SCAN (Scandinavian Center at Nansenfield) is the entity with the overall responsibility to maintain, develop and financially operate Nansen Field. To this end, representatives for all clubs and organizations that use the Nansen Field facilities on a regular basis meet once a month.

[Contact information]

In 2004, the Board of Directors of SCAN instituted an annual award of recognition to be awarded to a person or persons, or an organization, that have distinguished themselves in support, work and service to Nansen Field. The criteria for selection are as follows:

• Initiative and leadership 
• Impact on organization - direction - future plans 
• Provide advice to leaders of Scan including legal and accounting 
• Playing key roles in critical matters 
• Chair fundraising activities and events 
• Support for events, planning and organizing 
• Public relations, printing, publish SCANner 
• Physical work at Nansen Field

Recipients of the Viking of the Year award:

2004 - Kristin Loumeau [Read bio]
2005 - Arne Mikkelsen [Read bio]
2006 - Paal Berg [Read bio]
2007 - Vivian and Knut Ivar Halvorsen

NANSEN FIELD - A BRIEF HISTORIC REVIEW

WW II
Norwegian Merchant Fleet reduced during the war.

Post War
Fleet quickly rebuilt - resulted in increased visits by Norwegian flag ships to the ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach. In those days ships stayed in port for many days - even weeks. How to activate sailors during port visits?(recreational and athletic activities instead of boredom or red light district - soccer matches between visiting seamen and shore based teams was very popular). Pastor - Hans Stensnes, Norwegian Seamen's Church in San Pedro was actively searching for appropriate land where recreational activities could take place.

1947
The Norwegian Seamen's Church, San Pedro was offered a lot in Palos Verdes (8.67 acres) by the Palo's Verde's Corp. which was controlled by the Vanderlip Family. Elin Breeke Vanderlip from Halden, Norway who married Kelvin Vanderlip in 1946 was instrumental in this generous offer. Cost of land: $500/acre for a total of $4,300.00! (Cost of property taxes paid by Vanderlip Family on property from 1912 to 1947). Due to influence exerted by the Norwegian Government Seamen's Welfare Office, the Church declined the offer, instead an option to buy the land was granted to the Consul General, Kaar Ingstad, as representative for the Government

1948
The option was executed in April 1948, and the property was first owned by Mr. Ingstad as trustee for the Kingdom of Norway.

1948-1952
For the next four years the property was improved for use as a recreational area with great efforts of the local Norwegian community of church volunteers. A soccer field was created and leveled off. Discarded army barracks from Fort McArthur in San Pedro was transported to the site and used as a club house. The property was officially dedicated at a ceremony in 1949 and given the name Nansen Field, after the famed Norwegian explorer and humanist Fritjof Nansen.

1952
Seamen of Norway, Inc. (SNI) was established and the deed was transferred to this entity on February 29, 1952. Nansen Field is owned by SNI in an irrevocable charitable trust. SNI was formed as a California non-profit corporation with powers vested in its 5 directors. The Articles of Incorporation stated amongst others; "To acquire, own, establish, provide, operate and maintain real and personal property in or near San Pedro, California for the physical, spiritual and moral welfare of seamen and others." "The property of this corporation is irrevocably dedicated to religious, charitable or hospital purposes, and upon the liquidation, dissolution or abandonment of this corporation will not inure to the benefit of any private person, except a fund, foundation or corporation organized and operated for religious, hospital, scientific and charitable purpose."

1952-1981
The Norwegian Seamen's Welfare Office operated Nansen Field with the assistance of the local Norwegian community to maintain and upkeep the soccer field and buildings. Sportsklubben FRAM was founded in 1964 and celebrated its 39 year anniversary on June 6, 1994.

1981
The Seamen's Welfare Office in San Pedro was closed-reason: a combination of the decline in Norwegian shipping and limited time for seamen to spend ashore due to shorter stays in the port. On April 26, 1981 SNI signed an agreement with FRAM for the operation, maintenance and management of Nansen Field. FRAM has operated Nansen Field through 1996 - annual budget $20-$25,000. Funds are raised entirely by the local community.

