August 03, 2012

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Friday, August 3, 2012

Cowichan News Leader Pictorial / Vision Cowichan 1

Cowichan: Then and Now

As Duncan turns 100, a look back as we move forward

Commerce Leisure

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Friday, August 3, 2012

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Friday, August 3, 2012

Cowichan News Leader Pictorial / Vision Cowichan 3

Cowichan: Then and Now

2

012 marks a special year in Cowichan.

Not only is it the 100th birthday of the city of Duncan, it is also the 100th anniversary of Bamberton as well.

And that’s why we thought it would be fitting, in this annual publication focused on looking forward, to also take a look back

as well.

The community we call home shares a lot of qualities in common with the community that declared Kenneth Forrest Duncan its first mayor a full century ago.

But it is more interesting to see how much things have changed.

• Demographics...5 • Shopping...8 • Agriculture...13 • Bamberton...16 • Health...22 • Fishing...23 • Education...26 • Politics...29 • Leisure...30 • Industry...32

Published annually by the Cowichan News Leader Pictorial, Unit 2, 5380 Trans Canada Highway, Duncan B.C., V9L 6W4 Phone: 250-746-4471 Fax: (250) 746-8529 E-mail: editor@cowichannewsleader.com Web site: www.cowichannewsleader.com

Produced by: The Cowichan News Leader Pictorial Editor: John McKinley Publisher: Bill Macadam

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Friday, August 3, 2012

Cowichan News Leader Pictorial / Vision Cowichan 5

Demographics, then and now

Louis Fleetwood Norie of The Norns in Cowichan Station is one of those showing in the Duncan Fall Fair in 1910.

A small and select company

That man was Kenneth Duncan, elected by acclamation. The mere 290 eligible voters also elected W. Gidley, O.T. Smythe, E.F. Miller and J. Campbell as aldermen and James Greig became the city clerk.

It was a prosperous time in the city’s development during

courtesy Cowichan Valley Museum and Archive

Five years after incorporation, a questionnaire put out by a newspaper in Manitoba revealed some interesting facts he City of Duncan about the city. The findings went into incorpowere published in an article in ration in 1912 with the Leader.

1,500 residents, but The population at that time few qualified to run was approximately 1,200 but for office. the total number of people That was due to a variety who did busiof factors, acness and trade cording to Tom in the city Henry in his “Women could not hold office, nor could was more like book Small City Chinese, Native, Japanese, or Sikhs.”

6,000. in a Big Valley.

The main “Women nationality could not hold was English office, nor and the main could Chinese, 1911 and 1912 when a hosmeans of livelihood were Natives, Japanese, Sikhs or pital, a power grid, the large agriculture and lumbering, any other non-Caucasian Cowichan Merchants building according to the results of the ethnic group, no matter how and many businesses emerged. questionnaire. long they had been in the The copper market rebounded There was one central high country,’’ he reports in the school and 17 outlying rural book. “Renters could not sit on after the bottom dropped out in 1908 and an unprecedented elementary schools, with council, nor could a man who boom lasted until 1913. an additional eight private owned property valued at less The town’s confi guration schools. The total number of than $1,000. had already been set before students in the district was “Nomination day brought 700. only one candidate for mayor,’’ incorporation with three distinct neighbourhoods: the The community also boasted historian Jack Fleetwood 21 churches and amenities Hospital Hill area, the city wrote in an article in the centre and the area to the east such as a library, post office, Cowichan Leader in 1992 on courthouse and city hall. of the railroad referred to as the occasion of the city’s 80th more on page 6 the Townsite. anniversary.

Don Bodger

News Leader Pictorial

T

Small City in a Big Valley

6

Cowichan News Leader Pictorial / Vision Cowichan

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Friday, August 3, 2012

from page 5

Cowichan has a whole new face The population in the Cowichan Valley is continuing to climb at a steady rate.

Results from the 2011 Statistics Canada Census show a population of 80,332 for the Cowichan Valley Regional District. That’s up from 76,929 recorded during the last Census in 2006 for a 4.4 per cent increase.

Previous Census figures revealed a population of 52,466 in 1986, 60,560 in 1991 and 70,978 in 1996.

At the rate of growth being seen, economic development manager Geoff Millar forecasted in 2006 the region’s population would hit close to 100,000 by 2020. It might fall short of that now, but there’s every reason to believe it will keep going upward.

“Compared to the rest of the province outside of the Lower Mainland, we’re growing at a faster rate,’’ Millar said at the time.

The total number of private dwellings in the region is pegged at 35,922 according to Census information, with 33,163 occupied by usual residents. With a land area of 3,474.55 square kilometres, the population density for the valley works out to 23.1 residents per square kilometre.

The median age of the population is 47.2, with 84.6 per cent age 15 and older.

There are slightly more females than males, with 41,135 residents compared to 39,195 in the district.

The four age groups with the largest overall numbers are all consecutive from 45 to 64. Stats show 6,280 people between the ages of 45 and 49, 6,985 between 50 and 54, 6,805 from 55 to 59 and 6,775 from 60 to 64.

Those figures are also consistent with what’s happening across British Columbia. Three of those age groups also have the highest numbers in the province’s overall total of 4,400,055 residents - 350,600 in 45 to 49, 354, 610 in 50 to 54 and 323,335 in 55 to 59.

There are currently 2,050 residents aged 85 and older in the valley.

Interestingly, seven of the 10 municipalities with the highest proportion of persons age 65 and older are located in B.C. One of the highest concentrations of seniors is located in Andrew Leong nearby Parksville, with 38.6 per cent of the population fitting into that category.

