| The Board of Directors of the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce announced its decision to withdraw its partnership from the quicksilver hydroplane races. The Board decision cited the very large financial commitment required to produce the August event in its decision.
Chamber Past President Gene Straw offered, “We appreciate the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association (ULHRA) working with us and we regret the decision but we had to take a hard look at the financial situation and make a decision based on the best interests of our membership.”
The event which has taken place in August on Dyes Inlet and the Silverdale Waterfront Park costs an estimated $60-65,000 to produce. A significant portion of the budget is paid to the ULHRA to run the race itself and provide prize money to race teams.
The Board’s vice president of special events, Nathan Uffens remarked, “The Chamber’s mission is to support and represent businesses. While some of the business community benefits from an event such as ‘quicksilver’, the time and resources required in support of this huge undertaking diminishes the organization’s ability to serve the greater business core.”. | 