Need someone in the Grand Rapids area

[Ron Olson]

I went to the LHS yesterday and while there was talking ot one of the employees there. He told me that the RC car club there in the old Dry Land Marina building got an OK to use the pond next to thier track and wants to try to get some boat racing going on.

As a few of you might remember, several of us had met with them once before. I really hate to make the drive up there again to see if I'm chasing another dead end.

Is anyone willing to check this out?

It's the building 4 miles west of US-131 off 28th Street past the Chicago Drive overpass on the north side if you don't know where it was. I think that it's the Great Lakes Racers club. Possibly the LHS's up there know who to contact, Rider's or Hobby World.

 

[waltr]

Ron,

I can make a few calls and check it out.

I'll drive up there to see how big it is too.Probably won't be till Saturday. I'll keep ya posted.

 

[waltr]

Ron,

I just made a few phone calls and found out it's the Battle Front Gaming and R/C Club.

There # is 616-706 0391. I just tried to call them,but no answer.I'll try them again this eve.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[Ron Olson]

I might still have a shot of the pond in the gallery. The only problem place would be off where turn 3 would be as there is a mound of rocks there. On the west side of the pond is a trailer park but other than that, it's industrial. What would be the side that we'd run on has a hill overlooking the pond, nice for spectators yet boaters wouldn't have any problem getting to the water.

 

[waltr]

Ron,

I just pulled it up on Mapquest. Do you think it might be Porter lake?

 

[Ron Olson]

Walt, I don't know the name of it. It's west of Chicago Drive off 28th and there is a small river/outlet at the NW corner. I remember seeing a train trestle over the river. It's a privately owned by a gravel company according to the signs around it.

I'm trying to remember who all were there the day that we checked it out the first time. Wade Swatzell, Steve Colby and Scott VanSlooten were 3 of the others.

If you have the Mapquest link yet, toss it to me. I'd know if it was the place or not.

 

[waltr]

Walt, I don't know the name of it. It's west of Chicago Drive off 28th and there is a small river/outlet at the NW corner. I remember seeing a train trestle over the river. It's a privately owned by a gravel company according to the signs around it.I'm trying to remember who all were there the day that we checked it out the first time. Wade Swatzell, Steve Colby and Scott VanSlooten were 3 of the others.

If you have the Mapquest link yet, toss it to me. I'd know if it was the place or not.

Try this:

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searc...mi&zipcode=

Kinda worked,but it didn't accept my zoom.You'll have to zoom to 196,28th and Chicago drive area.It's taged Porter Lake.

 

[Ron Olson]

Found it Walt! It's Sanford Lake on Sanford Drive SW. Try using that and 28th Street for intersections.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formt...mp;address=28th St Sw & Sanford Ave Sw&city=Wyoming&state=MI&zipcode=49418&country=US&geodiff=1

 

[nitronewbie]

Ron or Walt either you you guys know when the club guys are running at the old dry land marina race site. I can stop by and ask some questions. Walt, if you drive up on sat, let me know and I can meet you down there and look at frozen water with you.

 

[Ron Olson]

The last time that I made the trip there, it was on a Saturday. The racers ran in the north side of the building and I think that there was a skating rink on the south side/front entrance. The car racers went in by a dock door on the north side if I remember correctly. Butch Beebe is the one who told me that they were trying to get some boat action going on if that name helps at all but he won't be the contact person.

 

[waltr]

The last time that I made the trip there, it was on a Saturday. The racers ran in the north side of the building and I think that there was a skating rink on the south side/front entrance. The car racers went in by a dock door on the north side if I remember correctly. Butch Beebe is the one who told me that they were trying to get some boat action going on if that name helps at all but he won't be the contact person.

Ron,

I haven't gotten a hold of anyone from the club yet,but I will keep tryin. Looks good.

And John,

I'll keep ya posted. I might take a ride on Saturday if I'm not working.So far no work.

This could be pretty awesome if it works out. It's darn close to me and John, it's almost in your back yard.

 

[waltr]

Gang,

It looks like WE MAY HAVE A POND!!!

And only 25 minutes from my house

I was talking to Jason up there at the Battle Front Gaming and R/C club and Ron, you are correct, they are trying to put this together.

It's supposed to be in a perfect location.

They've been running buggies on there outdoor track for a while.They run gas buggies also. Noise is no issue.They also have the blessing from the city. The pond is owned by a construction company and is private.Yippee!!! They're talking to them now and discussing liability issues(of course) and insurance. But from what I'm told,it all looks promising.

They also have indoor track(s).

They're open from 4-9pm M-F and 10-9 on Saturday.

I'm definitely going up there Saturday.

John,

my buddy works 1/2 day Saturday and we'll come up after that. I'll keep you posted for a definite time,but I'm guessing mid-afternoon.

