Hi all,
I am a newbie here, but have seen many of you on the airstrips and trails in ID and MT. I thought I would give a prelim message for you to be looking out for an exciting announcement in the coming weeks regarding Big Creek Lodge.

Yes, it IS what you are thinking. The Board of Directors on the Idaho Aviation Foundation (IAF) has been working this project in the background with the previous Lodge/Outfitter operators and the USFS for over 12 months, and let's just say the IAF is rarin' to get this announced. Keep an eye out for the next issue of Pilot Getaways, and various other rags--Rudder Flutter (ID State of Aeronautics newsletter), FlyLine (IAA newsletter), etc. Oh, and of course we'll be posting information here too!

Quick education on the Idaho Aviation Foundation and Idaho Aviation Association (what the heck is the difference?): The IAF funds projects to keep Idaho airstrips not only accessible and safe--but also enjoyable. IAF is a charitable 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which has no members (just a highly involved Board of Directors who are constantly fund raising). Projects that have been funded by IAF include Garden Valley showers bathroom facility, various new backcountry webcams (a safety project), plus many other projects. Take a look at the IAF website (but you won't see anything on the Big Creek Secret just yet) http://www.idahoaviationfoundation.org. In contrast, our good friends at the Idaho Aviation Association has 1000+ members and provides the brawn that makes airstrip work parties actually succeed, helps educate pilots, provides social events, provides some of the manpower that actually built the Garden Valley Shower Facility (the state also provided some, plus contractors too), and keeps people updated on airstrip conditions http://idahoaviation.com/idahoAirstripNetwork.php There. Now you know!

If you belong to a club that would like to get updates on the soon to be no longer secret project, then send me a note with the club name, city/state, contact name, and email address. When we begin sending e-blasts we'll send them to your club's editor.

Just thought I'd give some of you something to think about for a couple weeks. Patience, patience!

Can't wait to hear what's happening. I've ate a lot of pancakes at Big Creek and even spent part of my honeymoon there in 2006. It was a great place to camp or to just drop in for some breakfast while camped elsewhere. I really hope that becomes an option again!

It was a shame that the old lodge burned down. A replacement would be great news!

And, for the record, if it happens I'd like to see it made out of some local logs, just like the old one, not some prefab building with panels made in some third world country!

Awesome news! Really looking forward to hearing more!

Thank you, IAF and IAA!

kevbert wrote:It was a shame that the old lodge burned down. A replacement would be great news!

And, for the record, if it happens I'd like to see it made out of some local logs, just like the old one, not some prefab building with panels made in some third world country!

Amen brother. You will likely be happy with the plan. When the time comes, we can explain costs--it ain't cheap to build in a remote location and have USFS/ADA/NEPA (environmental) and other regulations/permits to comply with/attain. So, save your pennies for a taxable donation when the time comes! Good news is we are pretty well down the path and committed--I hope the rest of the aviation community will also commit to financially support it.

damn they had a great breakfast.. a new lodge there would be a fantastic plus.. easy strip to land and take off from. good camping and if a new lodge is built they'll probably have rooms for rent too..looking forward to it....fly in possibilities will increase also. Maules used to have fly ins there..as did some of the other type clubs...

Collsb wrote:

kevbert wrote:It was a shame that the old lodge burned down. A replacement would be great news!

And, for the record, if it happens I'd like to see it made out of some local logs, just like the old one, not some prefab building with panels made in some third world country!

Amen brother. You will likely be happy with the plan. When the time comes, we can explain costs--it ain't cheap to build in a remote location and have USFS/ADA/NEPA (environmental) and other regulations/permits to comply with/attain. So, save your pennies for a taxable donation when the time comes! Good news is we are pretty well down the path and committed--I hope the rest of the aviation community will also commit to financially support it.

I can't imagine, I tried to build a building to rent to the Forest Service a few years ago when they were signing a new 10 year lease. They wanted certain building materials used, (no wood, of course) and even insisted we hire a queer or three on the crew. Didn't happen, they ended up renting an existing building built by straight guys out of sticks and stones.

All--I NEED YOUR HELP:
I need your input on club contacts in various key areas that frequent Idaho's backcountry. Example: who is the person who creates news items for Montana Pilots Assoc, Oregon Pilots' Assoc, SuperCub group, UBCP, (give me your other ideas too) etc. The Idaho Aviation Foundation board knows individuals at each org, but not neccessarily the people who manage the newsletter/websites. You can reply directly to me vs sending emails/phone numbers to the whole group.

The Big Creek rebuild project will go 'public' about January 25. This coincides with the date the Idaho Aviation Foundation will launch the website on this project, and we will have an ad in Pilot Getaways mag.

You will be pleased to know we have already raised over 50% of our fundraising goal--and have a lot of hurdles covered with the USFS. We will need the pilot and outdoor community support to bring it home!

I am an MPA board member and can get news items to the proper person.

An announcment was made in the IAA newsletter and a website dedicated to the project is up: http://rebuildbigcreek.com/

Yes, it is true. On Jan 31, the Idaho Aviation Foundation officially announced the project to rebuild Big Creek Lodge. http://www.rebuildbigcreek.com. As the Project Manager for this undertaking, I am happy to report that we have over 50% of the fund raising goal attained, and the IAF has title to the improvements/existing buildings on the site (including hydroelectric system, water storage and delivery, septic, etc). We waited until now to go public, as we wanted our ducks in a row and 50% of funds already raised. This project WILL succeed-it has everything going for it now.

