Shanine Hermsen cruising the trails in Kamloops, BC. Photo by Dan Barham.
PARTNERSHIP WITH MEC BENEFITS REGIONAL PROGRAMS
LETTER FROM LORA IMBA CANADA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REFLECTS ON IMBA CANADA’S FIFTH YEAR In 2009, IMBA’s Canadian office completed its fifth year of operations, and there’s much to celebrate. It was a record year for financial growth: our national movement saw a 81 percent increase revenue over 2008.* This success can be attributed largely to an influx of new corporate sponsorship, and the addition of a full-time trail specialist staff position which allowed us to take our trail consulting program to a new level. IMBA Canada now reaches 9 provinces and conducts more than 20 IMBA trailbuilding workshops from coast to coast.
IMBA Canada is excited to announce a national partnership agreement with Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) for 2010. The Vancouver-based outdoor gear and clothing retailer has made a generous contribution towards IMBA Canada’s regional office program. Funding will enhance existing offices in British Columbia, Quebec, and Ontario, as well as expand the program to other provinces. Our goal is to have four regional offices up and running in this year, adding a staff position in Alberta for 2010, and eventually expanding to six regional offices by 2012. The Maritimes and Central Canada are next on the list for new offices. THANK YOU ONTARIO!
Despite the struggling economy, the support of IMBA Canada’s individual members remained steady, demonstrating that mountain biking is more than just a trend — it’s a lifestyle that our members are committed to preserving. Together, IMBA Canada and its affiliated clubs create a strong voice for mountain biking. We shape public policy and build remarkable trails across our vast country. I believe that 2010 is going to be an important year for capacity building. IMBA Canada is adding much-needed business systems and technologies that will benefit our clubs, members and partners. We will expand our grassroots support by growing our regional office program, developing the Canadian Regional Leadership Advisory Council program and working by putting a fulltime Canadian Trail Care Crew on the road. It’s interesting to note that IMBA Canada is now in exactly the same position as the US office was at this stage in its development. We are about to launch into a significantly new phase of growth — taking the grassroots start-up organization to a higher level of professionalism. Our national partnerships are leveraging IMBA Canada’s capacity in every way. Inevitably, there will be growing pains and a daunting amount of work to be done, but the end result will be a more solid foundation for the next five years of IMBA Canada. I thank you all, very sincerely, for your support.
Lora Woolner, Executive Director *Financial data for 2009 has yet to be independently audited as of press time.
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Thank you to the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion whose funding supported the creation of two new resources in 2009: The Ontario Mobile Tool Trailer Program, and the IMBA Canada Take a Kid Mountain Biking Program. IMBA Canada relies heavily on grant funding to leverage our resources into tangible benefits for our members. 1 WORLD, 2 WHEELS Thanks to Trek’s 1 World, 2 Wheels program, IMBA Canada was able to build its capacity for trailbuilding and conduct several free workshops for our affiliated groups. Visit 1world2wheels.org to learn more about Trek’s commitment to bicycle advocacy. TRAILS BENEFIT FROM NATIONAL FUNDS The National Trails Coalition received a $25 million dollar investment from the Government of Canada in Budget 2009. Canada’s Economic Action Plan has injected thousands of dollars into nationally important trail systems. IMBA Canada received funding in partnership with the Canmore Nordic Centre to improve the trail system in this iconic Alberta park.
