The history of Salon Viesti and speed skating

The club of Salon Viesti was founded in 1912 and speed skating was a popular hobby in those days and so it was among the founders of the club.
The "board members" can be found from the photo (from left to right, Paavo Raunio, Martti Raunio, Aarne Sainio and Heino Hidström).
The first official race was 1916 when the speed skating was done on top of the Salo river but a track was made to a field close to the "city" center. The facilities has always been a problem and after a 100 years the problem remains the same, where to skate with speed skates!? The indoor places are too small and meant only for ice hockey. Outdoor track (333m) only comes if the winter is cold enough and if the city of Salo has money in the future the freeze it! But even with challenges the speed skating will go on and 2012 the club will be 100 years old!