Grand Rapids Pond

[waltr]

Hi Gang,

Thought I'd give an update on the GR site.

Gang..... It's looking good!!!!!!!

A group of us spent the afternoon at the new site in GR. It really looks like this one's a green light.

I'd like to thank Kevin Sheren for taking the time from his very difficult schedule to come down and get us headed in the right direction. Also in advance for his assistance in the future.

Kevin, Thanks!!!

It looks like this is going to be an IMPBA approved pond with IMPBA rules. Yup, noise too! IMPBA memberships will be required to splash a boat. NO EXCEPTIONS! It's an insurance thing.

We're in the process also of forming a club that will be recognized as the Southwest Michigan Model Boat Club. I'll post more about it when things progress further.

There will also be an $8.00 fee to run there for the day. IMPBA Memberships will be checked upon paying the fee. The fee goes to the Battle front R/C and gaming club that pays the rent on the building and pond. That's not a bad deal for $8.00.

Since they'll also be running R/C buggies and trucks there, Radio frequencies will be split to keep disasters from happening. We're trying to get the high numbers for the pond and the low numbers for the land racers. Those of you with Spectrum style radios won't be concerned. I run Futaba PCM, have a ton of radios and not changing now.

We're deffinatly going to need all of the help we can get on cleanup days, so when we're ready to go, come on over and help us make one really great place to run.

I think Ron Olsen will be working on a web site for us also. Thanks Ron!

So, when we know more, you will too.

Thanks everyone for coming out today.

This is going to be AWESOME!!

 

[Ron Olson]

Walt and the others, it was good just seeing all of you who showed up, the excitement level is on high alert around here again!

The site will need a lot more work since that last time that we were up there and will see about getting a site up ASAP.

John would like to have an area racing series there with possibly RTR boats featured, doing something monthly or bi-weekly. We all probably will have our personal wish list for the site.

If a District race is held there, we will have the complete site available to boaters only which would also give us the paved parking lot.

The building is shared with Roller Derby events and there were a lot of women there today for what looked like games there tonight. There's some big women doing that, some the kind that you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley.

Walt, I've still got the Super-Vee 27 Nitro but might be interested in getting a Miss Vegas if we get something rolling with the RTR classes.

Walt had some show & tell goodies along with him, some of which were Andy's new props. Whoever gets them are going to love them! They must weigh less than a gram.

 

[Tony Jacuzzi]

Good for you guys Congratulations..TJ

 

[waltr]

Thanks TJ,

We're pretty excited.

Here is a link to the end of the pond where we're planning a cleanup. pic 4 of 6.

https://www.intlwaters.com/gallery/displayimage...m=937&pos=3

 

[Ron Olson]

I've got some fresh shots that I took this afternoon. All I have to do is get them out of the camera.

 

[Ray Sametz]

It's refreshing to see Model boaters excited about getting a NEW lake, and not a sad story of a club losing one. Good luck with your new GRP. B) B) B) B)

 

[Ron Olson]

I finally just got some shots loaded but has to get rid of some 'puter problems first.

There are a few shots in the IW gallery taken from their outdoor R/C car track's drivers stand.

https://www.intlwaters.com/gallery/displayimage...cat=0&pos=0

 

[Don Ferrette]

I finally just got some shots loaded but has to get rid of some 'puter problems first.There are a few shots in the IW gallery taken from their outdoor R/C car track's drivers stand.

https://www.intlwaters.com/gallery/displayimage...cat=0&pos=0

Looks like it's starting to thaw out on the left side.

 

[Ron Olson]

The pictures don't show it that well but yes, there isn't a lot of ice left on the lake as it is breaking up. With temps getting up in the 50's this week it shouldn't take long before the water is completely open.

 

[Terry Keeley]

Congratulations guys! Always good to hear another club forming, is this it?

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&...039911&z=15

 

[waltr]

Hi Terry,

Yup, that's it. Google or mapquest will also have the aerial view of the pond.

Mapquest looks the best so far.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/Grand+Rapids+...0:::::f:EN:M:/e

We will be using the north end to launch.Behind us is the Gravel co that owns the pond. The north east corner is the building that is the Battle Front R/C club who we're working with.

A brush hog will help big time.

 

[Terry Keeley]

A perfect little site at about 900' long, we've been using Google Earth a bunch in our quest for new water in southern Ontario, the ruler feature works great!

 

[Ron Olson]

The trailer park is now gone also so there are no homes near the site.

 

[Tdevil]

Hey guys. John from BFG here. I can finally join you in posting and work to keep everyone updated as things progress. Jason (my son) and I are equally excited about getting a boat program underway.

I teach for Grand Rapids Public Schools and will have the week of April 7 off for spring break. Hoping to work on our outdoor dirt track, but it should also be a good time to try to meet with the powers that be regarding use of the lake.

I will approach the plant manager for the facility next door with the things we talked about today and work with him to set up meetings with the final decision makers.

Thanks to everyone that came to check things out today. As we work to get things in place, I am sure that there will be something for everyone. We are a 7 day a week facility and want to work to set things up in such a way that you can come out and run anytime it is convenient as well as having organized events (practices and/or club races.)

Our emphasis at BFG is on the fun aspect of the hobbies that we promote as well as working to bring new people into those hobbies.

Thanks again!!!!

John DeMeester

www.battlefrontgaming.com

 

[waltr]

Hi John,

Welcome to I/W.

Thanks for having us up there yesterday. It was a pleasure meeting you and we're deffinatly looking forward to working with you and Jason on this project in the future.

I'll plan on putting some time aside on that april 7th week and I'll let Kevin know also. We should be able to have a few things in place as far as club status and insurance info to present to the powers that be at the gravel co. or all of the info anyway.I know Kevin already started the ball rolling yesterday with the IMPBA.

I'm sure we'll all have a ton of fun out there. A little RTR series will raise some interest for your local racers that already race and be able to keep starter costs down at the same time.

They're quite a few people in the GR area that ran R/C boats in the past, hopefully they/ll find they can do it again too.

Yup, things are lookin up for SW Michigan boating!

Thanks again John!!!

 

[Tdevil]

I really like the idea of a class/series that would get the car racers that we already have involved. I am assuming that an electric class would let them use much of what they have, especially in the way of brushless motors and lipo batteries.

John

 

[Ron Olson]

It should be mentioned that Walt got conned/volunteered into being club president/fearless leader. We're still working on the other posts unless someone did volunteer for them. I would accept something like VP if we need one or if somebody else didn't already take it.

 

[Tdevil]

Sounds like Walt stood still while everyone else took a step backwards.

 

[waltr]

It wasn't that I was too slow or didn't think quick enough to step back wards, It was more like I didn't have a choice :huh:

I was nominated ( more like appointed) by our fearless divisional director.

It's all good!

Lots to be done now. B)

 

[Ron Olson]

You couldn't step backwards if you had the chance, too many people behind you!

Personally, Kevin made the best choice by asking you to lead us and those of us standing behind you will be standing behind you.

Many thanks to Kevin for taking the time to drive over and assist.