Cowichan’s population is aging, with middle age now 47, and more than 2,000 people over 85.

More Census information regarding families, households and marital status will be released in September. Language details will follow in October.

For further Census information, go to www.statcan.gc.ca.

— Don Bodger

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Cowichan News Leader Pictorial / Vision Cowichan 7

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Friday, August 3, 2012

Shopping, then and now “(Cowichan Merchants) had everything they could cram in there.”

Tony Irwin

Bits of everything Don Bodger News Leader Pictorial

T

ony Irwin describes the downtown Duncan shopping environment in 1912 as more generalized than today.

Irwin brings a unique perspective as a former owner of Powel’s Men’s Wear, a longtime downtown business that began with his grandfather and a subject he’s been looking into extensively.

“I knew a fair bit from the family history,’’ he said.

“The research, I guess, is getting up to three years now.

“Looking back on it opened my eyes to things that were happening. You just see your own little part of it.’’

Irwin noted there were a lot of stores with a wide range of products appealing to the largest number of customers in 1912.

“The product selection was to try to make it possible to do as much of your shopping in one stop as was feasible,’’ he pointed out. “Another reason for the broad selection was the store owner’s interests.’’

As an example, Irwin cited H.F. Prevost who had a stationery store in town. He sold stationery, of course, but also sporting goods, candy, books, toys, china, cameras and he even had an ice-cream counter and soda fountain.

Prevost’s interests in hunting, fishing, golf, tennis, books, photography and boating were also reflected in his inventory selection.

The big player in town at the time was the Cowichan Merchants that had just rebuilt after a major fire in 1911.

“They had everything they could cram in there,’’ said Irwin.

Kibler & Truesdale, the pre-cursor to Powel’s, was one of two men’s wear stores that existed in 1912.

Imperial Gents Fashions was the other.

Imperial sold only men’s clothing while Kibler & Truesdale carried clothing and footwear.

“There were a couple of other stores that had men’s departments,’’ said Irwin. “This is what my focus has been on.

“The market for men’s wear was large enough that they did not have to carry any other products.

The main reason for this large market was clothing was more of a necessity than it is today. People needed the protection from the elements that clothing and footwear provided because they were out in the weather more than today.

Shae Clutesi assists Peter Stevenson to make a jacket selection.

“With the unpaved streets, walking was a dusty or muddy way to get around. Then cleaning their apparel with the harsh laundry processes of 100 years ago would wear it out faster than today’s gentle cleaning methods.’’

Conditions were certainly primitive with the

Kurt Knock

unpaved streets and limited wooden sidewalks compared to the way the downtown is maintained now.

One of the reasons Duncan split from the Municipality of North Cowichan was to make the improvements for a more inviting shopping area. more on page 11

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Cowichan News Leader Pictorial / Vision Cowichan 9

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Cowichan News Leader Pictorial / Vision Cowichan 11

Unique shops and satellite stores trends for downtown

Don Bodger

Ellen Lukaitis likes to take granddaughter Reid Lukaitis, 13, of Victoria shopping in downtown Duncan but dog Maggie has to stay at home. from page 8 The few cars around in 1912 offered little protection from the weather. Irwin cites cars as having a big influence on changes in clothing styles and shopping patterns through the years since 1912.

“You can shop easily at different locations and do not need to worry about dressing for the weather unlike in 1912,’’ he indicated.

Kibler & Truesdale eventually became Powel & Christmas when Irwin’s grandfather got involved in the men’s wear business. He had various partners before taking it over exclusively in the 1930s during the Depression and the business lasted until 2004, almost 90 years in total, when Irwin reluctantly closed it.

Downtown Duncan’s shopping core is continually evolving.

“One trend we’re sort of seeing is actually having satellite stores coming down from Victoria,’’ said Amber Hiscock, the office manager for the Duncan Business Improvement Area Society.

Outlooks for Men, Tulipe Noire women’s store and Skanda precious gems, all located on Station Street, are recent arrivals that fit the genre.

A wine bar and more restaurants with later openings are also changing the complexion of downtown.

“Downtown Duncan, believe it or not, is starting to have more of a nightlife,’’ said Hiscock. “There’s a lot of great restaurants. Now they’re all open at night and they’re spread out downtown. You’ve got a good variety and lots of choices.’’

The DBIA promotes downtown as a place to shop, eat and play, and is pleased to report occupancy rates remain high.

“We’ve only got maybe one or two empty storefronts and that’s it,’’ said Hiscock.

While new businesses have injected a different flavour to the downtown streets, some of the old standbys are still around and ensure Duncan maintains a past component to its present standards. A marketing research study conducted in July and August of last year determined several businesses have been around for generations, including oldtimers Dobson’s Paint and Glass (109 years), Griffith’s Plumbing (81 years), Martin’s Men’s Wear (79 years), Whittome’s Travel (76 years), Ingram Pharmacy (66 years), Bucky’s Sport Shop (64 years), and Island Savings Credit Union (60 years).

Ellen Lukaitis arrived in Duncan from Vancouver in 1955 and has always utilized downtown services.

“You shop where you earn your living,’’ she said. “That’s where I shopped mainly.

“Eaton’s was the big department store. I just loved Eaton’s. It had everything.’’

Lukaitis now takes her granddaughter, Reid Lukaitis, 13, on excursions downtown when she visits from Victoria. The Red Balloon has always been a favourite for them.

“I started taking her in the Red Balloon when she was three,’’ said Ellen Lukaitis.

