That same question has been asked many times of our judges and EB members as well. We have experienced difficulties with locating venues for our national events that will accept dogs as well as the possibility of increased office rental fees.
With those thoughts in mind, I believe that building this type of facility would provide many benefits for our members. Are we ready to begin working towards the goal of developing a property built to address our members and our dogs needs? Can we foresee a future of owning a facility, where we would have total control of our national events and seminars while having our office on site? Certainly the idea has been on the minds of many members over the past few years. I invite each of you to give some thought to the idea and the benefits of developing a facility for our future.
Let A Dream Become Reality!
February 2, 2010
Just imagine. You arrive at a national event held for the first time at USA’s new central headquarters. You walk into a spacious club house where people have gathered to chat and share good times. You notice immediately that the main gathering areas are well furnished and complete with kitchen, bathrooms, and other comforts designed to welcome visitors from the US and all over the world.
A short tour of the offices gives you the impression of order and organization. You see USA staff members answering questions and helping people with documents and paperwork right out of their ample desks and computer centers.
After a little while of friendly encounters you walk out the back to continue your discovery. Immediately to your right you see a large indoor-arena. As you enter the building you are faced with row after row of chairs and conference-style tables prepared for the upcoming general board meeting. Someone explains that the setup is designed to be easily converted to any type of large group gathering such as what is needed during draw night, banquets, seminars, or other celebrations or educational programs. A small room reveals podiums, wide projection screens, monitors and other media equipment ready for all tasks.
A wide door leads you out to the open fields where the real excitement begins. A breath of fresh air hits you as you look into the distance and recognize instantly two perfectly manicured training and exhibition fields complete with bleachers, lighting, and well defined features designed specifically for the German Shepherd related sports.
A large flag of the organization flies proudly at the entrance of the performance fields along with flags of other nations decorating the space with the kind of festive atmosphere that says: “Welcome to the United Schutzhund Clubs of America”.
Your flight in was easy, directions clear and the airport of arrival, a short distance from the center. You already checked into the main hotel only a few minutes away. As you sit and take the whole new experience in you simply wonder how we could have done it all those years without a central location such as this.
Too ideal?, Too much of a dream? The executive board along with members at large are already working on this plan. A huge undertaking indeed, but it can be done. We will of course need a lot of help and support from the membership, particularly from the Mid Western area where we think this facility should be located.
Please contact us and let us know your thoughts. Perhaps you know of a property that could suit us. The location should be no less than 10 acres of even and level terrain. It must also be zoned for agricultural or industrial use. It should be located within one and a half hours of a decent airport and within 45 minutes of adequate hotels and other urban centers. If water and electricity are already in place it would be of great help.
Please contact Johannes Grewe at: grewe@att.net
