By Melissa Smalley
Despite nearly 50 years of history in the community, the 100 Mile House Snowmobile Club is struggling to maintain its membership numbers, according to the club’s “thoroughly disappointed” president.
Al Reichardt says he was frustrated at the dismal turnout to the club’s annual general meeting last month, which was attended by only five people, despite his efforts to get the word out to the community.
“I was really choked with the lack of support. We’re trying to carry on the legacy of the club, but the feeling I get from people is ‘why would I buy a membership when I can ride my snowmobile for free’?”
Countless volunteer hours are spent each season maintaining trails and the organization’s clubhouse on Ainsworth Road.
Reichardt says without the support of a larger membership, the responsibilities of running the club are a huge burden for the few left taking care of them.
The club has a long history in 100 Mile House, and was formed in 1969 by Jack and Donna Barnett, who is the Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA, along with other enthusiasts in the area.
Donna says snowmobile racing in the 1960s and ’70s was a huge tourist draw to the area.
“There were 17 snowmobile dealers in 100 Mile House at the time, and we had the biggest and best racetrack in all of B.C. There was once 365 racers here on a weekend.”
When trail riding began to take over in popularity from track racing, Barnett says her husband was inspired to build some registered trails around the region, in an effort to encourage rider safety, boost tourism and protect the environment.
“He spent most of his life working on snowmobile trails and promoting safety.”
Barnett says she agrees with the club’s current president that enthusiasts in the area should be supporting the club by purchasing a membership – $80 for a single, $100 for a couple and $120 for a family of four – noting the benefits go beyond access to well-maintained trails and insurance discounts.
“You’re supporting an organization of volunteers that has basically built the snowmobile trails, and a facility that is open to everybody,” Barnett says, adding the club does have a history of fluctuating membership numbers.
“As long as you have an organization like that, who cares about the environment and safe snowmobiling, people should participate. And the money all goes back to the trails and keeping the assets we have on the 99 Mile.”
Reichardt notes members are not obligated to undertake any of the maintenance work if they don’t want to, nor do they have to attend meetings.
“It’s all on a volunteer basis… we just do it because we don’t want to see people go without.”
To find out more about the club or to sign up, call Reichardt at 250-706-9825.