Belongings is another store that’s a must on the Lukaitis shopping list and the restored Duncan Garage area is also a favourite. “I think they did a very good job there,’’ said Lukaitis.

“What’s really changed now is all the thrift stores. You just did not see them at all.’’

Accessibility is another big issue for Lukaitis. She lives close enough to walk downtown, but also uses the transportation system when needed.

“If I’m downtown and I buy more than I can carry, I take the taxi home,’’ she said. “More people are starting to take the buses and I think they’re great.’’

— Don Bodger

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Friday, August 3, 2012

Agriculture, then and now

Providing food a family affair Maeve Maguire News Leader Pictorial

O

ne hundred years ago, the early settlers in Duncan had established farms, had growing families, built businesses and agricultural cooperatives in and around Duncan.

The Cowichan Valley was known as one of the richest agricultural areas on Vancouver Island.

With all this activity, Duncan was an attractive place for wealthy Britons

who were looking to try their hand at farming. Remittance en, as they were called, received funds from their relatives in the United Kingdom to help sustain their farms.

In her memoir, Mr. Chemainus, Joy Lang Anderson quotes her father, Noel Lang.

“Quite a few of the Duncan people were Remittance Men. These were young men who had come out from England and staked a bit of property, where they were supported by their English families while they played at homesteading.”

The First Nations people were

Cowichan News Leader Pictorial / Vision Cowichan 13

“The butter and egg money went a long way in providing the groceries”

Joy Lang Anderson

courtesy Cowichan Valley Museum and Archive

Geoffrey Baiss operates a self-binder with horses, while haying in 1912. hired as labourers on the farms. In her memoir, And So They Came To Cowichan, Margaret W. Bishop recalls: “We had quite a lot of Indian labourers on our farm at Somenos, especially at haying time, and when the fields of potatoes were being harvested.”

Bishop explains how the duties were divided between her parents.

“Besides cooking and sewing,

Mother milked the cows (she told us of milking nine cows night and morning). She made the butter and looked after the poultry. The butter and egg money went a long way in providing the groceries. While she did the milking, Papa tended the horses, fed and watered the stock and did all the chores. It was also Mother’s job to cure the hams and bacon.” more on page 14

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Cowichan News Leader Pictorial — your community, your stories, at the standard you deserve

Thank you Cowichan for your support! which has allowed us to continue to bring you the best in BC and all of Canada

courtesy Makaria Farm

Heather and Brock McLeod operate Makaria Farm as part of a new wave of Cowichan farmers. fromn page 13 Bishop also describes the role the children played in tending the farm.

“We girls, as all the others in the family had done before, used to help in the garden and fields, weeding long rows of mangels, turnips, carrots, and helping to drop the seeds of corn and potatoes, to

mention only a few of the chores. Do you know that juvenile delinquents hadn’t been discovered by then?!”

In 1912, a new Agricultural Hall was built on Government Street. The Hall was the centre for all major town activities, including the Fall Fair and the Farmers’ Market, which was established in 1914.

Cowichan’s food basket growing a new kind of market

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Duncan is the heart of the Cowichan Valley, which is still one of the richest agricultural areas on Vancouver Island.

There are 700 farms in the region, a quarter of which are large farms, which provide 84% of Cowichan’s agricultural revenue.

Duncan boasts one of Vancouver Island’s most popular and well-stocked farmers’ markets.

While most consumers buy food in grocery stories, there is a trend toward buying locally grown products, which is helping farm-gate and farmers’ market sales.

Farmers are using internet marketing and social media to promote their farms, which is also helping to increase their revenue. Agri-tourism — agricultural activities that attract visitors to the valley — is on the rise thanks to the region’s 16 wineries, and specialty farms like Merridale Cidery, Tea Farm, and organic farms.

Livestock farming is on the decline due, in part, to limited access to processing the animals.

There are four government-licensed meat processing plants in the Cowichan Valley which service poultry and red meat.

Nearly half of all farm operators in the region are women, more than in the rest of the country.

The average age for a farmer is 54, though the next generation is buying into the farming life.

Brock McLeod, owner and operator of Makaria Farm, explained why he and his wife Heather moved from Victoria to start their 10-acre farm five years ago when they were in their 20s.

“Farming allows me to make a positive, meaningful and tangible contribution to society. I used to work in the B.C. Public Service; when I left my job, I thought I was forsaking public service, but, ironically, I feel like I do more to serve the public now than when I worked for government,” McLeod said.

—Maeve Maguire

www.cowichannewsleader.com

Friday, August 3, 2012

Cowichan News Leader Pictorial / Vision Cowichan 15

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Friday, August 3, 2012

Cementing B.C.’s greatness

Bamberton, then and now

Krista Siefken News Leader Pictorial

Y

ou may not be familiar with the full history of Bamberton, but you’re undoubtedly familiar with some of the B.C. icons its produced.

The Lions Gate Bridge. The George Massey Tunnel.

The Peace River dam.

They were all made from Bamberton cement. “It may be that “They just poured cement out of history repeats itself.� that plant and literally built B.C. — and most people have no idea,� said Maureen Alexander, manager of the Bamberton Historical Society.

She hopes that’ll change with this year’s 100th anniversary of the historic Bamberton cement plant, which was started by H.K.G. Bamber’s company, England’s Portland Cement Construction Company, in 1912. “He came out in 1911, researched lime stone deposits and found the limestone that (Robert Pim) Butchart was using across the inlet (at the B.C. Cement Company) came under the water and up onto this side, so he bought the land and built the plant,� Alexander said. more on page 20

Tennant

The Bamberton Cement plant began in 1912 and resulted in an instant community south of Mill Bay. courtesy Bamberton Historical Society

Changing to Serve you Better!

