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Kamsack man named SPRA’s volunteer of the year for his work with the annual Duck Mountain Loppet

The man who has been the backbone, if not the heart and soul of the annual Duck Mountain Loppet for the past 37 years was presented with the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association’s (SPRA) award for volunteer of the year.
volunteer of the year
Bruno Lemire of Kamsack, who was instrumental in establishing the Duck Mountain Loppet 37 years ago and has been a part of the annual event ever since, was presented with the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association’s award for volunteer of the year by Dawna Nielson, SPRA president, during a reception in Regina on October 28.

            The man who has been the backbone, if not the heart and soul of the annual Duck Mountain Loppet for the past 37 years was presented with the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association’s (SPRA) award for volunteer of the year.

            Bruno Lemire of Kamsack received the award from Dawna Nielson, SPRA president, during a gala event at the Delta Hotel in the Saskatchewan Trade and Convention Centre in Regina on October 28.

            “We paid tribute to exceptional individuals and community groups for their outstanding contributions to Saskatchewan’s growing parks and recreation sector,” said a release from SPRA.

            “The annual Duck Mountain cross-country skiing Loppet is one of the most successful winter events not only in the Parkland Valley district but across the whole province,” Kev Sumner, Kamsack recreation director, said in a nominating letter to the SPRA. “If you were to survey the Nordic and cross-country skiing clubs in Saskatchewan to ask where they would find the best event, Kamsack would be high, if not on top of the list and it is all thanks to Bruno Lemire.”

            Sumner explained that Lemire had established the event in 1979 and for the past 37 years he has continued to develop the event into what it has become.

            “If you need to know anything about the Loppet, you ask Bruno; if you need to know how many times a skier has participated, you ask Bruno; if you need to know the length or direction of any of the trails, you ask Bruno,” Sumner said. “With the help of his old Apple 2 computer he has recorded every skier’s distances and how often each has skied.”

            Lemire assisted the provincial park in developing the network of trails, which currently has six different routes ranging from five to 45 kilometres, he said. He monitors each of the six shelters for damage throughout the year and works closely with the provincial park staff in grooming and signing the trails in preparation for the Loppet each February.

            Although Lemire’s “aching” knees no longer allow him to participate in the Loppet, he, at 81, still manages the efforts of the volunteers at the registration shelter where he meets his peers who enjoy seeing him, sharing stories of years gone by and relating to how well they enjoy attending the event, he said.

            “One of the biggest challenges we have not only in Kamsack but in society is making sure there is a legacy of sport, recreation and culture available to all members of the community, both young and old,” he said. “Bruno is constantly trying to achieve this. He invites the local elementary and high school students to attend the Loppet as well as the three local first Nation communities that neighbor Kamsack. He sets up an annual competition at the Loppet for ‘jack rabbits,’ who are under 12 years of age in order to find as many of his wooden cut-out animals that he had set along the first three kilometres of the trail.

            “Lemire deserves this award on so many levels,” Sumner said. “He has volunteered his time, passion and energy to the sport of cross-country skiing for the last 37 years and would be embarrassed to read the letters of support that have been provided by members of the ski community.

“He is a very humble man whose contributions to the community can never be measured.”

“Bruno helped plan some of the ski trails at the park and was instrumental in the building of the Rundle Lake shelter and probably had input in the other shelters that were placed or built along the ski trails,” said Sharon Rudy, membership chair of the Kamsack Ski Club. “Bruno has also offered cross-country ski lessons in the past years to new skiers. He promotes cross-country skiing to everyone, especially for the children in the schools.

“Bruno also has a love for animals and birds,” Rudy said. “He made his own animals and birds out of wood and has painted them to look real. He hides them in the trees along the ski trails or makes a trail off the ski trail. We refer to the trail as ‘Bruno’s nature trail.’ He usually moves the trail location every year and has a contest for the children to see who can find the most animals and birds.

“You could not find a more dedicated man who is passionate to the sport of cross-country skiing,” she said. “This passion and dedication led to the development of the annual Duck Mountain Loppet, which he has faithfully organized for the past 37 years.”

“(Lemire’s) dedication to the Loppet is infectious and it shows through in the care and attention to detail, to be sure that all the needs of the participants have been met,” said Teesha Klochko-Ries, a Loppet volunteer.

“Bruno is already planning the 38th annual Duck Mountain Loppet which will be held on February 25,” Sumner said.