Club wins Federal Grant Approval
09/12/07
Back in
October 2006, Lost Trail Snowmobile Club pursued a
Grant and submitted an application for the SAFETEA-LU
Recreational Trails Program. The Lost Trail Club was
assuming additional miles of trail by adding two new
offshoots from their Boonville location, one in the
direction of Constableville, and one in the direction
of Port Leyden/Lyons Falls. Both trails would connect
to other clubs making the state corridor system more
accessible to these communities.
Back in
October 2006, Lost Trail Snowmobile Club pursued a
Grant and submitted an application for the SAFETEA-LU
Recreational Trails Program. The Lost Trail Club was
assuming additional miles of trail by adding two new
offshoots from their Boonville location, one in the
direction of Constableville, and one in the direction
of Port Leyden/Lyons Falls. Both trails would connect
to other clubs making the state corridor system more
accessible to these communities. Lost Trail has only
one groomer and these additional miles made it
necessary to acquire another groomer. If anyone has
groomed trails, they know that traveling 4 to 5 miles
per hour to groom a trail takes several hours. That
doesn’t leave much room for downtime to service or
repair one piece of equipment.
The purpose of putting in for the Grant was to obtain one additional piece of equipment that could be used to groom trails in the winter and to maintain trails in the off season. With this in mind the Club researched equipment that could perform this dual work. Several other clubs in the State had purchased this type of equipment and were very satisfied with its use, so Lost Trail looked in to various makes of equipment that followed these lines. A high horsepower tractor that could have the wheels removed in the winter and be installed with a track-system that would pull a drag through the snow to give a good smooth ride for snowmobiles.
In December of 2006, Lost Trail Snowmobile Club was advised by Bernadette Castro of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation that they had been recommended for funding under the Recreational Trails Program. Because it is a federally funded program the actual awarding of the Grant had to be federally approved. The Club would be notified by the Regional Grants Office when this approval was given. After waiting for several months, the good news came in late August that we were federally approved to receive a Grant of $98,386, with the club paying the additional monies which could amount to $25,000 or more. There is still a lot of paperwork to go through before actually ordering the needed equipment. Bid Invitations had to be advertised, a Bid Opening held, and additional meetings with the Regional Grants Office. Hopefully all this can be done and equipment can be ordered before the snow flies and actual grooming commences.
Lost Trail Club has been busy throughout the summer with working on the trails, entering both the Fair Parade and Woodsmen’s Parade and handling a new Fundraiser. This fundraiser is to raffle off a 2008 TNT Ski Doo. We have been taking the sled to many events for exposure and to sell the tickets which are $10 each. Only 1100 tickets are to be sold and the drawing will take place December 7 at the Shootout. Tickets are available from any club member. It won’t be long now before It’s time to put up directional signs on the trails, repair bridges, finish work on the new trails, brushing, etc. Volunteers are always welcome to help....If you are a snowmobller who likes smooth trails, then lend a hand now to help the club get ready. Fundraisers are being held to help pay for the high-priced diesel fuel that runs the groomers as well as other expenses that go Into making a trail. Did you know that it cost $999.00 for hemlock decking just to deck one bridge this past summer? So come help with the chicken barbecues, or help sell sled raffle tickets. Lost Trail Club is also selling tickets on a Harley bike that will reap some profit for the Club. Just call 794-5154, 225-4262, 942-2431 or 942-4464 if you can help in any way.
The purpose of putting in for the Grant was to obtain one additional piece of equipment that could be used to groom trails in the winter and to maintain trails in the off season. With this in mind the Club researched equipment that could perform this dual work. Several other clubs in the State had purchased this type of equipment and were very satisfied with its use, so Lost Trail looked in to various makes of equipment that followed these lines. A high horsepower tractor that could have the wheels removed in the winter and be installed with a track-system that would pull a drag through the snow to give a good smooth ride for snowmobiles.
In December of 2006, Lost Trail Snowmobile Club was advised by Bernadette Castro of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation that they had been recommended for funding under the Recreational Trails Program. Because it is a federally funded program the actual awarding of the Grant had to be federally approved. The Club would be notified by the Regional Grants Office when this approval was given. After waiting for several months, the good news came in late August that we were federally approved to receive a Grant of $98,386, with the club paying the additional monies which could amount to $25,000 or more. There is still a lot of paperwork to go through before actually ordering the needed equipment. Bid Invitations had to be advertised, a Bid Opening held, and additional meetings with the Regional Grants Office. Hopefully all this can be done and equipment can be ordered before the snow flies and actual grooming commences.
Lost Trail Club has been busy throughout the summer with working on the trails, entering both the Fair Parade and Woodsmen’s Parade and handling a new Fundraiser. This fundraiser is to raffle off a 2008 TNT Ski Doo. We have been taking the sled to many events for exposure and to sell the tickets which are $10 each. Only 1100 tickets are to be sold and the drawing will take place December 7 at the Shootout. Tickets are available from any club member. It won’t be long now before It’s time to put up directional signs on the trails, repair bridges, finish work on the new trails, brushing, etc. Volunteers are always welcome to help....If you are a snowmobller who likes smooth trails, then lend a hand now to help the club get ready. Fundraisers are being held to help pay for the high-priced diesel fuel that runs the groomers as well as other expenses that go Into making a trail. Did you know that it cost $999.00 for hemlock decking just to deck one bridge this past summer? So come help with the chicken barbecues, or help sell sled raffle tickets. Lost Trail Club is also selling tickets on a Harley bike that will reap some profit for the Club. Just call 794-5154, 225-4262, 942-2431 or 942-4464 if you can help in any way.