DUNCAN

MALL

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250.748.2942

Duncan Mall Administration

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Friday, August 3, 2012

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Cowichan News Leader Pictorial / Vision Cowichan 17

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Friday, August 3, 2012

CHEMAINUS

120 years

BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS 77 years

63 years

26 years

56 years

Chemainus & District Chamber of Commerce President, Peter Matthews We wish to thank everyone for their continuing support

Wendy, Jennifer, Sandra

Wendy, Jennifer, Sandra The Horseshoe Bay Inn Heritage Hotel, Neighbourhood Pub

& Cold Beer & Wine Store

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25 years

2010 Outstanding Customer Service

Dan Myers, Owner

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Store Managers

4 - 8377 Chemainus Rd. at Crofton Rd.

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Chemainus & District Chamber of Commerce 9796 Willow Street, Box 575 Chemainus 250-246-3944

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7 years

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6+ years

Sylvia & Aaron Holt

Michael Monk, owner

Your Family Food Store

6 years

Sue & Shaun Farrell

Peter Matthews President www.chemainus.bc.ca

“Golden Brush Award Winner”

13 years

22+ years

Michele & Greg Riley Store Managers

#7-8377 Chemainus Rd. COMPLETE DENTURE SERVICES 250-246-4674

Owner: Bill Jameson

Nathan, Tim & Justin Hollett

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5 years

Claire (owner), Louella, Bethani, and ‘Cider’

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1 year

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Robin Receveur, Assistant Manager and Glynnis Andre, Operations Manager Al Kipp, owner

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18

Cowichan News Leader Pictorial / Vision Cowichan

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Friday, August 3, 2012

Cowichan News Leader Pictorial / Vision Cowichan 19

Friday, August 3, 2012

CHEMAINUS

120 years

BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS 77 years

63 years

26 years

56 years

Chemainus & District Chamber of Commerce President, Peter Matthews We wish to thank everyone for their continuing support

Wendy, Jennifer, Sandra

Wendy, Jennifer, Sandra The Horseshoe Bay Inn Heritage Hotel, Neighbourhood Pub

& Cold Beer & Wine Store

250-416-0411 9576 Chemainus Road 250-416-0413

25 years

2010 Outstanding Customer Service

Dan Myers, Owner

McBRIDE’S SERVICE STATION LTD.

24 HOUR TOWING NIGHT CALLS, SUNDAYS & HOLIDAYS

9616 CHEMAINUS RD., CHEMANUS AIR CONDITIONING SERVICE

250-246-3341 or 250-246-3595

Owner: Brian Harris Community Driven...

That’s What We’re All About!

9790 Willow St. Downtown Chemainus 250-246-9412

5 years Artisan Style Bread & Pastries Baked Fresh Everyday!

Breakfast & Lunch All Day!

Store Managers

4 - 8377 Chemainus Rd. at Crofton Rd.

250-246-4346

cleanwarmth@gmail.com

Chemainus & District Chamber of Commerce 9796 Willow Street, Box 575 Chemainus 250-246-3944

9351 Trans Can. Hwy. Chemainus

250-246-4731

AUTO CENTRE

7 years

OPEN EVERY DAY Free internet access utopiabakery2@yahoo.ca

Kees & Wendy

Antiques, Collectibles, Clocks, Furniture, Jewellery and much more!

9756 Willow St. 250-246-4333 willowantiquemall@gmail.com

6+ years

Sylvia & Aaron Holt

Michael Monk, owner

Your Family Food Store

6 years

Sue & Shaun Farrell

Peter Matthews President www.chemainus.bc.ca

“Golden Brush Award Winner”

13 years

22+ years

Michele & Greg Riley Store Managers

#7-8377 Chemainus Rd. COMPLETE DENTURE SERVICES 250-246-4674

Owner: Bill Jameson

Nathan, Tim & Justin Hollett

#101 - 9844 Croft Street, Chemainus 250-246-1320 www.grapefullyyours.com

5 years

Claire (owner), Louella, Bethani, and ‘Cider’

WASH & FOLD SERVICE SLEEPING BAGS ALTERATIONS & REPAIRS DRYCLEANING DEPOT LAUNDROMAT

VAN ISLE SLATE Landscape & Masonry Stone www.vanisleslate.com Chemainus Industrial Park on Hwy 1

250-246-4773

Email: vislate@gmail.com

Brittany McDonald and Katie Kmet

C HEMAINUS I NN 9573 Chemainus Road, Chemainus 877-246-4181 www.chemainushotel.com

1 year

3 1/2 years Hand carved stone, fountains, gates, rain chains, garden ornaments, and much more!

Robin Receveur, Assistant Manager and Glynnis Andre, Operations Manager Al Kipp, owner

A-9780 Willow Street, Chemainus 250-246-9992

Al’s Asian Treasures Open Tues-Sun 10 am - 4:30 pm

9870 Croft Street, Chemainus Old Town

250-246-1444

#1 - 3107 Henry Road, Chemainus, 250.324.4444 IRON & METAL DRIVEWAY GATES

MID ISLAND CO-OP

For all your Petroleum and Convenience Store needs!

