Teens, first responders, and volunteers joined together on Apr. 28 at the Rural Living Expo and Trade Show to build four bicycles in a team challenge environment that proved to be a fun and rewarding event for all concerned.
Expo manager, Jill Hayward, initially launched the challenge idea, and thanks to a grant for $500 from the 911 Golf Tournament, as well as two $100 donations from Bill Kershaw and Bill Humphreys, this first time event became a reality.
“We had enough funding to purchase four BMX bikes and helmets,” said Hayward, “Then, with the help of bike challenge organizer Dan Sweetnam and his family, the RCMP, a firefighter, a council member, volunteers, and area teens, we ended up with a great event that we will definitely be recreating again next year.”
Hayward said each team had four members which included one or two teenagers, and one or two first responders. Each team member had a specific job to complete (some under blindfolds), construction of the bicycles was timed and scrutinized by judges, and each bicycle had to be test ridden by a team member completing a short course outside. After the event, all of the bicycles, after being checked out, are to be awarded to area youth.
“We wanted the challenge to not only be about team building between teens and the community, but to benefit our youngsters as well,” said Hayward, “Organizers, team members, and spectators had a lot of fun with this event, there’s no reason why we can’t bring it back in 2014.”