1983-1984
A new club house was built at a cost in excess of $100,000 (also included improvements of soccer field) in preparation for the 1984 Olympics. Bank loan was obtained with personal guarantees by several members of FRAM. Nansen Field Foundation, Inc. (NFFI) was established in 1983. NFFI was established as a California non-profit organization with Tax Exempt Status in order to facilitate fund raising for the upkeep and improvement of Nansen Field.

1984 (Olympic Year)
Norwegian Olympic Team received much support by the community both prior to, during and after the games. Norwegian athletes (yachtsmen) lived at Nansen Field during the games. Olympic BBQ at Nansen Field gathered 500 people.

1987
Bank loan paid off. Burning of loan documents ceremony held at the field. "Blue Ribbon Committee" formed by FRAM. Purpose: define future structure and operation of Nansen Field and FRAM'S' role. Recommendation: Establish a broader base of local community entities to support and operate Nansen Field in the future. Clarify ownership of the property.

1989
Norwegian Parliament (Storting) passed a law requiring all Norwegian government owned properties abroad sold. Norwegian delegates visited Nansen Field. Upon return to Norway they reported that Nansen Field could be sold at prices ranging from several hundred thousands to millions of dollars. "Property should be sold to the highest bidder." Instructions were given by Norway to the directors of SNI to amend the articles of incorporation not only allowing a sale of the property but with the proceeds to be transferred to Norway. After obtaining legal advise the Board of Directors declined based upon: 
a) SNI's charitable purposes.
b) SNI's sole ownership of Nansen Field. 
c) The requirements for use of the property in the Grand Deed and Articles of Incorporation.

1993
On September 28, 1993 the Kingdom of Norway filed a suit in U.S. Federal Court against the 5 individual members of the Board of Directors of SNI, to remove and replace them by a new Board and to determine ownership and control of Nansen Field. The ultimate motive was to sell the property to the highest bidder.

1995
On March 30, 1995 the Court ruled that: SNI is the sole owner of Nansen Field, the elected members of the Board of Directors are the current ones, Kingdom of Norway has no ownership interests in Nansen Field and has no power to remove or appoint members of the Board of Directors, SNI's request that plaintiff pays it legal fees was denied. Norway's aggressive and intimidating litigation was costly in terms of legal fees: Norway - approx. USD $1.3million, SNI - approx. US $320,000.

1996
In June 1996, a loan payable in 5 years and secured by the Nansen Field property was granted and the legal fees paid off. Current challenges for the Board: Raise sufficient funds to pay off the loan and to upgrade the facilities of Nansen Field. Generate steady revenues to meet the charitable purpose of SNI under California law (to benefit seamen). Substantial programs may be required to justify retention of Nansen Field in its present form. A real estate appraiser commissioned by Norway put a value of USD $3,025,000 (April 1995).

1997-2001
A new organization was established in May 1997; Scandinavian Center at Nansenfield (SCAN). This entity replaced Sportsklubben FRAM as the operator and manager of Nansen Field in an agreement with SNI. In its infancy SCAN faced many challenges, including:
a) to raise sufficient funds to make monthly interest payments and pay down loan. 
b) to maintain, repair and upgrade the soccer field and buildings.
c) to generate sufficient revenues and cash flow to assist SNI in meeting its charitable purpose (to benefit seamen and others)

• SCAN's goal to establish a Nordic Heritage, Cultural and Sports Center at Nansen Field has proven difficult. Nansen Field was considered by the Scandinavian community in Los Angeles to be "too Norwegian" throughout the years. Not until SNI was faced with a substantial debt did the Board invite others to join and then, primarily, to ask for financial help.