9355 Smiley Road, Chemainus 250-246-6600

20

Cowichan News Leader Pictorial / Vision Cowichan

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Friday, August 3, 2012

As the community prepares to usher in a new era at Bamberton, it is also embracing its past, recently marked with this sign.

courtesy Bamberton Historical Society

from page 16 Bamber brought several of his top-level executives from England to work at the site, and those executives brought their families, prompting the construction of Bamberton village’s first six homes.

Bamber and Butchart, meanwhile, were competitors until they merged their companies in 1919.

“It was a 50/50 split, but a lot of people think Butchart moved over to Bamberton and took over the company, and that’s not the case,” Alexander said.

After that, and until 1956, Bamberton was the only cement-producing company in Western Canada, and one of only three of that size in Canada.

Meanwhile, the village had expanded into a small town with homes, a school and even a community centre.

“They had a dance floor that was bigger than the one at the Empress Hotel,” Alexander said.

Competition from LaFarge’s mainland cement plant, and other factors, led to the plant’s closure in 1980, but it remained a cement distribution centre and left a historic legacy for Cowichan.

Tours of the heritage site continue on Sundays to this day. more on page 21

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Friday, August 3, 2012

Cowichan News Leader Pictorial / Vision Cowichan 21

from page 20

New town could potentially arise in similar fashion to the first It may be that history repeats itself at Bamberton, where a century ago this year a boom in industry generated a self-sustaining community.

With the historic site’s current developer, Three Point Properties, recently securing rezoning to allow for more industrial activity on the property, that could well be the case again.

“Bamberton might develop in a similar way to how it did 100 years ago, where the employment aspects of the site gave it its reason for being,” development point-man Ross Tennant said. “Once the jobs were here, the people came to live here, and the schools and recreation facilities were established.”

As it stands now, there are a handful of companies operating at the site, including timber-frame titans Macdonald & Lawrence — operating out of what used to be Bamberton’s old carpentry building — and Ruskin Construction, the heavy marine infrastructure firm that’s building the Mill Bay Marina and the new Johnson Street Bridge.

“We’ve also got some adventure tourism companies queueing up to come to the site, and recycling companies,” Tennant said. “The rezoning gives us quite a bit more land to work with. The dilemma for us was that of the 1,563 acres of the site, only 60 or so were zoned as industrial, and of those 60 only 20 were really usable as industrial land. So we were essentially trying to support the 1,563-acre site on 20 acres.”

Post-rezoning, however, gives the developers 270 acres to work with.

“It will make the economics of running the site a lot more viable,” Tennant said.

“In the long-term, I think it would be wonderful if we could have all the things happening here that made Bamberton so unique and compelling — that live/work/play (community),” he added.

“It may be that history repeats itself on the site.”

— Krista Siefken

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Health, then and now

Royal treatment at King’s Daughters’ Peter W. Rusland News Leader Pictorial

A

ccidents to appendectomies were treated at King’s Daughters’ Hospital.

Ironically, Duncan’s former facility perched on Cairnsmore lodge’s current site, had more beds than the modern Cowichan District Hospital, says retired KDH women’s-ward nurse Ellen Lukaitis.

“It was a great place to work,” she said of KDH that could handle at least

Andrew Leong, Small City in a Big Valley

Nurses in crisp white cared for patients at Cowichan’s first hospital, King’s Daughters’. Its replacement, Cowichan’s current hospital, is slated for replacement in about the next 10 years.

111 patients.

“We had a men’s and women’s ward, a maternity ward, a kids’ ward, and one ward upstairs with semi- and private patients.

Back then, family’s hired a RNs to ‘special” a patient in the hospital,” remembered Lukaitis, 82.

“We were like one big family there — KDH was old and creaked at night because we had hot-water heating.

“The kitchen had a dumbwaiter, and our cook, Mrs. Bull, made the best trifle.”

Guys hurt in Cowichan’s various logging operations “got some terrible accidents sometimes.”

“We had an OR and a surgical ward, and ER and an X-ray department.”

“We trained in hospitals and really got to know each other and trained on the wards,” she said of when doctors

Cowichan approaching dawn of new health day Health care quality in Cowichan remains high, but meeting demands of an aging population is the worry facing local and provincial brass.

Rob Hutchins, chairman of the Cowichan Communities Health Network, said replacement of Cowichan District Hospital, opened in 1968, is being planned by local leaders and the Vancouver Island Health Authority.

Cowichan regional hospital district board is raising valley taxes to gain its 40% share of that new hospital — the board now has about $7 million — though the price tag, site and size are still unknown.

Still, Hutchins realized care quality will suffer as demand swells on Cowichan’s well-equipped and staffed community hospital that doesn’t meet current seismic codes.

“CDH was build for a regional district with 35,000 people; now we’re at 82,000.

“There’s been some renovation (new pharmacy and ER) but it’s a community hospital in desperate need of replacement —it’s on the top of VIHA’s list after construction commences on the Comox and Campbell River hospitals.”

Options include renovating the current CDH, building a new hospital then razing the old one, or buying land and constructing a new facility elsewhere.

Either way, “we need to put this (project) on the top of province’s list,” Hutchins said, noting CDH’s chronic patient pinch.

“There’s no room for more beds,” he said of the current 95-some beds.

But the answer’s simply not building CDH a new patient-care wing with, say, 50 more staffed beds, to unplug its busy ER. “The length of stay in hospital has dramatically changed. We have more people going through those 95 beds, and home care and support are growing — if the answer is to add a wing, they’d have been pushing for that,” Hutchins said.

