With 2016 being the 10th anniversary of incorporation of the Canadian Legion of Riders, the Battlefords, the year was busy.
It began with a donation of $1,000 to Midwest Food Resources. A request was received from this organization before Christmas and the executives deemed it a worthwhile local group to receive some help.
At the annual fish fry, memberships were renewed, merchandise sold and tickets on the Johnny Pag raffle bike were made available. There was also 50/50 draws, door prizes, and food for all who attended.
An enclosed cargo trailer was purchased for carrying the Johnny Pag bike and all the merchandise and supplies that have accumulated. If members ever break down and need to be rescued they can contact a member of the executive.
Tickets on the Johnny Pag bike were sold at the Moose Jaw swap meet and the Lloydminster Expo. Sales for both places were good for a sluggish economy, or CLR just has great volunteers helping to promote ticket sales.
Members attended as many locations as they could to sell tickets. They travelled to the Regina swap meet, Saskatoon motor sports power show and tattoo, Kindersly trade show, burger day at Edge Harley Davidson and local venues around the Battlefords.
In May, a donation of $500 was made to the Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association who look after the Wheels for our Wounded event. The charity raises money to get disabled veterans back on motorcycles. The donation was presented at their annual poker run in Nisku, Alta.
CLR collaborated with the Battlefords Ag Society to host the Go Flat Track School taught by Aaron Hesmer, president of flat track Canada and a few professional Canadian riders from Ontario. They were impressed with the Ag Society’s facility and were pleased with the target group of participants, as nine out of 11 entrants have never been on a flat track. The workshop helped to increase interest in the sport and is another way the CLR is promoting motorcycling as a whole.
CLR’s 14th annual Ride For a Vet charity run, dedicated to fallen rider Derrick Dyck from Meadow Lake, drew 200 registered riders. There were riders from as far away as Thompson, Man. and Calgary, Alta. The poker run was a beautiful ride through the Thickwood Hills of Whitko and Rabbit Lake onto Spiritwood, Glaslyn, Turtleford and ending in Meota.
The catered meal from Second to None Catering was excellent. While the riders ate, the volunteers dealt with the many door prizes, silent auction and 50/50 draws and show and shine winners were awarded.
The Tom Kryzranowsky Memorial Trophy for outstanding dedication was awarded to executive member Jack Tatchell. Jack has worked very hard for the CLR and has looked after all raffle sales, bookings, licensing, financial reviewing, as well as volunteering at most events.
The riders left around 6:30 p.m. giving the volunteers a little break before the dance. Those attending the dance had a great time enjoying the Barons of Buckingham and the Groove Diggers. The Johnny Pag motorcycle draw was at midnight and won by Sandra O’Connell from Regina. Second place prize of the electric dirt bike went to Dominic Turley from Saskatoon.
Clean up of the rink took over a week because of the extreme rain that started around 3:30 a.m. The area was declared a disaster zone as the rink had received four to five inches of water and the grounds were under water.
Over the August long weekend members who wanted to attend the 10th anniversary celebration rode to Nipawin and camped at the regional park. The park was very accommodating to all the riders. Some CLR members explored the Nipawin area and other members attended events open to the public during Wounded Warriors Weekend and others attended the mud bog races.
Members shared a meal the Sunday catered by a small company from Nipawin to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the CLR. Monday members were up at 6 a.m. to escort veterans from Nipawin to Wakaw where we were met by 100 or so riders for the beginning of the wounded warriors motorcycle cavalcade into the Saskatoon airport. CLR members are proud to be invited to participate in the escort.
Sept. 10, the club hosted a second round of motorcycle flat track racing in the Battlefords along with partners the Battlefords Ag Society. This event has grown from last year with 38 registered racers from all over western Canada who brought 60 bikes to race. There were 10 local riders racing for their first time, which CLR attributes to the Go Flat Track School that was held in June.
There were 100 more spectators in the stands from the previous year and 66 motorcycles entered the show and shine. We are proud to bring this event to the Battlefords and were recognized by Saskatchewan Tourism in 2015. Although there is a world class race track in the Battleford, the event has to keep growing to continue. Overall the participants and the race fans thoroughly enjoyed the day.
A Halloween dance was hosted in October, with the opening band Stereo Playground got the crowd moving. The Barons Of Buckingham followed and got the crowd going even more. After the midnight meal both bands got a few tunes in together before everyone called it a night.
This past October the executive board determined the organizations that would receive donations, along with the money from the Johnny Pag lottery. These were:
• Purchasing a table at the wounded warrior’s fundraiser held in North Battleford and making a $1,000 donation to their next WWW event.
• Purchasing a blood pressure machine and some sheepskins for Battlefords District Care Centre, a total donation of $5,026.
• Purchasing a couch and love seat from Guy’s Furniture for Sask. Hospital ($2,090).
• $500 to the No. 365 Air cadets in Kindersley.
• $1,000 to the Battlefords Air Cadets.
• $1,000 to the Battlefords Army cadets.
• $1,000 to 2nd North Battlefords scouts.
• $1,000 to The Battlefords Humane Society.
• $500 to the 4-Corner Boxing club.
• $1,550 to The Meota Lions Club.
• $2,555 for a wheelchair lift for the Villa Pascal in the Battlefords.
• $1,000 to the Royal Canadian Legion No. 76 in Meadow Lake.
• $1,600 to the Royal Canadian Legion No. 9 in Battleford.
• $10,000 to the Royal Canadian Legion No. 70 in North Battleford.
The CLR motorcycle raffle enabled the group to donate $31,761.14 to what members feel are all worthy causes.
The group ended the year off with ticket sales for our 2017 lottery in the Co-op mall the week prior to Christmas.
The Canadian Legion of Riders executive credits the support of members, businesses and volunteers throughout the year for the group’s ability to give back to the community.
