The Williams Lake Powder Kings Snowmobile Club could be forced to shut down this winter due to a lack of volunteer support.
This will mean all trail agreements will be cancelled and the club will liquidate all of its assets, including the grooming machine used at Yank’s Peak.
“I’m drawing a line in the snow,” said Rick Jelley, who’s been president with the club for the past decade.
“No people are showing any interest. We’d set a meeting two weeks ago trying to see where people want to take the club and we’re looking for people to step up and we’re looking for some people to take part in the executive.”
Jelley said the club, which has hosted multiple annual rides for the past 10 years in and around Williams Lake, is now down to a small handful of people doing all the work.
“That’s the sad part about it,” Jelley said. “We’ve done a lot with building it up over the last 10 years but it’s to the point where it’s down to four or five people doing everything and those people get burnt out.”
Currently, the Powder Kings groom 15 kilometres of trails from the Yank’s Peak parking lot to the cabin. As well, this year, an additional 12 kilometres of trail was brushed and to be groomed this season.
The Yank’s Peak trail system makes up an important portion of the Gold Rush Trail.
Snowmobilers can presently ride on the Gold Rush Trail from 70 Mile House all the way to Horsefly on signed and legal trails. Plans were in the works to continue that link from Horsefly to Barkerville in the pristine backcountry of the Cariboo Mountains with direction and assistance from the local snowmobile club.
Those interested in preserving the club are invited to the Powder Kings’ annual general meeting this Thursday, Dec. 5, at Thompson Rivers University in Williams Lake in room 1303 at 7 p.m.
The biggest role to be filled within the executive will be that of president, however, Jelley said he will be available to assist anyone willing to step up to take on the role.
