Friends of Fort George and Buckingham House provincial historic site, volunteers from the Riverland Recreational Trail Society and other community volunteers agreed last Tuesday that the show – in this case, the Fourth Annual Riverland Adventure Challenge – must go on, and will go on May 28 as planned, complete with its canoeing, running and biking components.
The departure of challenge organizer Sheila Thompson and her husband, volunteer Jim Hawkins from the Elk Point area, along with news that several previous volunteers would not be available to help that day, had the Friends wondering if they would be able to fill the big gaps. However, by the end of the well-attended meeting, where volunteers were quick to offer their assistance with various details of the event, the Friends are confident that planning is back on track, and all events will be a go.
Elk Point RCMP have volunteered their assistance with safety checks of canoeing equipment and with traffic control, Elk Point’s recreation director Valerie Lazicki will lend a hand with many aspects of the event, and Marianne Price will update the website and process registrations through her office.
In the weeks before the event takes place, the organizers will face their own challenges: to find sponsors and prize donors, to finalize 101 details, and, what may prove to be a major challenge, to track down a timing system to clock the participants from the time they set off down the North Saskatchewan River until they pedal their bikes across the finish line. Anyone wishing to join the volunteer roster for the event, or anyone knowing he whereabouts of an appropriate timing system can call Valerie at 780-724-4552.