Wanted: Ironman volunteers
BILL BULEY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 13 years, 9 months AGO
Bill Buley covers the city of Coeur d'Alene for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He has worked here since January 2020, after spending seven years on Kauai as editor-in-chief of The Garden Island newspaper. He enjoys running. | April 11, 2011 9:00 PM
COEUR d'ALENE - Michelle Haustein wants to hear from you.
And you. And you. And you.
All told, Haustein wants to hear from at least 3,500 folks willing to volunteer on June 26 for the Ford Ironman Coeur d'Alene.
Based on history, she will.
"We have an wonderful community for that," said Haustein, volunteer director with World Triathlon Corp.
Each year, since Ironman Coeur d'Alene started in 2003, the community has earned applause and thanks for the spirit of its volunteers, who turn out by the thousands to cheer on athletes and help them reach the finish line by midnight.
They peel off wetsuits, mark numbers on legs and arms, hand out water and sports drinks at aid stations, clean up and take down, and maintain order on the course.
It's hoped they'll do the same this year. Athletes and organizers are counting on them. They've said it before and they'll say it again - Ironman could not go on without the volunteers.
"We have the most amazing community support out of any Ironman in the country," Haustein said.
She has one concern. Ironman and Hoopfest in Spokane fall on the same weekend. So, many kids and adults who would have volunteered for Ironman opt to play basketball instead, and family members go along to watch them.
With a field of about 2,500 athletes, around 3,500 volunteers are needed. Already, about 1,100 have signed up, and the coveted roles of body markers and wetsuit peelers are filled.
Haustein said she still has two openings for nonprofits that want to organize a team of volunteers for an aid station, and in exchange for their dedication and hard work, Ironman will donate money to their cause.
This year, all told, World Triathlon Corp. will give about $50,000 to Coeur d'Alene, with $10,000 to the Kroc Center, $25,000 to volunteer groups on race day, and $15,000 for allocation by the city to nonprofit youth groups.
"Ironman gives back," Haustein said.
Volunteers are also honored each year with a banquet the day after the race. They receive dinner, prizes and praise. Haustein said new this year, all volunteers who attend the banquet will receive a goody bag, and Ironman is seeking donations from businesses so it can offer bigger prizes.
"We want to take care of our volunteers," Haustein said.
Information: www.ironmancda.com
ARTICLES BY BILL BULEY
Coeur d'Alene Historic Preservation Commission chair: 'An unfortunate incident'
Fire department trains on older home targeted for demolition before review hearing takes place
The City Council in November adopted a new section in the Historic Preservation Code creating a demolition review process for historic residential and commercial structures built before 1960.
Coeur d'Alene fire department damages historic home before preservation committee review
Older home inadvertently used for fire department training before Historic Preservation Commission review
“Unfortunately, the property owner granted permission to the Fire Department to conduct their training activities prior to the review and even though the demolition permit had not been issued,” a fire department press release said. “The Fire Department was not aware of the demolition review meeting scheduled for the subject property.”
Police eye designs for new building
Captain says operations have been maintained since last year's fire
The new police building will have a sprinkler system, which its predecessor did not because when it was acquired in 2016, it wasn't required that it have a sprinkler system as it was predominately used for storage.