Foundation Information
Television program features Loppet in show about passion for cross country skiing in Minnesota
Mission
Board of Directors
- Kate Ellis, President
- Scott Gislason, Treasurer
- Corey Brinkema, Vice-President
- John Munger, Executive Director, Secretary
- R.T. Rybak
- Piotr Bednarski
- Peter Hanson, M.D.
- Mark Bixby, M.D.
- Ed Ryan, M.D.
- Bruce Abbett
- Jim Van Iwaarden
- Mark Raderstorf
Non-profit status
Annual Meeting Date
History
The City of Lakes Nordic Ski Foundation came into existence in 2002. Initially, the organization concentrated its efforts on improving ski trails in the Minneapolis area, especially at Theodore Wirth Park. Inspired by Mayor R.T. Rybak and Park Board Commissioners Jon Olson and John Erwin, the idea of holding a ski race through Wirth Park and finishing on Minneapolis' Chain of Lakes near Uptown soon took hold of the group. Despite being forced to use a lakes-only course, in its first year the Loppet attracted some 800 skiers and registration had to be closed because the demand was more than the organization could accommodate at that time.
There were three notable events during the summer of 2003 - all resulting from the leadership and efforts of the Foundation. First, the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board voted to commission a plan for the Wirth Winter Recreation Area, which included snowmaking and lights for cross country skiing. Second, the City of Minneapolis appropriated $200,000 for the Winter Recreation Area. Finally, the organization focused its attention on finishing the 2004 event in Uptown. Volunteers also did extensive work to expand the Loppet trails. With an Uptown finish and a full-course race, the Loppet doubled in size, attracting over 1600 skiers in 2004.
The course crew attracted more volunteers after the 2004 event, and several kilometers of trails were added, including trails through the grounds of Bryn Mawr Elementary School and Anwatin Middle School (adjacent Minneapolis Public Schools in the Bryn Mawr neighborhood). Working together with North Memorial Medical Center, the Minneapolis Park Board and the Minneapolis Public Schools, the Foundation started the Bryn Mawr Skis Program during the 2004-5 school year. Hundreds of Minneapolis public school children have benefited from this Program over the past few years. Using those same trails, the Foundation is starting the Anwatin Ski Team this year.
The 2005 event was tough for the Foundation. Three 50+ degree days in a row on the Thursday-Friday-Saturday before the event led to the cancellation of the REI Tour and the 35 kilometer events. Re-grouping in the spring of 2005, the organization began working in earnest on snowmaking options. A dedicated new group of volunteers began raising money to make the plan for snowmaking at Wirth Park a reality. In that first year the organization raised more than $50,000 and helped the Park Board achieve snowmaking capability by purchasing a mobile booster pump and helping the Park Board coordinate the laying of water pipes and the purchase of a Pisten Bully and snow guns.
The 2006 Loppet was a nail-biter. Another warm spell came, this year one week before the event. After a one- to two-inch snowfall, the course crew led a miraculous effort to save the race. Between 300 and 400 volunteers helped shovel in the trails. By race day the course was skiable, if thin in places.
The organization continues to work on snowmaking at Wirth Park, programming for kids and, of course, the City of Lakes Loppet. The organization's formula for success includes dedicated volunteers, Loppet registrations, memberships, individual contributions and sponsors, all of whom help the organization pay the bills year after year...
Contacts
1301 Theodore Wirth ParkwayPhone:
Minneapolis, MN 55422
612 604-5330John Munger - Executive Director - director@cityoflakesloppet.com
612 604-5338 (fax)
Amy Wyman - Coordinator - Amy@cityoflakesloppet.com
Ben Kremer - Webmaster - www.kremerdesign.com