Meanwhile, CDH uses hospitals at Nanaimo and Victoria, and Vancouver’s trauma units, while patient loads on Cowichan’s 89-odd doctors is climbing.

“The ability to attract doctors is a struggle outside all urban areas. Of our 89 or so doctors, we have about 20 with capacity for more patients and the Division of Family Practice is determining how many people are unattached to physicians — and how many of the 89 are full-time doctors.”

Still, “the level and number of services at CDH meets the needs of what’s expected of a community hospital.”

Services span CDH’s three ORs with specialty surgeons — from urology, pediatrics internal medicine, and ear, nose and throat, to orthopedics — to radiology (CDH will share a mobile MRI),a six-bed ICU unit, maternity clinic, cardiac testing, cancer and mental health services, and more.

“Cowichan District Hospital is supported by over 900 staff that dedicates their professional careers to this amazing and rapidly growing island community,” said site director Peter Fahey.

CDH annually handles about 31,000 ER visits, 7,000 elective and emergency surgeries, 73,000 X-rays, a half-million lab tests, and 135,000 meals.

— Peter W. Rusland

made house calls.

“Doctors worked longer hours back, and there weren’t as many doctors back then.

“You could tell who was who; nurses wore white shoes and caps, and white dresses; doctors “Nurses wore white dressed shoes and caps and properly with suits white dresses; docand ties.” tors dressed propKDH’s pharmacy erly with suits and “was a ties.” hole in the wall in the basement — there were even rats down there,” Lukaitis said of the 1911 hospital razed after CDH opened in about 1968.

Lukaitis worked at KDH from 1955 to 1960, then 1964 to 1967 before retiring from CDH in 1978. “But once a nurse, always a nurse.”

KDH was called a cottage hospital, though it treated maimed and gassed veterans of the first and second world wars, noted Kathryn Gagnon, curator of the Cowichan Valley Museum housing a permanent KDH display.

“It felt like home, and people looked out for each other, but and when they moved to the big new (CDH) structure, there was a loss of that feeling that was never regained from KDH where there was a real sense of place.”

Lukaitis said CDH “made too many wards into administration offices — too many chiefs and not enough Indians.”

Ellen Lukaitis

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Friday, August 3, 2012

Cowichan News Leader Pictorial / Vision Cowichan 23

Fishing, then and now

The lure of angling Peter W. Rusland News Leader Pictorial

T

wo crossed fish illustrated on a plate from Duncan’s former, fancy Tzouhalem Hotel are proof of Cowichan’s sportsfishing glory days.

“What intrigued me,” said Kathryn Gagnon, Cowichan Valley Museum’s curator, “is the sportsfishing promotion of this area.

“Those two crossed fish show how strongly the Tzouhalem promoted itself as a fishing mecca during its heyday in the early 1900s when visitors stayed at the Empress in Victoria.

“When they wanted to do some fishing, and wanted to go north, they recommended the Tzouhalem for comparable quality.”

Luring fishermen and women here also happened through postcards, letterhead and ads, images the museum cherishes from when the Cowichan River was revered for its salmon and trout, a staple of the Cowichan people for millenia.

“These three hotels in particular drew people — Alderlea (nears Sands Funeral Home), Tzouhalem (Canada and Trunk roads, razed in 1990), and The Quamichan Hotel (The Commercial, now The Phoenix).”

“The Tzouhalem promoted The Cowichan itself as a fishing mecca River earned national heritage during its heyday.” designation in 2004 for stewardship with the community, and to recognize First Nations folks as its traditional stewards, she said, noting the river’s degradation by over fishing, logging, pollution and other factors.

“Whatever the Natives did, it didn’t harm the river, and when remittance men came, they could fish from a pristine river.

“When escaping London, this was God’s country.”

Remittance men — primarily men receiving family funds from Britain — arrived in Cowichan around 1900 as its fish and game, and farmland resembled those in the old country.

“Cowichan became a mecca for remittance men, but that started to disappear after the Second World War, when logging was full-speed in the 1940 and ‘50s, and a train arrived here every 10 minutes,” said Gagnon. more on page 24

Gagnon

courtesy the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre

In the middle of the 20th century, Cowichan Bay was a world destination spot for its salmon fishing.

24

Cowichan News Leader Pictorial / Vision Cowichan

Friday, August 3, 2012

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from page 23

Opportunities still there, but bounties hard to find

Andreas Berglund

Bill Bergen teaches his granddaughter the proper technique during the Family Fishing Weekend at Mayo Lake, Skutz Falls.

80

Fly fishing for trout , and some salmon species under certain circumstances, still lures anglers to the Cowichan River.

But Andreas Berglund of the 110-member Valley Fish and Game Club said rules about fishing the once-abundant river are complex, spanning provincial and federal jurisdictions.

“Basically, the rules are fly fishing only for trout — and chum and coho salmon when in season and in abundance.”

Berglund became familiar with fishing fracas after joining the Lake Cowichan-based club in 2004.

In 2007 he became a member of the sports-fishing advisory council for the Cowichan-Port Renfrew-Duncan area reporting to the sports fishing advisory board of B.C., a private anglers’ organization.

He also sits at the Cowichan Harvest Roundtable with federal Fisheries, Cowichan Tribes and different organizations fishing for salmon in Cowichan Bay or surrounding areas and the river.

“We discuss levels of fish in the river and oceans, and come up with recommendations for our local area.

Muddying the waters is provincial jurisdiction about river trout — mostly brown and rainbow — and federal control of salmon in the ocean.

Sport fishing for salmon — especially chinook — is hit and miss in a pool of rules.

