SFR has a new dedicated autox site on a long term lease.

[Reijo]

San Francisco Region has done good!    Check this out:

http://www.sfrautox.com/?page_id=1169

R

[Dr Dave]

I've brought this up elsewhere in years past, I've been involved in Auto-X since 1980 and have seen many venues lost and the struggle to get new ones. Clubs in AB should be set up as non-profit societies, and be taking advantage of running casino's as well as raising money on their own like the SF region, so that eventually clubs can buy land and build their own Auto-X sites. Right now Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary all have good sites, so now is really the time to prepare fore the future. IMHO.

[Reijo]

I've brought this up elsewhere in years past, I've been involved in Auto-X since 1980 and have seen many venues lost and the struggle to get new ones. Clubs in AB should be set up as non-profit societies, and be taking advantage of running casino's as well as raising money on their own like the SF region, so that eventually clubs can buy land and build their own Auto-X sites. Right now Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary all have good sites, so now is really the time to prepare fore the future. IMHO.

FYI:  I believe all the solo clubs are registered non-profit societies in Alberta ... It is a requirement of WCMA and ASN Canada.

CalClub/Los Angeles also has a fund just like SFR .... They also put away $5 per entry for a future land purchase ... because, from what I heard, they are anticipating the day when they can no longer rent venues.

So, I agree with you ... we should be heading down this road also.

Reijo

[rairdan93]

That would be awesome to have a dedicated spot eventually! Crunching the numbers using rough estimates shows me we would definitely have to do something more than just put $5 away from each entry fee if we want to potentially see this in our lifetime.  Unless we got lucky and did a partnership deal like the SFR did. My minor hockey worked at a casino one year in Red Deer.  They made over 40k over 2 days if I remember correct! I don't think there was more than 40 volunteers involved. Heard it wasn't very enjoyable for most but in the end I believe it is worth it!  I'm down for volunteering to work at a casino.

(I was quoted $3-$5 a square foot to pave a parking lot  x   43560 square feet to an ace  x  15+ acre lot. That works out to be a lot of money and that doesn't include the land. Might have to take $.10 from every entry fee and buy lottery tickets.  Anything can happen!)

I've brought this up elsewhere in years past, I've been involved in Auto-X since 1980 and have seen many venues lost and the struggle to get new ones. Clubs in AB should be set up as non-profit societies, and be taking advantage of running casino's as well as raising money on their own like the SF region, so that eventually clubs can buy land and build their own Auto-X sites. Right now Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary all have good sites, so now is really the time to prepare fore the future. IMHO.

I personally am not a huge fan of the Red Deer spot and wouldn't consider it a good site. But its better than nothing.  I'm at the point where I avoid it if possible.  The surface seems to be deteriorating faster and faster every year and it eats tires faster compared to other venues.  I heard if the Westerner resurfaces that lot there will be no more autocross there.  The clubs racing in Red Deer might be in a tight spot in a few years if they can't find another location.  Too bad cross roads church didn't last longer for the RDSCC.  Wasn't the best but better than the westerner IMO.  I also heard a rumor last year that the EIA wants to expand and Castrol might be gone in 2020.  Seems really hard to believe but anything is possible this day and age.  Just have to pray YYC and Fort Macleod lasts for many more years.  I'm very excited to find out about a new potential spot the club was looking into!  Thanks again to all the individuals that get us these locations!

[PedalFaster]

I recognize this idea would have its challenges since it would involve a third party, but I wonder if a more economical approach would be paying to improve and expand Fort Macleod, the Beiseker Airport, or even the Westerner lot, in exchange for rights to use the lot at discounted rates for some period of time.

Imagine the possibilities if, for example, we filled in the gap in Fort Macleod's concrete:

[nnywg]

Something to consider regarding owning our own space would be frequency of use.  IMO, it would need to be based in Calgary in order to run weekly+ events, therefore bringing more substantial revenues to pay for it.  Calgary has the population to support this; and enough varied car clubs outside of our own to run additional special events. 

If I were a gambling man, I'd say our best bet would be Tsuu T'ina.  They're in development mode, on the ring road, and not subject to Calgary's bylaws (noise) or seemingly endless supply of  NIMBYs.

[Tara]

Buying land is always the best move... although anything within the City limits is $$$$$.
For example, expect around ~$23M for the budget lot we currently rent.

[Dr Dave]

As someone mentioned in an earlier post, partnering up with someone like SFR did is likely the best approach. Where the club provides something of value that the other party can also use. That could be taxi space, parking space at an airport, or perhaps a bldg - whatever, if the partner has the pavement already, but thye need something else they can't afford or justify, but would really like to have. Use that partnership to gain x number of days access, might also involve helping with a share of future taxes and maintenance. There are few small rural airports around Calgary that might be interested.

On another note, I have worked a few Casino's over the years and I found all them to be a good time. You do have to do some work and you're really busy at times, but it comes down to what you and your co-workers make of it. I'd bet being with fellow AutoXer's working a Casino would be a fun time for most. Lastly there are restrictions around what you can do with Casino money, I don't believe saving it up for 10 years is an option, so having a partner would make spending the money within the required time period easier, and it would likely take some creativity (to keep everything legal). Where there's a will there's way!

[Myz]

Lastly there are restrictions around what you can do with Casino money, I don't believe saving it up for 10 years is an option, so having a partner would make spending the money within the required time period easier, and it would likely take some creativity (to keep everything legal). Where there's a will there's way!

I'm not entirely familiar with working in Casinos & restrictions on income from these jobs but it sounds like its frowned upon or forbidden.
Is employment at these casino's considered illegal for the average citizen?

[rairdan93]

As someone mentioned in an earlier post, partnering up with someone like SFR did is likely the best approach. Where the club provides something of value that the other party can also use. That could be taxi space, parking space at an airport, or perhaps a bldg - whatever, if the partner has the pavement already, but thye need something else they can't afford or justify, but would really like to have. Use that partnership to gain x number of days access, might also involve helping with a share of future taxes and maintenance. There are few small rural airports around Calgary that might be interested.

On another note, I have worked a few Casino's over the years and I found all them to be a good time. You do have to do some work and you're really busy at times, but it comes down to what you and your co-workers make of it. I'd bet being with fellow AutoXer's working a Casino would be a fun time for most. Lastly there are restrictions around what you can do with Casino money, I don't believe saving it up for 10 years is an option, so having a partner would make spending the money within the required time period easier, and it would likely take some creativity (to keep everything legal). Where there's a will there's way!

From what I've found on the internet you are right about not being able to save up the casino earnings over a long period of time.  Looks like they have to be used within 24 months with extensions available.  The casino money can be used to pay for renting the parking lots, paying for insurance and equipment I believe.  Which in turn would allow us to save the clubs money that would normally be used to pay for all that. Not 100% sure on all that but that's what I've found on the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission site.  Just have to be honest with what we plan on doing with the money when getting approval from the AGLC. That way we don't get in trouble in the future and have to pay it all back.   

[JCS]

I recognize this idea would have its challenges since it would involve a third party, but I wonder if a more economical approach would be paying to improve and expand Fort Macleod, the Beiseker Airport, or even the Westerner lot, in exchange for rights to use the lot at discounted rates for some period of time.

Imagine the possibilities if, for example, we filled in the gap in Fort Macleod's concrete:

This would be awesome