The January Newsletter
On January 9, 2008, SADRA elected a new executive to hold office for the coming year. I, Haydn Powis, now hold the position of president. The coming year is shaping up to be the most exciting year in the history of SADRA since its inception. I am very proud to be in a position to lead SADRA though this transition from a lobby group and a club of drag racing enthusiasts to becoming the governing body which will oversee the operations of a thriving motor-sport facility in Southern Alberta.
This facility will not only benefit the tourism industry in Southern Alberta, but also directly benefit the Town of Fort MacLeod in many ways. The town is facing a highway relocation which would reroute traffic around the town replacing the current corridor through the downtown core. This could potentially cause financial hardships for Fort Macleod merchants due to lost traffic. Although the town currently has some points of interest that will attract passers by to exit the new bypass, the drag strip will be attracting enthusiasts directly to Fort MacLeod as well as potentially attracting passers by. The renewed influx of traffic would then have an opportunity to experience the hospitality and other points of interest that Fort MacLeod has to offer. The facility will establish a new tax base for the town by creating a revenue earning facility on property which was previously wasteland adjoining a former landfill.
Since obtaining a lease on 81 acres (more or less) of land, approximately 10 years ago, from the Town of Fort Macleod over 425,000 dollars has been spent on leasehold improvements. Over the past year we have made significant strides toward achieving our goal of a drag strip facility at Fort MacLeod. SADRA has exercised its option to buy the said property and after overcoming some obstacles we are nearing completion of that purchase. We are in the process of applying for government grants in excess of 1,000,000 dollars as well as seeking donations from local businesses and private individuals.
The property is located in close proximity to where the new police college is to be built. This provides us with opportunity to promote safe motor-sport working hand in hand with law enforcement officials as well as the next generation of law enforcement.
It is my belief that everyone has a certain level of abilities and ideas that can further benefit the organization. The purpose of this letter is not to solicit your involvement. However, I would welcome the wealth of ideas and input that the total membership could provide. Over the next year I will be working to assess and meet the needs of all members who have placed their trust and confidence in SADRA. Some of you who are receiving this letter I have already met and had the privilege of working with. Many of the rest of the membership I have not met. It is my hope that I will have the opportunity to personally meet each and every one of you during the course of my administration. Should any of you have any questions or wish to contact me please do not hesitate to call or send me an email.