SAULT STE. MARIE — A new addition to the I-500 race track was officially recognized Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the I-500 Trailhead Pavilion.
The pavilion is part of a $2.5 million grant that funded the structure along with other improvements to the property, including paving the main road, upgrades to the electrical system, new fencing and a new trail leading to the pavilion. As part of the 80/20 matching requirement, $500,000 was raised.
The Sault Ste. Marie Convention and Visitors Bureau received support from local and state leaders to complete the project.
“You think of all the people that put their hands into this and all the donors, it’s been an amazing process,” said Linda Hoath, executive director of the Sault Ste. Marie Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Everybody came together, the city, the county, our senator, our representative, they have been a big part of who we are here.”
The I-500 snowmobile race is scheduled for Feb. 7, with the green flag dropping at 10 a.m.