Crowdfunding Campaign Launched for the "Trailhead Pavilion at the I-500" in Sault Ste. Marie

$50,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

 

LANSING, Mich. – The I-500 Raceway in Sault Ste. Marie will soon become a year-round gathering space with the completion of a new trailhead pavilion. This effort will be fulfilled through the anticipated success of a crowdfunding campaign that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) the Sault Area Foundation for Education and Sault Area Convention & Visitors Bureau announced today, which is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. 

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by April 2^nd, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/i500. 

“Creating year-round use of a beloved but underused space is a motivating factor in Michigan-based placemaking in particular,” said MEDC Regional Prosperity Managing Director Paula Holtz. “We are pleased to support and provide resources for this project through our Public Spaces Community Places program.” 

For over 50 years, the International 500 Raceway in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, has hosted the iconic I-500 snowmobile endurance race. Thousands of racers and fans gather every February to experience this one-of-a-kind event. The I-500 Raceway is owned by the City of Sault Ste. Marie, who partnered with the Sault Area Convention & Visitors Bureau to take on a $2.5 million+ Raceway enhancement project two years ago that would turn the raceway into a public year-round gathering space. All the planning and design work is completed and now this campaign will allow them to complete a new four-seasons public pavilion and create a new trailhead that will connect the surrounding walking/biking trails that begin near the raceway site. 

"The PSCP matching grant program has been instrumental in bringing our vision for the new pavilion at the I-500 track to life,” said Linda Hoath, President of the Sault Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “This initiative not only enhances our community's premier winter attraction but also supports year-round events and activities, boosting local tourism and economic growth. We are grateful for this partnership and its impact on the Sault Ste. Marie community." 

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League and Patronicity, in which local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, nonprofits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan. 

“Outdoor recreation is a huge part of Michigan’s culture, and revitalized spaces like this pavilion are a great way to create more recreational opportunities for visitors year-round.” said Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League. “This is exactly what activating spaces in communities is all about.”    

The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of January 29, 2025, MEDC has provided more than $13.6 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 398 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with more than $15.4 million raised from 73,879 individual donors. Communities have a 97 percent success rate in achieving their goals and earning matching funds. 

 

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.