Town revs up for Canadian Bike Building Championship
Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 4:29 am
Town revs up for Canadian Bike Building Championship
Tuesday October 24, 2006 - by Post staff - Fair View Post - fairviewpost.com/
Renee Charbonneau, also known as Belt Drive Betty, appeared as a delegation before Fairview town council last Tuesday.
Charbonneau presented council with the opportunity for Fairview to host the 2007 Canadian Bike Building Championship as well as the motorcycle trade show.
She explained that she was the show’s event coordinator and she hosted this event last year in Wembley and it drew 11,000 visitors, many of them ardent motorcycle fans. She noted that there were no reports of speeding or stunting, “nobody misbehaving.”
“NAIT said, ‘we want the trade show in Fairview and asked ‘What do we have to do?’” said Charbonneau.
She explained to council that if the biker event was hosted by Fairview she and the event would need a network of volunteers to handle the large volume and people and the events that would happening over the two-day show. She also said she needed a commitment from the town, that attendees would find a, “biker friendly community.
Her explanation of the scope of the event was that it is tremendous as in addition to the large number of visitors there would also be massive media coverage that would garner significant, positive awareness of Fairview.
According to Charbonneau the custom bike builders in the competition come from all across Canada and would include a number of world class champions.
She pointed out that international media from Europe and North America would have a large presence at the show.
Charbonneau also noted that the major sponsors are already in place. She suggested the either the May or the July long weekend be a date for the show, but that the July weekend would be a preference. “Canada Day in the Heart of Canadian biking – makes real good sense,” she commented.
She noted that the number of bikers attending the event will bring a similar number of bikes that can be loud.
When asked if the show bikes were in running order she said that all of the bikes have to be brought into the display area under their own power.
Regarding the town’s commitment she said she would need help with such things as barricades and building ramps for the extreme bike jumping, marketing both her and the town agree with. Belt Drive Betty also noted that she would need assistance with such things as parking and security.
“I want your community to be part of this,” she said and explained the average person spends between $700 – 1,000 over the weekend.
She pointed out that NAIT had agreed to allow access to certain buildings but most of the events will be held on the grounds outside because of the noise and fumes.
She suggested a meeting involving the chamber of commerce and community service clubs would be the best way to get everyone organized and figure out responsibilities.
Charbonneau stated that she would like to see this as the start of an event that would be the Canadian version of the motorcycle gathering at Sturgis, South Dakota that is expected to draw nearly a half a million visitors to this year’s motorcycle rally.
She noted that time was quickly passing and indicated that in order to put on a great event, notices have to be sent out to ensure everyone interested can schedule the weekend in.
She indicated that if council decides to host the event that all concerned, including the RCMP, would have to get on board to welcome a bike-orientated event to Fairview.
After her presentation mayor Nicholson said that if NAIT is excited about the opportunity to host the event and it will help the campus, “maybe we should get behind this.”
Council voted to pursue in principle hosting the 2007 Bike Building Championship.
Nicholson indicated that such an event could be a good thing in that it would bring lots of tourists and put Fairview’s name on the map.
Tuesday October 24, 2006 - by Post staff - Fair View Post - fairviewpost.com/
Renee Charbonneau, also known as Belt Drive Betty, appeared as a delegation before Fairview town council last Tuesday.
Charbonneau presented council with the opportunity for Fairview to host the 2007 Canadian Bike Building Championship as well as the motorcycle trade show.
She explained that she was the show’s event coordinator and she hosted this event last year in Wembley and it drew 11,000 visitors, many of them ardent motorcycle fans. She noted that there were no reports of speeding or stunting, “nobody misbehaving.”
“NAIT said, ‘we want the trade show in Fairview and asked ‘What do we have to do?’” said Charbonneau.
She explained to council that if the biker event was hosted by Fairview she and the event would need a network of volunteers to handle the large volume and people and the events that would happening over the two-day show. She also said she needed a commitment from the town, that attendees would find a, “biker friendly community.
Her explanation of the scope of the event was that it is tremendous as in addition to the large number of visitors there would also be massive media coverage that would garner significant, positive awareness of Fairview.
According to Charbonneau the custom bike builders in the competition come from all across Canada and would include a number of world class champions.
She pointed out that international media from Europe and North America would have a large presence at the show.
Charbonneau also noted that the major sponsors are already in place. She suggested the either the May or the July long weekend be a date for the show, but that the July weekend would be a preference. “Canada Day in the Heart of Canadian biking – makes real good sense,” she commented.
She noted that the number of bikers attending the event will bring a similar number of bikes that can be loud.
When asked if the show bikes were in running order she said that all of the bikes have to be brought into the display area under their own power.
Regarding the town’s commitment she said she would need help with such things as barricades and building ramps for the extreme bike jumping, marketing both her and the town agree with. Belt Drive Betty also noted that she would need assistance with such things as parking and security.
“I want your community to be part of this,” she said and explained the average person spends between $700 – 1,000 over the weekend.
She pointed out that NAIT had agreed to allow access to certain buildings but most of the events will be held on the grounds outside because of the noise and fumes.
She suggested a meeting involving the chamber of commerce and community service clubs would be the best way to get everyone organized and figure out responsibilities.
Charbonneau stated that she would like to see this as the start of an event that would be the Canadian version of the motorcycle gathering at Sturgis, South Dakota that is expected to draw nearly a half a million visitors to this year’s motorcycle rally.
She noted that time was quickly passing and indicated that in order to put on a great event, notices have to be sent out to ensure everyone interested can schedule the weekend in.
She indicated that if council decides to host the event that all concerned, including the RCMP, would have to get on board to welcome a bike-orientated event to Fairview.
After her presentation mayor Nicholson said that if NAIT is excited about the opportunity to host the event and it will help the campus, “maybe we should get behind this.”
Council voted to pursue in principle hosting the 2007 Bike Building Championship.
Nicholson indicated that such an event could be a good thing in that it would bring lots of tourists and put Fairview’s name on the map.