of the cross Canada trail system. The club hosted a national trail marking and grooming workshop in January, Popowich reports. "Members from across the prairie provinces attended to learn to sign better and learn about all the latest in grooming equipment and techniques," he explains.
The executive for 2011-2012 was elected at the AGM following the banquet. The new executive includes Jason Popowich - president, Rick Bilous - vice-president, Jolene Kindiak - secretary, Eric Larson and Don Thompson - co-treasurers. Directors include Jerry Holowatuk,
Awards were presented to Ralph Moore as Member of the Year, Don Thompson as Executive member of the Year, Paul Smolinski of King's Sport and Leisure as Business of the Year, Tyler and Jolene Kindiak as family of the Year, and Yorkton Welding and machine as Non-snowmobile Business of the Year.
