Jokivartisten kyläseura aka Jokivartiset (free translation: riverside residents’ club) is an association for both permanent residents and free-time property owners living in the northernmost villages of Pello: Kiuruniemi, Tervaoja, Jarhoinen, Naamijoki, Teikosuvanto, Oranki.
Our association has built and maintains the approx. 70 km of cross-country ski trails in the area with our own track-machine, and we take care of the shelters and the wilderness cabin Kohmarova along the route. Naamivaara outdoor area and the self-service hut, the sledding hill and the disc golf course are also managed by us.
All these facilities are free to use (except the other half of the Kohmarova cabin which can be rented) so you do not need to be a member of the association to enjoy these outdoor activities.
The association also wants to bring together people living and staying in the area. We organize events like the annual cross-border skiing event Meän Hihto in cooperation with sports clubs on the Swedish side of Torne River. The events are organized by volunteers, and our residents (not only members) are quite eager to volunteer.
We collaborate with Pello municipality and with other village clubs outside Pello center to help villages thrive. The board of the association plans the activities and organizes funding. Membership fees are one part of our funding and important for two reasons: of course we need money to keep the track machine going and service the facilities, but even more, all external funding we apply for and receive is based on the number of official members.
Officially we operate only in Finnish but would love to connect with our non-Finnish speaking residents, too.
If you are interested in being a member or getting to know us, please reach out to our current president Sirpa Penttinen (sipupenttinen@gmail.com, phone +358 50 365 2799).
