The Revelstoke Snowmobile Club (RSC) were our hosts for the AGM & Excellence Awards, and they planned an amazing weekend that included extra special events in celebration of their 50th Anniversary. It was a pleasure co-planning this action-packed weekend with Kathy Burke of the RSC. Kathy and her crew did a stellar job at organizing everything from our host hotel, the Sandman Hotel; our caterer, The Village Idiot Pub; the meetings, banquet and gala venue, the Revelstoke Community Centre; and one massive Sunday Ride & charity BBQ at Boulder Mountain and the RSC Greeting Centre. And of course, all the little endless details in between that made for an unforgettable weekend.
The Sandman Inn Revelstoke |
Village Idiot Bar & Grill |
Revelstoke Community Centre |
Team BCSF (Executive, Directors & myself) arrived on Thursday evening to get settled in and prepared for a long weekend that would begin with a Team (Board) meeting on Friday at the Sandman. We hopped in a shuttle (FYI, Revy is a shuttle-crazy town), and headed to Zala’s Steak & Pizza - Bar & Grill for dinner. We were surprised to see the staff were decked out in RSC t-shirts! Zala’s has been a sponsor of the Club for 15 years, and they go above and beyond to show their support. The food was amazing, and the service was top-notch, we would proudly recommend Zala’s to anyone visiting Revelstoke. The next day we woke early for the Board meeting. I’m sure I’m repeating myself from last year, but I am always impressed on how well this group works together! Extra face to face board meetings are planned for the 2018-2019 season, which is a fantastic idea and I’m looking forward to them!
Friday evening was the Revelstoke Snowmobile Club’s 50th Anniversary Celebration at the Community Centre. The Village Idiot catered a delicious spread, using locally sourced ingredients, and the wonderful staff and service made it unbeatable. There was what seemed like a mile-long table of awesome door prizes and even the sweet RSC retro clothing was available to buy as well! It was the neatest thing to see that 15 of 20 Past Club Presidents were in attendance. Each told stories from their time as President and were presented commemorative plaques and retro t-shirts. It was like watching a live documentary of the Club’s 50 years, the stories were touching, but mostly hilarious, and Ron LaRoy of the RSC did a superb job MC’ing the evening.
15 RSC Past Presidents accepting commemorative plaques. |
Ron LaRoy, RSC Secretary & the evenings' Master of Ceremonies. |
BCSF President Richard Cronier, RSC President Daniel Kellie & BCSF Executive Director Donegal Wilson |
As it does every year, Saturday morning came early, and we were off to the Revelstoke Community Centre for a long day of important discussions and the Annual General Meeting. We started off as always with introductions, and then got right into the BCSF Strategic Planning and Provincial Membership Plan discussions. There were round-table discussions after lunch followed by the AGM and elections. Attendance to BCSF Meetings continues to grow! The first AGM that Executive Director Donegal Wilson ever attended (with the Similkameen Snowmobile Club, prior to working for the BCSF) in May of 2012, had only 20 people representing 11 Clubs and the Federation. Six year later, we boast a crowd of 80 people including, 31 voting club representatives, 8 BCSF team members and 41 guests.
80 dedicated sledders gathered to discuss and decide on provincial business. |
Kamloops Snowmobile Association's Larry Bancroft helping facilitate the day. |
PG Snowmobile Club President Meghan Bosecker takes the mic. |
After the business of the day was complete, it was time to honor the people, businesses and Clubs that work tirelessly to support this great sport. We met back at the Community Centre for an evening of great food, great people and the Excellence Awards Ceremony.
RSC 50th Anniversary Ride - Photo by Rod Romanow
The weekend ended with the RSC’s 50th Anniversary Sunday Ride. It was especially exciting for me as it was my first time snowmobiling! There were 64 riders and 12 wonderful volunteer guides to keep the day’s ride safe and smooth. When we all arrived back at the RSC Greeting Center at the end of the day, there was a tasty BBQ of burgers and salads waiting for us. The Club was taking donations for the Travis Squair Memorial Fund which will be used to set up a trust fund for his young daughter, Olive. Thank-you to everyone who participating in the ride and especially to those whom donated. Those of us who stuck around for one more evening in Revy, all met up at the Big Eddy Pub later that evening, for one last chance to visit with each other before saying goodbye until next year. Although the size of our group took the servers off guard and they didn’t seem too pleased with us (we started with 12 people and grew to nearly 40), the Big Eddy’s food and atmosphere was just what this group of weary sledders needed. A fun, relaxing way to end this unforgettable ‘retreat to Revy’.
Each year we become more organized and more unified. Despite our differences we continue to work together to strengthen and grow organized snowmobiling in BC.
