HISTORY OF INVER GROVE HEIGHTS SNOWMOBILE CLUB
The first meeting was held Jan, 10, 1970 at Inver Grove Heights Fire Hall No. 2.
Gordy Sawyers called the meeting to order. Gordy gave a general outline of the purpose of a snowmobile club, promote proper legislation; retain fair license fees; promote good will and public relations; set up trails with proper markings; organize trail rides, rallies, or pow-wows; draw maps of farms with marked trails. He discussed setting up a club with officers; dues; and by-laws. A meeting once a month was suggested. Dick Marsolek made a motion that Gordy Sawyers be presiding officer and Audrey Dailey be secretary until time of elections. Seconded by Dennis Dailey.
There was some discussion on the possibility of permit cards by next year. A suggestion was made to have blanket permission for club members with the leader carrying the written permit and also have guest cards for friends. There should be a clause on the permit card that the property owner will not be held responsible for any injuries. It was suggested to find out the state laws on blanket permission. Club Incorporation or joining with ISA or ASA was discussed. Dues could be per family, individual or machine and were suggested $5 to $10 per year.
Cottage Grove ordinance was reviewed as was our proposed ordinance. Dick Marsolek was to meet with the Village Council Monday night to ask to have the present ordinance on street riding changed. Motion was made to propose street riding in a semi-standing position at 10 M.P.H. to and from place of operation. A suggestion was made to write to surrounding areas for ordinances to keep on file. Discussion on use of kneeling, versus standing while riding machines on the street was held. Anyone interested in joining was asked to fill out cards with name, address and phone number. Ten people signed up to go to the Village Municipal Affairs Committee Meeting Jan.15 about next year's proposed ordinance.
Inver House was suggested for the next meeting on a Sat. or Sun. night at 7:00 P.M. Open membership was suggested. Dick Marsolek made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Bob Lelmann. Audry Dailey, Secretary.
In 1972 the club had a ride to Rochester, Officers did a ride the week before to find a way to get there. We rode on the railroad right of way for part of the ride. We had lunch at Pine Island in the park. I had a John Deere 600, 440. I ran out of gas, then filled the tank, ran out of gas again, then I noticed the run board was all wet with gas. I had to get towed the rest of the way by a Cat. Turns out, my return gas line came off.
The clubs in Dakota County would have a charity ride every year. You would get pledges for so much a mile. It would be from 5 cents to $1 a mile. We would try for 100 miles, usually never making that many miles, but everybody paid for 100 miles. The ride would start at 8AM, a club would leave every 20 minutes, there would be about 6 clubs with about 20 sleds per club. We had a support vehicle follow along on the road to pick up the sleds that didn't make it. There were always a few sleds on the trailer.
We would also do an evening ride to Rosemount which is 15 miles, that would take all evening to get there and back. We would have about 20 sleds. One would quit running, when we got that one going, another one wouldn't start. When we did a day ride, we would stop at a gravel pit on the way to Rosemount and have a hot dog roast and refreshments. Over the years the club has had usually from 20 to 30 families.
We did a Snowmobile Safety class each year. We are part of Dakota Trails, they do our trail grooming. Our trail starts at Rich Valley Park, this is a park and ride. Our trail goes down to Town of Coates, this ties into all of the trails in Dakota County. We have 24 members in the club. The club has been around for 56 years, I have belonged to the club for 54 years. Check out our club website -
ighsnowmobileclub.org.
See our WCCO news story this year:
https://www.ighsnowmobileclub.org/wcco-interview-on-snowmobilng
Jim Smeby, Secretary
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