OakParkSkiClub.org
Title
Oak Park Ski Club
Description
In September of 1955, a group of about 16 people who were ardent skiers, decided to form a ski club. Their aim was to encourage the sport of skiing and provide economical ski trips through group participation. With arrangements made through Oak Park YMCA, a meeting place was established and the club officially opened to the public to attract new members.
By the end of December, 1955, the club had grown to about 74 members and Ian Harker was elected as the club's inaugural President. The first organized ski trip was planned for New Year's 1956, and this was a trip by train to Iron Mountain Michigan. This trip proved to be highly successful in the number of members participating, considering the short period of time that had passed since the club had been established.
In 1956, the club increased its membership to over 300, and was incorporated as a non-profit organization, within the state of Illinois. With the increase in membership it was necessary to find larger accommodations, and the club moved its meeting to the Oak Park Masonic Hall, where it remained for several years. In the spring of 1957, the club sponsored its first western trip by train to Sun Valley, Idaho, and it, too, was a huge success.
