The 1st Ponoka Traditional Scouting group is excited to be receiving a new pine car track in the coming weeks and is organizing a pine car rally to celebrate.
The track, which is being built and donated by a local business person that wishes to remain anonymous, is supposed to be ready in two or three weeks, said group scout master Maurice Mazurat.
The new track will be 50-feet of aluminum and include four lanes and timers accurate to a hundredth of a second.
"I'm quite anxious to see it," said Mazurat.
"The track came up as a surprise for us ... a good surprise."
The track represents a significant contribution to the group, as they're typically manufactured in the United States and one with the same features could run as high as $3,000, said Mazurat.
It also means the scouting group will be able to host their own pine car rallies rather than just attending other club's events. They have an old track but they've never been able to get it to work very well, he said.
Their first rally is planned for April 26. So far, clubs from Edmonton and Camrose have confirmed their attendance.
Pine car racing is a long-held scouting tradition. The kids get a block of pine wood and craft their own cars, racing them to see who successfully designed the fastest one.
1st Ponoka Traditional Scouting's older group makes semi trucks out of their pine blocks.
The track will also be suitable for racing Hot Wheels and Lego cars, so they're looking forward to that as well, said Mazurat.
The club's membership numbers are starting to revive post COVID.
In their five to seven year-old group, the Otters, they have 12 members.
There are currently eight Timber Wolves (eight to 10), and four Explorers (10 to 18).
Each scouting group meets once a week at the Baden Powell Adventure Centre located at 3924 46a St.
The Otters meet on Mondays, the Timber Wolves on Tuesdays and the Explorers on Thursdays.
For more information about 1st Ponoka Traditional Scouting, find them on Facebook or call 403-783-0703.
