10 years ago, Eräkeskus started a new life, after having been empty and un-used for many years. It was on 6th November 2003, when Simone and Martin arrived in North-Karelia, a convoy of a Ford Focus, a Mazda Tribute with big dog-trailer and a rented truck for the complete household, first sleds, mountain bikes etc. On the way up north from ferry-port Hanko, we first had to sign the final version of the sales contract in Joensuu, then getting the keys in Lieksa, and then finally open the doors of the new home!
Everything was rather fast unpacked and installed. But unfortunately the delivery of the kennel elements, planned for that same day, was delayed. So our first 32 dogs had to live the first few days at the stake-out-chains and in the trailer-boxes. Of course we took the time to walk all of them regularly on leash - an exhausting exercise with a few of them, like Jimmy or Groover. Our first dogs were a nice mix from dog shelters, from breeders who sold them, or from hobby-mushers who did stop or reduce the sport. Some of those dogs had probably never walked in leash before... 
!
So the first days were dominated by unpacking and installing, followed by a few days with intense kennel and doghouse building from early morning till late evening.
That was 10 years ago. Since that, a lot has been done! The kennels - heart of Eräkeskus - reached their final size in 2010. An almost steady pack of +/- 140 dogs live here. Reina, the first born Eräkeskus puppy is still here, happily working. Also some of the first arrived are still here: Jimmy, Groover, Lolly, T-Pow. Most of todays working Eräkeskus-dogs is born, raised, socialised and trained here. 1 - 3 litters per year keep a good age-average and allow us to let the older ones relax and retire, when their time has come. Eräkeskus has moved on from a 2-person-company with short-term seasonal helpers to an all-year-round-company with 6 - 8 employees.
After 10 years, it's my deep wish to say thank you to everybody who helped Eräkeskus to become what it is today!
All recent and actual workers! You are/were an important part in the history or Eräkeskus. No matter if you staid for one season or longer.
All guests and friends, who have visited us. What would Eräkeskus be without you! Thank you for spending your holiday at Eräkeskus!
All partners from central Europe: Thanks to your sales efforts, some since 10 years, in holiday brochures or in internet, Eräkeskus got well established among the growing number of sleddog-tour-companies and found its place! We are happy to have you as partner!
All friends here in Finland who always help out, when some Finnish paragraphs sound really Finnish to our ears, even after 10 years, and are difficult to understand!
And of course all our dogs, no matter if they live here or found a new home, or already went over the rainbow: Eräkeskus without you? simply impossible!
For us, the team 2013/2014, it's a clear fact: we are ready for the next decade! We celebrate this evening with a delicious dinner, and then start right away year nbr 11 
Just in time for the jubilee, our team got completed by Fiona. Read more about her on the team-pages.
And also just in time for the jubilee, we got the results from the last kennel inspection, who took place on an awfully wet and grey day beginning of October: the result for kennel certification 2013/2014: "Certification Plus", highest level 3rd time in a row!