In light of the recent economic downturn as well as the downturn in snowmobile sales last season, it's no secret snowmobile dealers have struggled. Some dealers, in fact, have been forced to close their doors. But Dave Lloret is reversing that trend in one corner of Idaho, opening a new snowmobile dealership in Burley. The doors open for business Monday (Nov. 26) morning at 9 a.m.

Lloret is owner of Advanced R.V., an Arctic Cat dealership in West Valley City, UT. Lloret's new dealership, Advanced Powersports, will carry Arctic Cat and Polaris snowmobiles, along with ATVs, side-by-sides and an complete line of parts and accessories as well as a service department to handle that end of the business.

The dealership is located at 111 Overland Ave. in Burley, which is on the south bank of the Snake River on the east side of the road. Advanced Powersports is right next to the John Deere dealer on Overland. The phone number is (208) 678-5111.

Lloret opened Advanced R.V. in West Valley City in April 1994. He had worked as a technician and a manager for a large RV company in Salt Lake City for 15 years before he decided to open his own RV repair and supply center.

"Shortly after the first year in business, I decided that I needed a way to stay busy in the winter so I bought some snowmobiles and had a small rental fleet," Lloret said. At that time I also started contacting the manufacturers to see if any lines were available. I met with Warren Sweeten, the DSM for Arctic Cat at that time and soon after became an Arctic Cat dealer. My first sale was a 580 EXT. Wow, how things have changed."

His business soon expanded and Lloret had to add on to his building twice. Needing even more space, he moved into his present location at 4615 W 3500 South in West Valley City.

As for his Burley location and the addition of Polaris to his line of offerings, Lloret said Polaris contacted him, suggesting the company would like a dealer in southern Idaho. It just so happened that Arctic Cat also needed a dealer in southern Idaho so Lloret will offer both lines at this Burley dealership.

"The Burley store will start out small, with just a few employees," Lloret said. "I will manage the store. The store will be open just in time for the sled season."

The store will be open Monday thru Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.