County Sports in Caribou, Maine, has a storied history that reflects a strong dedication to the powersports industry and the local community. From its origins as a welding fabrication shop, the dealership has evolved significantly, thanks to the vision and dedication of its key figures.
County Sports was originally L.C. Willards, a welding fabrication shop founded by Lynwood Willard in the 1950s. Lynwood’s venture into the powersports world began when he signed on with Polaris in 1959 setting the stage for what would become a key player in the industry. This partnership with Polaris was the first dealership in Maine that had Polaris and something that they are very proud of. Country Sports still carries Polaris and loves their relationship with them. After Lynwood, the shop transitioned to his nephew, Ted Durepo, then Reggie Thibodeau, and eventually to Myron Hale, who now owns and has operated the dealership for 35 years.
The year 2000 marked a notable achievement for County Sports with the “Alaska to Maine Ride. It was later named the “Ride of the Millennium.” This trip in total was 5,977 miles. This event highlighted the dealership’s dedication to innovation and excellence. The trip featured prominent team members Mike Ouellette, Mike McCarthy, and Kirk St. Peter. During this time, the team, including Dave Moreau, worked on developing the idea behind putting wheels on snowmobile skis. It is now commonly known as Retracks. This innovation played a crucial role in their success and showcased their commitment to engineering advancements.
Mike Ouellette was working on an idea to put wheels on snowmobile skis. Dave Moreau was instrumental in installing Retracks on sleds in 1999. Dave’s involvement in the product’s development stages contributed to the dealership’s reputation for high-quality engineering. When Mike introduced 2 CNC machines to enhance parts supply, it was a significant development, demonstrating their focus on technological progress that helped with refining the product and getting parts more available.
County Sports earned a nomination for the President’s Award in 2000, a testament to their exceptional performance and contributions. More recently, they were nominated for Maine’s MSA Dealer of the Year, reflecting their continued leadership in the industry. The dealership takes pride in its impressive 98 percent Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) scores, highlighting its commitment to excellent customer service.
A standout feature of County Sports is Marshall Burbee, who has been a vital part of the team for 14 years. His significant contributions have greatly impacted the dealership’s success, and both the team and the customers greatly appreciate his dedication.
County Sports continues to build on its rich history with a focus on innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction. The dealership remains a trusted name in the power sports industry, thanks to the dedicated efforts of its team and the loyal support of its customers. For those seeking reliable power sports equipment and exceptional service, County Sports stands as a leading presence in Caribou, Maine.
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