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N E W S St. Germain, WI…………….The Board of Directors of the SNOWMOBILE HALL OF FAME (SHOF) announced the donation of a major fund raising challenge gift for the museum building fund. The SHOF operates a year around museum, gift shop, library and Hall of Fame in the popular resort area of Northern Wisconsin. Board President Loren Anderson said “This is the big push we have been hoping for. Our facility is jammed to the rafters and we need to expand.” Founding board member, Mike Trapp of Woodruff, WI said: “The Warning family of New Lenox, Illinois made this gift possible. They are a snowmobiling family that appreciates the work being done here in Northern Wisconsin to preserve and showcase the sport. We appreciate their generosity and their loyal support.” The SHOF has all of its operations at the Hwy 70 West location including the administrative offices and restoration shop area. Vice President of the Board, Olav Aaen of Racine, WI said: “The Hall of Fame is the sports number one museum. The collection found in the St. Germain facility is the finest anywhere and the list of SHOF inductees reads like the who’s who of the sport. It is great to see the tremendous progress that has been made over the last few years.” The SHOF dream started in 1982. Formal organizational meetings took place in 1983 and the first fund raising RIDE WITH THE CHAMPS took place in 1984. Since the first museum opened in 1988, the HOF has been in several rented locations. Land was donated for a new facility several years ago and this new challenge gift will make a new building a possibility in the next year. Every dollar donated to the building fund will be matched through the challenge gift up to $100,000.00. That means your donation is doubled. The SHOF asks supporters to check their own companies and employers about matching donations at the local level as well. Phase 1 of the building expansion will include museum space, gift shop and offices. Phase 2 will include the “great hall”, an expanded gift shop, lobby, theater and themed restaurant. Phase 1 is a $330,000 project. Some $90,000 has been completed and it includes land, site preparation, roads, utilities and drawings. Long-range plans for the site include motel, storage facility for sled-heads and other snowmobile related commercial businesses. The total acreage could expand to some 20 acres of the beautiful wooded campus. For matching fund donations contact the SHOF office at 715 542-4488 or loren@snowmobilehalloffame.com. The SHOF web site has additional information about the HOF including extensive photos of the museum collection, the Classic Sled Roundup on Memorial Day, the RIDE WITH THE CHAMPS and other events. The BUILDING page on the web site has information about different giving levels for the project. From $100,000 naming rights levels to smaller contributions, there is a giving level to meet the requirements of every family, business or trust In-kind contributions like building materials, furniture, equipment and labor are also possible. Call the office to customize a donation package to meet your needs. |