World Snowmobile HQ Coming Along In Eagle River
One of the key backers of the World Snowmobile Headquarters tells us that his group plans to open its facility in early January, in time for spectators to enjoy it while attending this winter's World's Championship Derby at Eagle River, WI.
Said Tom Anderson of Leisure Features and a 2002 International Snowmobile Hall of Fame inductee, "We plan to have the doors open before the Derby weekend in January."
The facility, a converted mini-strip mall located right next to the Derby track, will house memorabilia from the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame in Grand Rapids, MN; a vintage snowmobile museum and display; a World Championship "Wall of Fame" with historic racing sleds of the past; video displays and a gift shop where visitors can purchase clothing, books and videos.
Anderson said that his group, which includes former Ski-Doo vice-president Russ Davis, feels that Eagle River's significance in the history of snowmobiling makes this location a natural venue. Eagle River draws thousands of snowmobilers for the Derby every year. In addition, the Derby Track hosts other snowmobile events each year that include the annual Reunion of vintage sleds in the autumn and snocross racing. Eagle River has become a destination for snowmobilers due to the excellent snowmobile trail system in the Vilas County area.
International Snowmobile Hall of Fame board of director members, Larry Koch and Jerry Bassett recently traveled from Minnesota to view the ongoing construction and chat with Tom Anderson about the World Snowmobile Headquarters' plans for the future. The two ISHOF representatives provided input and insight as to how snowmobiling Hall of Fame members could be represented at the snowmobile headquarters.
Anderson noted that the idea of a centralized snowmobile headquarters encompassing a museum, hall of fame and space for vintage displays and offices for snowmobile related groups like the antique clubs and state snowmobile groups has been a long, difficult process to coordinate. He noted that all the preliminary planning has made implementation a bit easier once they secured a building site.
© 2006 snowmobilia/Jerry Bassett
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