A successful bidder eagerly claims his new ride, as an adult heads off to pay for it.The Rotary Club of Yellowknife's Bike Auction was considered a huge success today, raising $4,768 and 're-cycling' 45 bicycles to new homes.
A good crowd of no more than 200 people took in the hour-long auction action at the YK Education District #1 Parking Lot on Saturday. The auctioneer was Rotarian and former NWT Commissioner Tony Whitford.
This year, members of the Yellowknife Mountain Bike Club helped complete repairs to the bicycles. The Rotary Club is a major sponsor of the Bike Club's new park at Bristol Pits and proceeds from the auction will be put toward the first phase of that project.
The Rotary Club would like to thank all the volunteers who helped set up, run and tear down the auction. Special thanks goes to Yellowknife RCMP and the city's Municipal Enforcement Division for turning over recovered bicycles. We also thank members of the community who donated bicycles after hearing about the auction.
Please enjoy some photos of the event:
The first of several trailer loads of bicycles is bright from the Club's donated storage space to the auction site.
Auctioneer Tony Whitford, a long-time Rotarian, relaxes before selling off some 45 bicycles in an auction that ran over an hour.
Auction committee chair Peter Vician gives instructions to volunteer Rotarians and members of the Yellowknife Mountain Bike Club.
Rotarians Lydia Bardak and Jan Larsson share a laugh while working to attract attention to the auction.
Viewing took place from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
And the auction action kicks off, with Peter Vician giving last-minute direction to helpers, including Chris Williams at right.
There were several eager bidders, under direction of adults. Some were successful, others not so.
Bid spotter Yanik D'Aigle rolls a nice girls' bike to its new owners.
The payment table was staffed by new YK Club President Celestino Oh and Rotarian Karen Wilford.
Photos and story by James O'Connor