We are pretty well down the path of planning, and the lodge could be completed potentially in late fall 2014, but more likely in 2015 (depending on weather and some other permit steps). We will have activities at the site this summer (check website under About Us for calendar info).

The fund raising is a capital campaign, and your support will mean a lot. We have had tremendous support from multiple people already, and some potential large donors in the pipeline. if this project means something special to you, we do hope you will participate! Check current donors at:
http://www.rebuildbigcreek.com/index.php/list-of-donors
Feel free to ask q's of me or you can do it on the website too.
All the best!

Just an idea here... If we have a raffle again this year at Johnson Creek maybe we can donate all the money to the Big Creek Lodge project!? And/or have someone at the fly-in in charge of collecting donations for the project? I'll volunteer to set up a table for collecting donations if everyone thinks its a good idea.

Just donated $250.00 via the link That was the second ever Idaho BC air strip I had ever flown into. I swore I wanted to stay there the next year. I think it was September or early October when it burnt down Maybe I'll get my wish

Glidergeek wrote:Just donated $250.00 via the link That was the second ever Idaho BC air strip I had ever flown into. I swore I wanted to stay there the next year. I think it was September or early October when it burnt down Maybe I'll get my wish

Thank you for your donation, Glidergeek! We did indeed receive it and will get info out to you shortly. THANK YOU! I hope you decide to upload a photo or a cool story from your enjoyment of the area. We just met with the Forest Service yesterday (very good mtg==exceeded our expectations by the way), and of the 6 of them in the room, each had visited the website and all mentioned how cool it was that it is interactive so that all types of users can share a story. I'd love for them to see more, so please write a short item and upload a pic if you are inclined!

Thanks again--and please come back to the website often--I think I'll be posting a few news updates late next week. Cheers!

robw56 wrote:Just an idea here... If we have a raffle again this year at Johnson Creek maybe we can donate all the money to the Big Creek Lodge project!? And/or have someone at the fly-in in charge of collecting donations for the project? I'll volunteer to set up a table for collecting donations if everyone thinks its a good idea.

This is a wonderful idea, and I am touched for the IAF that you would want to help do this. This is the kind of grass roots help we need help with. You can pass this info around--we have donor 'prospects' that we are approaching for major donations ($5k and up) which help get that last $400k in large chunks if we are successful. But, we also know that we need about 1500 donations worth averagely $150 each to fill in the remaining goal. Due to groups like Backcountry Pilots and also SuperCub.org, 180/185, Utah Backcountry Pilots (and of course IAA, etc)...I am certain we will make this goal.

Not sure if you saw on the site, but the IAF is going to host a few breakfast gatherings in 2013 for the public (with Forest Service encouragement). Check out the dates--mid June and end of June are on the calendar:
http://www.rebuildbigcreek.com/index.php/event-calendar
If you would like to coordinate with our Rebuild Big Creek 'Gatherings' committee, I can get you in touch with them.

Thanks again for your support--you will help make a difference!
Colls

What a great idea, Rob Wish I had thought of that I vote yes, BCP behind the Big Creek rebuild. Hope they put on breakfast during JC weekend! Good fund raising opportunity! Put me down for 2 breakfast, also will make donation via web site when they get the credit card part going. John & Lora Lee

We've donated half the raffle proceeds to the IAF the last 2 years, the other half to the RAF.

Zzz wrote:We've donated half the raffle proceeds to the IAF the last 2 years, the other half to the RAF.

All worthy causes, I'll back whatever Matt and Zzz decide. Thanks guys.

G'Day

Little John wrote:What a great idea, Rob Wish I had thought of that I vote yes, BCP behind the Big Creek rebuild. Hope they put on breakfast during JC weekend! Good fund raising opportunity! Put me down for 2 breakfast, also will make donation via web site when they get the credit card part going. John & Lora Lee

Yes, one of the breakfast weekends happens to coincide with the dates the Backcountry Pilots will be at Johnson Creek I believe (June 29-30). I look forward to meeting you and Zzz and everyone then. I want to thank you guys for your support over the years--very kind.

Donation Day coming up MAY 2 - From the Idaho Aviation Association:

From: Idaho Aviation Association [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, April 29, 2013 5:00 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Idaho Gives - May 2nd, 2013

Hi Everyone!

It’s only a few days until the one BIG day of giving is here – Idaho Gives on May 2nd, 2013. The Idaho Aviation Foundation (IAF) is involved and will be accepting donations for the Rebuild Big Creek project on the special website set up for a single day of statewide charitable giving occurring on May 2.

In order to reap the most benefit (donations!) from this event they need EACH of YOU to spread the word about it to all of your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, etc. Using Facebook and Twitter will get the word out exponentially faster and to more people.

The rewards for the IAF are many:
• from midnight -11:59pm a share of every dollar raised by Idaho nonprofits will be matched with funds from the Idaho Gives award pool.
• the top five organizations with the most unique donors (nonprofits are divided by size) will receive bonus grants of $3,000, $1,000, $500, $250, and $250 respectively.
• in larger states, millions of dollars have been raised in a single day.
• this allows the IAF to elevate their profile, expand their online presence, call attention to the work they're doing, and raise critical funds.

Go to the site now and see what it’s all about! http://idahogives.razoo.com/story/Rebui ... -Big-Creek. Then forward this email to everyone you know and continue to talk it up until you actually make your donation on the site that day. You can even make your donation now and postdate it for May 2nd, in order to help with the bonus grants.

There is a flyer attached to this email that you can print and display in your business or any other business.

Thanks for helping with this amazing opportunity!



If you have questions or comments please contact the IAF at 208-861-9056 or [email protected].