Glenella X-Country Ski Club: 2016-2017 season report
- Details
- Published on Sunday, March 26, 2017
Submitted
The Neepawa Banner
The Glenella X-Country Ski Club had a successful season, in spite of the extreme change in temperatures and snow fall this winter. The heavy and sudden arrival of snow in December allowed for the trails to be groomed and the season opener at the ski warm-up shack. Local families came to hit the trails, try skiing for the first time, buy a season membership and enjoy hot cocoa and the cozy warmth of the shack’s wood stove.
There were some beautiful days for skiing in January. The club hosted a couple Sunday ski parties. Moderate temperatures and fresh snow fall made for perfect trail conditions in January. A highlight was the 60th birthday celebration of the club’s president, Terry Klassen. Her birthday was on a Saturday, Jan. 21. Her friends and family enjoyed a perfect afternoon of skiing and fun in above zero temperatures. Terry and her husband, Marty, have nine grandchildren that ski with them, which is a great example of how the sport is suitable for a wide range in age.
The club had a meeting on Jan. 13. Rose Dayholas, at the age of 91, was in attendance and resigned from her position as secretary/treasurer. Rose has volunteered her efforts and time as secretary and treasurer for the club since 1989, when the club first began. Rose and a group of committed locals are responsible for the original trail construction, the warm-up shack re-location and conversion to a ski shack from a CN building. At that time, the ski club purchased the CN tool house for an amount of $20. Rose and the original board and club members had various fundraisers and extensive community involvement. Their efforts are commendable and appreciated by the current members today. A big thank you to Rose for her years with the club and continued membership!
Membership fees were discussed and will continue to be $5 per member. Membership fees can be paid to the new secretary/treasurer, Christa Klassen. Other proposed business included staining the ski shack this spring and widening the trails, as they are beginning to grow in.
The ski club was happy to donate the use of the trails to the Glenella School in February and encourages the school to take advantage of the convenient opportunity. Drop-ins are welcome and various sets of equipment are available to use in children to adult sizes. Also available are a couple sleighs on skis, for a small child to ride in, which works really well for a parent to ski and pull behind. It was expertly crafted by Terry, equipped with a comfortable harness for pulling. For anyone interested in using the shack or equipment please feel free to call Christa at (204) 352-4020.
Thank you to Terry for making the fabulous new trail sign, ski racks and coat hooks in the shack; also for all the ski equipment, Terry has taken the time to find complete sets in different sizes. These second-hand ski sets are available for use as well as to purchase at $10/set. An additional big thank you to Marty Klassen for making a couple different trail groomers, differing in ski width for both children and adults, as well as for doing all the trail grooming this winter. The contributions and volunteer efforts allow the club to run with minimal over-head and expenses and provide a great past-time to locals. Thank you also to all those who purchased a membership this season!
The Glenella x-country ski club welcomes you to contact us about any information you may want about skiing our trails. We plan to have an active season in 2017-18. If you’re in the area check, out our location behind the R.M. shed/fire hall, immediately to the west as you enter Glenella at the north end of town. We have a map of the trails or can join you on your maiden run. Happy trails and we hope to see you next season!
