Fall 2011 Update:
The ISC is really going through an exciting time. We have
changed our fee requirement, have hosted two successful outdoor
events, and are completing work on the 25 meter hill. We are
improving our facilities to be able to involve more kids
throughout the year. Jumping is available year round on the 10
and 40 meter hills during the summer on plastic and all hills in
the winter on snow.
Skiing is free this year. We have eliminated fees so anyone can
come and use our ski equipment, coaching, hills, and facilities
without cost. We want to encourage the area youth to participate
in healthy outdoor activities—and adults as well. We go beyond
ski jumping in our programs, now offering mountain biking,
running and cross country skiing training also. We are able to
offer these programs free to the public because of the
tremendous support we get from individuals and businesses in the
community who donate their time, products and money for this
effort.
Range Bank is the major sponsor for our 125th Annual
Tournament. Range Bank is also having their 125th
anniversary and we are joining forces to celebrate together. We
are really excited about our tournament this year. It will take
place on Wednesday, February 8th at 6 p.m. We will
have four foreign teams along with the US Ski team. We are
having fireworks along with the bonfires and tailgating this
year.
This past August the ski club hosted the first annual Suicide
Bowl Mud Plunge, which was organized by the Ishpeming-Negaunee
Chamber of Commerce. The organizers did a fantastic job, and it
was attended by over 740 participants, surpassing all
expectations!! The ISC was awarded a portion of the proceeds to
help support our programs.
In October we held our third annual Cliffs Autumn Classic, which
consists of 5k and 10k races. Participation continues to
increase—this year we had 79 registered runners. This event is
organized by the ISC, so all proceeds go toward supporting our
programs.
Our major project this fall is the modernization of the old 20
meter hill into a brand new 25 meter hill. In order to keep the
hill in the same spot next to the 13 meter hill, a significant
landscaping job had to be accomplished. Thanks to Lindberg and
Sons, Sogergren Septic Service, Cliffs Natural Resources, Holli
Forest Products, U.P. Fabricating, and all of the HARDWORKING
ski club members!
Lindberg and Sons came in with a large excavator and front end
loader and accomplished the profile work in two days. Then we
began to build the scaffold. The old hill was all natural, but
the new hill needed a complete wooden scaffold because it needed
to rise 35 feet above the top of the landscape. Cliffs donated
used power poles for the tower and with the help of Sodergren’s
backhoe and Holli’s logging trucks, the poles were set, allowing
construction to begin. All the carpentry and construction work
was accomplished by ski club members. The final step was to
install a steel stairway to access the scaffold. U.P.
Fabricating took the old steps we salvaged from the demolition
of Ishpeming’s Penny store and reconditioned and restructured
them.
Apart from the reprofiling and construction on the 25 meter hill,
other projects have also been accomplished. U.P. Fabricating is
making and donating a snow sled that will be used to snow the
scaffolds of the 25 and 60 meter hills. Holli Forest Products
came in with their excavator, dozer and truck and increased the
counter slope on the outruns of the 13 and 25 meter hills to
help the skiers stop.
The 25 meter hill is prepared for the installation of plastic.
This decision will be made in the future. It could happen as
soon as next summer, and is dependent upon finances.
To donate or for more information, contact ISC President Tom
Petersen at
president@ishskiclub.com.
You can learn more online by visiting us on Facebook:
Ishpeming Ski Club
Photo galleries can be viewed online at
our web gallery.