“There’s been considerable improvement of stocks of chinook in the river, but we’re certainly not out of danger.

“Coho and chum, in most years, are in good abundance. The issues about fishing levels in the river are about chinook.”

Fishing regulations concerning the river are “a source of great frustration for sportsfishing.”

“The river’s been locked down to fly fishing only. People try to fish for trout. It’s a complicated set of rules of where you can and can’t fish,” Berglund said.

“You have to know the river exactly, and we want the province to simplify this.

“We want to come up with a set of gear that also protects the chinook, and that the Tribes are also comfortable with.”

He dispelled romantic notions of older anglers teaching new ones. “They can’t even teach kids to fish with a hook and line.

“There’s no question things have turned to the worse because of overfishing. We’re trying to find a happy medium and trying to be good neighbours,” he said, saluting the 100-member Cowichan Fish and Game Association.

“Things seem to be looking up for the Cowichan chinook, and the hatchery’s producing lots of eggs.

“Trout higher up in the river is still world class, and that’s where fly fishing come in, but there’s no data saying flyfishing helps the chinook stocks.”

— Peter W. Rusland

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Cowichan News Leader Pictorial / Vision Cowichan 25

PRMOTIONAL FEATURE

Giving your Middle School Child the Tools for High School

M

oving from middle school to high school can be a big step for many students, and guiding them through that transition can be a challenge for parents and guardians.

During the middle school years, you can help your child learn skills to build their con¿dence, manage their time, and be socially aware—skills that will contribute to their independence and success in high school, and life after school.

Deputy Head of Education at Queen Margaret’s School (QMS), Sharon Klein and QMS Junior School Principal Susan Cruikshank have many years’ experience helping young teenagers prepare for high school. They offer the following list of steps you can take to prepare your child:

Organizational Skills

and/or stationary calendars and agendas.

¾ Promote systems for organizing their personal ¾

belongings at school and at home.

Suggest ways to structure their school work by subject and content.

Technology Skills

¾ Support your child’s use of technology in a safe and ¾

positive manner. Their technological know-how is vital in high school.

Educate yourself on digital citizenship (how to use technology as a tool for learning) and Internet safety to support your child’s technological development.

Extracurricular Skills

¾ Enrol your child in community-based sports teams, theatre groups, or activities to build organizational and communication skills for high school.

¾ Encourage your child’s regular use of electronic

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¾ Encourage participation in groups, clubs, and teams to assist your child in building a supportive social network for their future.

Leadership Skills

¾ Get involved! Volunteer together for a local notfor-pro¿t organization. Involvement in community activities and events builds your child’s social skills, emotional intelligence and respect for diversity.

Communication

¾ Connect with your child’s teachers and advisors.

Two-way communication is important.

¾ Become involved with and attend school events.

It is a great way to stay informed and have a clear picture of the activities taking place at your child’s school.

C ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾

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on¿dence and problem solving are key attributes for success in high school. Building skills in the middle years leads to high school students who; are actively engaged in their classrooms are comfortable asking questions embrace opportunities to try new things participate in public speaking ¿nd balance between personal and academic demands are able to initiate and develop social and working relationships with peers, teachers, support staff, and beyond enjoy a vibrant high school experience.

26

Cowichan News Leader Pictorial / Vision Cowichan

Friday, August 3, 2012

www.cowichannewsleader.com

Education, then and now “It was basically slateboard writing — a black slate with chalk.”

Bob King

Wiping the slate

courtesy Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives

What is now Duncan Elementary School was built in 1913, and was called Duncan Consolidated Public School (shown here in about 1920) until 1946. the schools within its new boundaries.

“That was the one that burned down The first of those private schools Krista Siefken “It meant some sweeping changes in 1946,” King said. was Quamichan Lake School, built News Leader Pictorial for schools in the Duncan area,” King But 100 years ago, that school in 1905. said. meant Cowichanians studying past Students studying up to Grade 8, he creation of Duncan Students in Duncan attending Grade 8 could stay in the valley. meanwhile, were usually housed in a a century ago this year “The kids wrote exams after the single, all-grades classroom. means 2012 also marks the Somenos School, for example, suddenly had to pay tuition because they eighth grade, and anyone who needed “We haven’t got copies of any 100th anniversary of big were no longer living in the school’s to go on to school past Grade 8 had to texts they were using around 1912, changes in local education. jurisdiction. go elsewhere until 1911,” King said. but I think it was basically slatePrior to 1912, explains Cowichan The changes also meant Cowichan “Mostly it meant boarding in Victoria board writing — a black slate with Valley Heritage Schools Society presHigh School, built in 1911, was sudor Nanaimo. chalk — with not much in the way ident Bob King, local schools were “There were two private schools, of notebooks and that sort of thing,” all administrated by North Cowichan. denly in Duncan’s jurisdiction, and was therefore renamed Duncan High though, that would take some students King said. “There were a few pencils, But when Duncan became its own School. in the upper grades,” King added. and of course ink and ink wells, and city, it also became the overseer of all pen nibs, and their lessons basically came off a chalkboard produced by the teacher.”

Students worked mostly in groups, with older students helping the younger ones.

To the untrained eye, schools today might not appear very different from schools a century ago.

“And the teacher sort of worked in But that’s before you step into a classroom. between,” King said.

“Today schools still look and feel a lot like they did in the past,” says Joe Rhodes, superintendent of the Cowichan Valley School District, “but Studies include reading, writing and inside in the walls, things are beginning to rapidly evolve as the shift of control for learning is moving away from the teacher and on to the student.” counting, and perhaps some British The teacher’s role, says Rhodes, is shifting to more of a facilitator of knowledge acquisition, rather than the traditional deliverer of knowledge.

