BY-LAWS
Click here to view the by-laws.
About Us
The origins of our club go back to 1972, when an avid group of local snowmobilers decided to form a club. The purpose of the club would be to promote the sport of snowmobiling, to cooperate and coordinate with other winter sports enthusiasts and to work with law enforcement agencies and offer emergency services if needed. They called the club the Grand Lake Snow Dreamers.
Winters in the early to mid 1970s were perfect for snowmobiling. There was usually a good amount of snow, and the lake would lock in with ice from mid-December until the end of March. It was not unusual to see 200-300 sleds on the lake every weekend. The Grand Lake Snow Dreamers quickly gained in popularity and added lots of members.
Then came the blizzard of 1978. In two days Mercer and the surrounding counties were covered with 8 to 15 foot snow drifts. All roads were closed and power was out to most of the county. The Sheriff’s Department called on the Grand Lake Snow Dreamers for help delivering food and medical supplies to rural families who were completely snowed in. Many club members responded, and at great risk to themselves, made deliveries all over the county. Their help was greatly appreciated by all.
After the blizzard it seemed like everyone wanted a snowmobile. Sales boomed and so did the club’s membership. By the mid to late eighties the club had 175 families as members. We were all about having fun. We held a Pig Roast in June, a Corn Roast in August and a Chili Cook in March. Every year we sent a large group to the Ohio State Snowmobile Association Banquet and Snow Show. A large group rented a 27 room lodge at Houghton Lake, MI. in January for a week of snowmobiling. We raffled off a snowmobile every year and gave away our excess funds to charity.
In the early 1990’s the winter weather in the area changed. We didn’t get as much snow and the riding season on the lake ice was greatly shortened. In some winters, it was non-existent. By the late 1990’s, club membership dropped dramatically. Some older members quit riding, some rode in Michigan only, and younger members just lost interest.
By 2006 the club was down to a core group of only 30 families. We knew that in order to save the club, a drastic change was needed. The club name was changed to the Grand Lake Recreation Club (GLRC). Instead of focusing on just being a snowmobile club, we now welcome boaters, ATV/motorcycle riders, snowmobilers, cyclists, golfers, and anyone who enjoys outdoor recreation of any kind.
We are still all about having fun! We meet monthly, alternating between all of the establishments on the lake to lend our support and thank them for theirs. We put on an annual Bicycle Poker Run along the Southwest section of the lake. Our membership is currently at almost 200 families and businesses.
The GLRC is a major advocate for safety for all recreational activities on and around our Grand Lake. In 2014 the GLRC along with various donors placed 300 tons of rock and 18 yards of concrete to support an oil derrick replica on the lake. The replica also holds a safety light that can be seen from anywhere on the open lake and has become a major navigational point for safe nighttime travel.
The GLRC, with the support of donations from the Trevor Mobley Foundation, has purchased and maintained $60,000+ worth of safety items\lights around the lake, including the 50+ safety lights and 21+ illuminated channel buoys., and have made numerous contributions to local fire departments to help them purchase rescue equipment. This year GLRC has also invested $2,500 into the maintenance fund of the bike paths around the lake.
We are currently working with the Lake Improvement Association to build a shelter house and fenced-in playground area at the West Bank ADA fishing dock that was installed this year to make recreational activities available for all!
GLRC members can often be seen pulling floating logs or other forms of hazards on the lake or channels, cleaning and promoting beaches around the lake, or working on other various projects around the lake with the famous ”Log Dog” quad-toon.
Officers
President: Brad Fisher
Vice President: Keith Seitz
Treasurer: Kim Swick
Secretary: Amy Ruane
3 year Trustee: Paul Dircksen (until 2027)
2 year Trustee: Mike Metz (until 2026)
1 year Trustee: Luke Ruane (until 2025)