Community support brings a new groomer to Black Jack
By Contributor
The Black Jack Cross Country Ski Club, with 633 members last season, is pleased to announce the successful completion of its fundraising campaign for a state of the art track-setter (groomer). With a funding deadline rapidly approaching, generous donations from both the members of the Nelson & District Credit Union (NDCU) and Teck Metals brought the fundraising campaign over the finish line, just in the nick of time. The new groomer has been ordered and will be delivered in time for the upcoming cross country ski season.
The cross country ski club initiated the fundraising campaign in May, with the goal of raising $130k for a new (gently used) groomer. The response from club members and local businesses and organizations was overwhelming, with donations large and small pouring in every week. In addition, a $50k grant was conditionally awarded by the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust (SIDIT), subject to the club completing the full project funding ($130k) by September 15. With only days remaining before the SIDIT deadline, the club was still $21k short. However, with a $10k contribution from the members of the NDCU and a $20k contribution from Teck, the club achieved its goal (and then some) and secured the SIDIT grant. Jim Thomson, Chair of the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust is pleased to support the Black Jack Ski Club Groomer Project. “SIDIT’s objective is to support regionally strategic investments in economic development projects that will have long-lasting and measurable regional benefits for the Southern Interior” said Thomson. “SIDIT’s investment will help diversify the regional winter tourism economy, as well as enhance the “lifestyle package” that the region depends on to attract and retain both employers and employees.”
With the arrival of the new groomer, a Pisten Bully Edge, the quality of trail grooming at Black Jack will put the club on par with the very best Nordic facilities in Canada. Compared to the club’s current groomer, which is now approaching the end of its life, the low-hour Edge will be faster, more fuel efficient, and have a much longer lifespan. Club members and visitors can look forward to the new groomer as soon as the ski season starts, and its performance will certainly be showcased at the upcoming NorAm and Canada Winter Games Trials hosted at Black Jack this December. With the NorAm also serving as the Sprint Trials for the 2011 World Championships in Norway, North America’s best skiers will be in attendance in Rossland.
In addition to the NDCU, Teck, and SIDIT, the Black Jack Ski Club would also like to thank RDKB Area B ($5k), Columbia Power ($1k), Cedar Avenue Dental Centre ($1k), its many generous members, and the following local businesses: Hil-tech Contracting, Miles Daroux Zimmer & Associates, Kootenay Nordic Sports, Bear Country Kitchen, Tails Pet Supplies & Services, Kootenay Nordic Ventures, and Champion Chevrolet. Thank you for supporting local winter recreation and fitness!