I've got my fingers crossed.

 

[Ray Sametz]

Gang,It looks like WE MAY HAVE A POND!!!

And only 25 minutes from my house

I was talking to Jason up there at the Battle Front Gaming and R/C club and Ron, you are correct, they are trying to put this together.

It's supposed to be in a perfect location.

They've been running buggies on there outdoor track for a while.They run gas buggies also. Noise is no issue.They also have the blessing from the city. The pond is owned by a construction company and is private.Yippee!!! They're talking to them now and discussing liability issues(of course) and insurance. But from what I'm told,it all looks promising.

They also have indoor track(s).

They're open from 4-9pm M-F and 10-9 on Saturday.

I'm definitely going up there Saturday.

John,

my buddy works 1/2 day Saturday and we'll come up after that. I'll keep you posted for a definite time,but I'm guessing mid-afternoon.

I've got my fingers crossed.

Walt, If I got my lake back 5 min from my house, it would be the best Christmas present ever. Good luck. Ray

 

[waltr]

Gang,It looks like WE MAY HAVE A POND!!!

And only 25 minutes from my house

I was talking to Jason up there at the Battle Front Gaming and R/C club and Ron, you are correct, they are trying to put this together.

It's supposed to be in a perfect location.

They've been running buggies on there outdoor track for a while.They run gas buggies also. Noise is no issue.They also have the blessing from the city. The pond is owned by a construction company and is private.Yippee!!! They're talking to them now and discussing liability issues(of course) and insurance. But from what I'm told,it all looks promising.

They also have indoor track(s).

They're open from 4-9pm M-F and 10-9 on Saturday.

I'm definitely going up there Saturday.

John,

my buddy works 1/2 day Saturday and we'll come up after that. I'll keep you posted for a definite time,but I'm guessing mid-afternoon.

I've got my fingers crossed.

Walt, If I got my lake back 5 min from my house, it would be the best Christmas present ever. Good luck. Ray

Ray,

I hope you get yours back too.

Hey, I grew up in Ortley Beach a bit south of you. Loved it there. My folks still have a summer home there,but I haven't been there for a while.

Have a great Christmas!

 

[nitronewbie]

Walt, let me know if plans work out. I think that I am christmas shopping in the afternoon but I will meet you there if you come up. I may just stop down even if you don't. will let everyone know what I find out

 

[Ron Olson]

Maybe we can move the Fun Run up there next year or hold other exhibition events for them. It's easy to get to directionwise but a longer drive for some out-of-towners that have shown up here in the `Zoo the past 5 years.

If they ever want to hold an IMPBA sanctioned race, I know where I can get at least one starting clock or we can easily go with a CD.

I have Saturday off so if you'd like me to make the drive, I can. It doesn't hurt to drag along a few boats either.

 

[SColby]

I am busy this weekend other wise I could head down. It would be nice to have a place to finally go, meet new people and get the boat hobby growing in this area. Keep us informed on what is going on.

Thanks to all for doing what needs to be done for trying to make this happen.

 

[waltr]

Ron,

I'm definitely going to head up to GR tomorrow to chat with them.

It's only about 25 minutes for me and I'll be there about 2:00. John might meet me up there too.

Ron, you're welcome to come up, or I'll keep ya posted.

But right now,It's up to the construction Co.and the liability factor.

I've also offered to help out with an insurance policy or binder if necessary.I really don't know yet what type on insurance they already have and if it will cover the pond. I'll need to speak to Jason's dad on Saturday for more details.

Scott,

KEEP THOSE FINGERS CROSSED too!

 

[Ron Olson]

Ok Walt, I'll check here in the AM to see what's going on. I was worried about how crappy the weahter was supposed to be up there with all of the car wrecks this morning. The other part of the storm isn't supposed to roll in until late Satuday afternoon.

I've got the IMPBA rulebook in my truck if we need that to show them what's available for insurance, et cetera.

 

[waltr]

Gang,

It looks like we HAVE A POND in Grand Rapids.

We took a ride to GR today and talked to Jason again.

They're really hot on getting something going there.They were racing buggies on dirt,indoors today when I was there.They also race 1/8 scale gas out doors. Noise will NEVER be an issue. It looks like we have the green light now too.

It'll take some cleaning up,and the driving/launching kinda needs some help and some ideas.

It's an old gravel pit from years past with really no beach when the water rises. They're talking about a floating dock to launch from because we're not allowed any permanent structures.

On the bright side, it's plenty big and it's private! No fishing,no nuthin but our boats. And it's big enough for SAW boats too

Here are a few pics I took today:

<a href="https://www.intlwaters.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=937" target="_blank">https://www.intlwaters.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=937</a>

The 1st 3 pics really need to be put together to grasp the actual size (click the + after the file name 1st)