• SCAN's dilemma has been mainly financial in that it proved difficult to raise sufficient funds. Annual interest payments on the loan alone run in excess of $20,000. A similar amount is required for maintenance, insurance and other running expenses. Funds collected over and above are used to reduce the debt.

• SNI had basically two options going forward, either sell the property with proceeds going to a charitable organization, or refinance the loan. 

• A "Save Nansen Field" campaign was implemented in February 2001 and has been successful. 

2002
• The loan was refinanced in February 2002.

2003
• 2003 was a good year financially, thanks to generous donations and several fund raising activities.

2004 
Was a good year financially, thanks to generous donations and several fund raising activities.

Donations
We would like to recognize the following $ 100 + donors in the year 2004:

- Kristin Bartsch McNany/Landsvik Trust: $ 45,794.21
- Brits at Nansen: $ 4,000
- Anchor Club (S.O.N./Ulabrand: $ 2,022.06
- SWEA: $ 1,500 ($ 1,000 donation + $ 500 toward Birch Tree project)
- Sportsklubben Fram: $ 1,000
- Sound dog/”Miracle” the movie: $ 200
- Fram Soccer: $ 500
- May Espinosa: $ 300
- Perot System (in memory Dagmar Vadby): $ 300
- S.O.N./Solbakken: $ 200
- Ragnar Amlie (in memory Dagmar Vadby): $ 150
- Floyd Johansson: $ 130
- Dagmar Vadby/Ann Jahnsen, car sale proceed: $ 127.71
- Jan Poppa (in memory Dagmar Vadby): $ 100
- Lilli & Al Miller: $ 100 
- Paul Jones: $ 100

Note that the large donation from the Bartsch McNany/Landsvik Trust was received at the very end of December 2004. We will use this donation for field improvement projects and debt reduction, a split between which will be decided as soon as possible. 
We thank all the above for their generosity. We also wish to thank all the other donors, too many to list in this report, for their financial gifts during 2004. Thanks to your generosity, the debt is slowly being reduced as shown below:

Debt reduction
December 31. 1995: $ 325,000 
December 31. 1996: $ 260,000
December 31. 1997: $ 212,000
December 31. 1998: $ 198,000
December 31. 1999: $ 190,000
December 31. 2000: $ 185,000
December 31. 2001: $ 162,000
December 31. 2002: $ 150,000
December 31. 2003: $ 133,000
December 31. 2004: $ 121,000

A loan provided to SCAN from S.O.N. Ulabrand in June 2001 in the amount of $ 3,500 was forgiven by them in the fall of 2004. SCAN board appreciates this decision and thanks Ulabrand for their support!

SCAN also wish to recognize Kerstin Loumeau, CPA for her continuous contribution in preparing and filing all required tax returns etc. for SCAN/NFF and SNI at no cost.

Maintenance
Fram Soccer leases the soccer field and specific areas. Thee fee is paid directly to SNI and is not reflected in SCAN’s financial’s. Fram Soccer does a great job in maintaining these premises, not to mention paying the cost of maintaining field equipment, tractor etc. Furthermore, Andy Lowe does an excellent job in keeping the facilities and other areas in good order and condition.

In addition to the daily maintenance, several work parties were held for specific clean-up and trimming etc., primarily by a small group of diehards from the user clubs Sportsklubben Fram, Fram Soccer and Brits at Nansen.

About the future
SCAN is the entity with the overall responsibility to maintain, develop and financially operate Nansen Field. This includes the task of reducing SNI’s debt. 

The tasks and challenges facing SCAN are many and at times overwhelming. Going forward, SCAN needs more support on the board level. A proposal to expand the board to include one representative from each user club will be proposed at the 2005 Annual Meeting in February. Such expansion of the board will improve communication between all NF stakeholders and enhance and strengthen unity and cooperation.

We shall continue the work towards involving additional groups and individuals at Nansen Field. To be successful in achieving this objective, we must come up with programs and activities that will make SCAN and Nansen Field attractive and interesting so that people will want to join and support.