Community Comes Together to Build Nordic Ski Team a "New" Track

January 19, 2011

Simley's Nordic Ski Team has been skiing rather smoothly this winter thanks in large part to a strong community effort to get the team a proper groomer.

The High School purchased a groomer last year via capital outlay, but the team still needed a snowmobile containing proper gearing and cooling to pull it.

One of the team's coaches, Heath Anderson, said that students raised money last year through a skiathon and cookie dough fundraiser. Parents also made donations to help chip in. Charles Homme, owner of ByteSpeed®, gave the team a generous $2,000 corporate donation.

"Danner Sales found us a quality sled," said Anderson. "They gave us an outstanding price and unmatched service."

This is the first year the team has been able to groom the course with its own equipment.

The Nordic Ski Team competes at away venues approximately once or twice per week. Anderson said that he hopes Simley's improved course will allow the school to host meets in future years.

"I'm proud to see student, parent, local business, corporate and district efforts improve our work with students," said Anderson. "In addition to benefiting our Nordic Ski team, our course is being used by community skiers and by elementary-aged children involved in the Minnesota Youth Ski League."

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