Notes from the Rotary Meeting 12.30pm Thursday, February 8, 2024

President Jackie chaired the meeting. 

There was winner this week in the Toonie Quest West draw.

Rotarians will sell toonie registration slips at a booth at the Winter Carnival Craft Fair on Saturday

Winter Carnival Event on Tuesday at the Rotary Arts Centre. Rotary with Xavier House is hosting a well name game show based on “Family Feud” which will be a Winter Carnival Local Feud between local groups.  Rotary will be having a team of five.  If you would like to participate in the Rotary team let Jackie know either today or tomorrow. It should be a fun event. To attend get tickets costing $10 at the door from the RAC or Xavier House.

Kathleen introduced Malcolm Turner from the Pasadena Ski and Natures Park.

 Malcolm gave us a history of the ski club, spoke of the different trails and the various activities of the club.

 Malcolm began by telling how the cross-country ski club came in to being. The first season it was in operation was 1977 – 78.   Preparations had begun the year earlier when a group of teachers thought skiing would be a great activity for children and young people.  Malcolm had a framed picture from the Western Star showing the new executive with several well-known names including Malcolm’s as the first president. In 1978 the new club hosted Marathon 1978. This required much work with trails having to be prepared etc. even though old woods roads and moose paths were being used. Over 300 people attended this event.

In the eighties proper trails were constructed and Malcolm who has been presidents several times and is now vice-president, showed a map of the present ski trails and snowshoe trails. There are 18 kilometres of trials with more to be added.

The club received a grant so the present two storey chalet could be built. Malcolm brought along a painting of the chalet which showed how it is situated. The chalet can hold 60 people downstairs.  He spoke of the many grants received by the club enabling purchase of ski equipment, improvement of trails, a new trail groomer this year.