From car club to community: Midnight North builds connections in Prince Albert

The club began with about seven people and has continued to grow. Today, there is an active group chat with at least 15 members regularly communicating, although Remy said there is no official membership number because “people just keep coming.”

While the club has increasingly attracted younger members, including many between 17 and 19, Remy said there is no age requirement, and members do not need to own an expensive or heavily modified vehicle.

“If it’s quiet, bring it. If it’s shiny, bring it. If it’s rusted, bring it,” he said.

The club does have expectations around behaviour. Members are asked to treat others with respect, avoid actions that could reflect poorly on the group and, importantly, keep its events sober.

(Image Credit: Submitted)

Behind the cars is a growing emphasis on connection.

Remy said the club has evolved from simply bringing car enthusiasts together into an effort to make Prince Albert a stronger community.

“That’s what it’s turned into,” he said. “I wanted a car club to meet more car enthusiasts, and it turned into just wanting to, like, inspire the youth and show them that, you know, with hard work and dedication and some education, you can obtain these vehicles that you see.”

That goal is shared by his collaborator, Dakota Favel, who describes his role as supporting Remy and focusing on the adult mental-health side of the group’s work.

Favel has also been developing Parallel 53°; a motivational and mental-health movement focused particularly on men’s mental health. He sees cars as a way to bring people together in an environment where conversations can happen naturally.

“I figured out real quick, with the vehicles, cars, is that if you get guys in a certain parking lot, or they’re all together, thoughts start flowing through and so it opens up a whole other avenue, right? all of a sudden, it transfroms from just being about cars to being about each other.” Favel said.

The support extends beyond conversations about cars. Members have helped one another with rides and other everyday needs, turning the club into something closer to a community network.

The collaborators also want to create more opportunities for families and young people in Prince Albert. Their longer-term vision includes larger automotive events at the Prince Albert Exhibition Grounds, potentially bringing together vehicles and activities from communities throughout northern Saskatchewan.

Remy and Favel see Prince Albert as a natural meeting point for the North.

“Prince Albert is the heart,” he said. “If we can start pumping good vibes out of here to the north, to the south, and beyond, the east, the west, and everything… hopefully, even this just inspires people to bring more to PA…”

(Image Credit: Submitted)

The club has also worked to build relationships with the city’s established automotive community. Remy said the Classic Cruisers have been supportive, particularly in efforts to bring together enthusiasts with different interests, including classic and newer vehicles and domestic and import cars.

Community involvement is already part of the club’s activities. Members plan to participate in local fundraising events, while Midnight North’s own October 10th event at the Exhibition Grounds will run from noon to 5 p.m. Spectators can attend free, while show cars are $10.

For Remy, the goal isn’t simply to organize bigger events. It’s to encourage people to participate in the community they want to see.

“Let’s stop complaining about having nothing to do, if you want more stuff to do here, you gotta go to the EA Rollinson Centre and watch those plays for $20 or support local events… Give back to the community somehow” he said.

People interested in joining Midnight North, attending its events, sponsoring activities or becoming involved can find information, applications and event registrations through the club’s website, midnightnorthcarclub.ca, as well as its social media channels.

At its heart, Remy said, the invitation remains simple: bring the car, bring the passion and come meet people.

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*This sponsored content was produced in partnership with Midnight North Car Club.

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From car club to community: Midnight North builds connections in Prince Albert

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