Well,
here we are halfway through the summer. Since we did not have an August
meeting I would like to update everyone on the new developments that
have taken place. First of all our grant application has been submitted
and as of August 5, I was informed that it is currently in review.
Secondly, based on documents dating to 1998, Alberta Transportation has
granted us permission to proceed with our project. As a result the
Oldman River Regional Services Commission has resumed our application
for subdivision. Bill Halma from Halma Surveys has informed me that his
schedule is fairly open and he can do our surveying on about a week's
notice. The survey will be carried out after the subdivision is
approved by the Town of Fort Macleod at their September town council
meeting. Once those two things are done, we can complete our land
purchase from the Town.
That
having been said, we will need cash
donations over and above the 850,000 in grant funding for which we have
applied. There are a number of members who feel they are supporting the
club by attending meetings. While we appreciate participation in terms
of attendance, we need our members to either donate to the association
or solicit donations from friends and associates. Without a minimum of
265,000 in cash donations, we will be unable to complete our facility.
All funds go into a trust account held by the Association's lawyer and
are only available to the Association for the purpose of purchasing the
land or construction of the different phases of the facility. Any funds
unused by December, 2010 will be refunded (See the Donation Form on
this site).
There are also a number of members who have said "if
it goes I will donate". Unfortunately it does not work that way. If the
money is not in place, it won't go. The bottom line is we are now in an
excellent position to complete our facility by this time next year.
It's time for any of you skeptics out there who would like to donate to
get off the fence and put in your donation. It's time to Git 'er Done. As I mentioned above, your
money is safe.
The funding above will provide us a completed
facility with the exception of landscaping, which can be completed
in subsequent years. Funding for landscaping will come both from
revenue earned and by accessing smaller grants. The improvements
applied for in this grant include:
1. Pavement
2. Concrete Barrier and starting line concrete
3. Timing tower
4. Concessions & Washroom facilities
5. Bleachers (2000 person capacity)
6. Electrical
7. Water well
8. Fencing (both Security and Wind)
Recently
I was contacted through the Forum on our website by a member of the
Rocky Mountain Street Machines car club in Kalispel, Montana. He
informed me that the Spokane track had been closed for most of this
season. He further indicated that the members of their club would
attend and race at our facility once completed. This is an indication
of our market potential south of the border. The pending close of Race
City Speedway will put us in a position to attract market share from
the north. Our location provides excellent access for people traveling
from the east and west. If we build it they will come.
Alberta Transportation's proposed
highway re-location will have no deterimental effects on our facility.
The bypass will connect to the existing highway at the curve where our
property begins. The access to Tailwind Raceway will remain the same.
I
will be taping an interview with Paul Kingsmith for the Global TV Sports
News on Friday, August 15 and expect it to air the same evening at 6:00
and 11:00. Topics covered will elaborate on those in this newsletter.
Please make a point of watching.
Our next regular meeting is on September 3th at 7:30 pm at JOSS TECHNICAL LTD. 3218-12th Avenue North, Lethbridge