For the first time in their more than 20 year history, the Athabasca River Runners Snowmobile Club has won the prestigious award as Club of the Year.
Members of the River Runners were on hand at the Alberta Snowmobile and Powersports Show in Edmonton Oct. 17 to 19, where they were presented with the award by the Alberta Snowmobile Association (ASA).
The club was also given the award as the top club in the northwest region.
“It was definitely very exciting to win,” said a spokesperson for the club, Jean Bilsky.
“A lot of people have worked hard from the time the club began with about a dozen members to around 200 now. I think our club hosting the ASA Jamboree in February went along way in us getting that award.”
Bilsky explained membership has grown as more and more families take up snowmobiling as a way of family recreation.
“We really promote snowmobiling as a safe and fun recreational activity for families and they find our 200 kilometres of groomed trails very user friendly,” she said.
“There are five rest areas with fire pits that are fully stocked and two warm-up shack along the trails and the families like that. They also like the fact they can get maps and the trails are signed well so no one should get lost.”
The club has also gotten a lot of great cooperation from the municipalities and businesses in the region, which has made it easier to be able to promote the area as a destination for those that want to enjoy the sport, whether as a group of friends or with the entire family in tow.
“Everyone we have worked with has been awesome and were wonderful in helping us host the Jamboree,” she added.
The club is hoping that support continues as they work on getting another 100 kilometres of trails constructed.
She stated the perfect chance to help get the new trails up and running is coming up next week as the club is holding their annual general meeting at their clubhouse, located just west of Athabasca.
The meeting is slated for Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m. and at that time the club will be accepting payments for memberships and welcome anyone that is interested in helping out by being part of the executive.
“The club is always looking for new people to come and join,” added Bilsky.
“And anyone is welcome to attend and check out the club to see if you are interested in becoming a member.”
The club also holds regular meeting every second Wednesday of each month.