HEARTY THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS CORPORATE SUPPORTERS
For information about how you or your organization can join in support of IMBA Canada’s mission, please contact IMBA Canada’s executive director Lora Woolner by calling 519-208-2820, or by sending a message to lora@imba.com. Axis Gear Company Ltd. BC Bike Race Bike Rossland Bruce County Bugaboos Eyewear Camp Fortune Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park Capilano University: Mountain Bike Operations Program Chico Racing Chicopee Ski And Summer Resort Cobequid Trail Consultants Conservation Halton: Kelso/Hilton Falls/Mountsberg Creative Wheel/La Rocca XC MTB School Cycle Component Network Inc. Decarto Consulting Ltd Devinci Cycles Dirt Series Eskakwa Eco-Adventure Company Geomatics Data Management Inc Hardwood Ski And Bike Hoots B.A. Inter-Mtn Enterprises Inc Loeka Clothing
National Tennis School Norco Products Ltd Northern Mountain Bike Adventures Outdoor Gear Canada Panorama Mountain Village Renegade Cycle Solutions Ryeka Sport Sacred Rides Sentiers Boréals Inc Shimano Canada Single Track Mind Cycles Sir Sam’s Resort Specialized Canada Sustainable Trails Thule Canada Township Of King Transrockies Inc. Trek Canada Twenty4 Sports Valhalla Trails Ltd. Whistler Mountain Bike Park Zeptechniques Mountain Bike Coaching & Instructor Training
Individual donations Individual membership
$17,668 $37,140
CANADIAN DOLLARS FOR CANADIAN TRAILS
TOTAL INCOME FOR 2009: $349,883 CAD
TOTAL EXPENDITURE FOR 2009: $341,393 CAD
Total individual
$54,808
Corporate membership Corporate sponsorship
$19,650 $45,477
Total corporate Grants Trail consulting Products Membership (club, retailer and patrol) Other: $3895 (registrations) + $2746 (freight/shipping)
$65,127 $105,567 $81,903 $25,958 $9877 $6641
Programs: $222,616 (65.2%) Fundraising: $82,827 (24.3%) Administrative: $35,950 (10.53%) total expenditure
OVERALL GROWTH OF IMBA CANADA
2006: $155,000 2007: $158,000 2008: $209,000 2009: $341,393 (63% growth over 2008)
$400,000 $350,000 $300,000 $250,000 $200,000 $150,000 $100,000 ‘06
‘07
’08
‘09
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10 THINGS IMBA CANADA DID FOR MOUNTAIN BIKING IN 2009
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Taught 20 IMBA trailbuilding workshops in 9 provinces, educating more
On the Road in 2010
than 500 people on sustainable trailbuilding practices nationwide.
IMBA CANADA ANNOUNCES CANADIAN TRAIL CARE CREW PROGRAM
Expanded IMBA Canada’s regional offices. We currently have part-time regional staff in BC, Ontario and Quebec, with plans to add more in 2010. Secured new benefits for IMBA Canada members, such as the Canadian Subaru VIP Program, and the addition of individual insurance benefits to the existing IMBA Canada insurance program. Hired a full-time Trails Specialist, allowing significant growth in our on-theground efforts. Hosted the first-ever IMBA Canada Provincial Mountain Bike Summit in Kitchener, Ontario.
Nordic Centre in Canmore, Alberta. IMBA Canada clubs in BC, Ontario and Quebec also received federal money to expand their trails locally.
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Created Canadian publications, like the Take a Kid Mountain Biking
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The Lazaruks will travel across the country in a specially outfitted Subaru Outback, leading trailwork sessions, meeting with land managers and working with IMBA-affiliated clubs and other partners to improve trail opportunities Canada-wide. The 2010 building season will kick-off Canada Day weekend and will run until mid-December.
Secured Federal Infrastructure Funding for trail expansion at the Canmore
Signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Capital
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New for 2010, IMBA’s Canadian office is excited to welcome Chad and Deanne Lazaruk as the first ever IMBA Canada Trail Care Crew! With over a decade of mountain biking and trails experience, the couple brings a broad set of skills to IMBA Canada’s newest program.
Commission in Ottawa, enabling further collaboration with regards to trails planning, rehabilitation, management and use in Gatineau Park.
Guide and the ADSVMQ’s Guide d’aménagement de sentier de vélo de montagne. Launched the Ontario Tool Trailer program with funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion, resulting in more trails on the ground and free tools for use by IMBA clubs. Provided assistance that has carved the way for new bike parks in urban areas.
Coordinating the Canadian Trail Care Crew program is Rachael Raven, IMBA Canada’s communications coordinator. For additional information on the program, including the 2010 schedule, contact Rachael at Rachael.raven@ imba.com. Check back soon for event details and the launching of a new IMBA Canada Trail Care Crew webpage.