The oldest operating snowmobile club in B.C. has a new home.
The Vernon Snowmobile Association (VSA) celebrates the Grand Opening of its new chalet Saturday, March 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a barbecue lunch and firepit.
All members of the public including past and present club members are invited to attend. Those without snowmobiles are also welcome as transportation to the chalet will be provided with shuttle service leaving from the snowmobile parking lot on Sovereign Lake Road. RSVP by sending an email to: Snowevents.vsa@gmail.com.
“The chalet build would not have been possible without the generous contribution of many local organizations and the tireless efforts of many club members,” said VSA member Grant Anderson.
Donations both monetary and materials/labour were provided by many local companies including a $100,000 grant from the province.
Construction efforts began in the fall of 2022 when the old chalet was demolished. Then throughout the summer and fall of 2023 the foundation was poured, and the new chalet rose on the same spot as the old chalet.
“The new chalet is an impressive structure built to last the next 60 years with a vaulted ceiling, generous windows allowing in natural light and a beautiful all cedar interior,” said Anderson.
The new chalet will always be unlocked and will service a broad range of users from snowmobilers and snowshoers in the winter to mountain bikers and hikers in the summer.
The (VSA) is the oldest operating snowmobile club in B.C. having been originally formed in 1967.
The association supports over 160 kilometres of trails and now has a brand-new chalet within Silver Star Provincial Park and another existing chalet outside of the park towards Armstrong.
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