“Driven by technology changes, kids have the ability to learn what they want, when they want to, with whomever they want, as long as they have history. access,” Rhodes said.

“But I don’t think very much of it,” “This creates an enormous push against a system of education that is steeped in time-and-place learning.”

King said. “There wouldn’t have been And, in turn, this creates a tension for teachers to let students create their own learning experiences while still delivering the expected curriculum. much in the way of textbooks. All the “Hence the motivation to move to a more personalized learning experience for kids, instead of the industrial model that was pervasive for the past first textbooks came from Britain, and 100 years,” Rhodes explained. a lot of them were supplied by various “It requires a different skill set for teachers, learning to be comfortable with uncomfortableness. Instead of having total control of the learning that churches.” takes place in the classroom, they need to be much more flexible and adaptable to the learning needs of the students, and how they may demon“This was close to a period of strate that learning.” time when there were some very big Rhodes said it may be a challenge, but he’s confident Cowichan can transition to the place it needs to be “to ensure our kids reach their potential” changes coming from the Ministry of going forward.

Education,” King added. “The word — Krista Siefken was consolidation — they were trying to group various schools together and build larger schools.”

T

Today’s teachers teaching fewer facts, more about how to learn

www.cowichannewsleader.com

Friday, August 3, 2012

Cowichan News Leader Pictorial / Vision Cowichan 27

ACT NOW! Signs of Hearing Loss Self-Check ✤ Do people sound like they are mumbling? ✤ Do you find it hard to understand in meetings, restaurants and groups? ✤ Are you turning up the volume on the TV or radio? ✤ Are your social activities limited because it is difficult to hear clearly? ✤ Are friends and family repeating themselves?

If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, it is likely time to schedule a hearing assessment.

Who? At Act Hearing and Audiology, you will be seen by the owner, Leslie Peterson, a registered Audiologist with twenty years’ experience. An audiologist is a professional with a Masters’ or Doctorate degree in Audiology, who’s expertise includes the prevention, identification, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of auditory disorders.

What is new in hearing aid technology?

Hearing impaired individuals have a wide array of choices and options available to them. These include the following features: hearing aids that are directional and provide better performance in groups and noisy places, and Bluetooth compatibility to connect with other audio devices including televisions and telephones. In addition, one leading manufacturer has produced optional programming to assist those suffering from tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Leslie will work with you to select the most appropriate options for your lifestyle and hearing issues.

Where do I start?

The first step is a complete hearing assessment. From there Leslie will explain the results of the testing with you and make recommendations based on these results. This may include a referral to your primary care physician, future testing or a trial with hearing instruments.

Leslie Peterson, M.A., Aud (C),

Registered Audiologist Owner

When is the right time to get started?

If you suspect you have a hearing impairment, or if friends and family have commented on your hearing ability, the time to get started is now. It is ideal to detect and address a hearing impairment early, to remain engaged and enjoying the things you love to do.

In addition, individuals who begin the process earlier, often find it easier to adjust to amplification.

Why should I improve my hearing?

We now know there are many other side effects of hearing loss including impact on career, frustration, feelings of isolation, withdrawal from social activities and anxiety. Addressing and treating hearing loss has been shown to have a positive impact on well-being, both physically and emotionally. There is no better time to ACT! Part of Worksafe BC Provider Network VAC Health Identification Cards accepted

Open Monday - Friday 9-5, Evenings & Weekends by Appointment

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Cowichan News Leader Pictorial / Vision Cowichan

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Friday, August 3, 2012

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From one oldtimer to another: “Happy Birthday!”

For Royal LePage, it all started in 1913 with an innovative REALTOR® by the name of A.E. LePage in Toronto. 100 years later, we have grown to a network of over 17,000 Royal LePage REALTORS® across this vast country, serving the needs of our clients.

The staff and REALTORS® of Royal LePage Duncan Realty would like to congratulate the City of Duncan on their 100th birthday celebrations.

100 years and thriving.

Blair Herbert

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250-746-6621 1-800-933-3156

www.duncanrealty.ca

481 Trans Canada Hwy, Duncan BC

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Friday, August 3, 2012

Cowichan News Leader Pictorial / Vision Cowichan 29

Politics, then and now

Mudslinging made it happen The Duncan of first Mayor Kenneth Forrest Duncan wrestled with the issue of mud, while the Duncan of current Mayor Phil Kent battles questions of chickens in people’s yards.

“It was no uncommon thing to get a liberal douching of mud.”

James Greig

Krista Siefken News Leader Pictorial

M

ud and dust were likely factors in Duncan’s separation from North Cowichan in 1912.

In his book, Small City in a Big Valley, local historian Tom Henry explains the genesis of Duncan’s creation is obscure, but it’s

not unreasonable to assume the differences between farm and city folk played a role.

“Certainly Duncan’s merchants were grousing about the municipal government’s apparent favouritism of rural constituents in the early years of the century,” he wrote. “By 1907 they were indignantly threatening full-blown independence if North Cowichan did not start providing more services.”

Taxes were an issue, says

Henry, as was sewage, but dust and mud may have been the proverbial last straw.

“For a town that was boasting of its verdant setting, Duncan in the early 1900s produced a fantastic amount of dust,” Henry writes.

That dust didn’t include just dirt. It was a pulverized mixture of feces from creatures big and small — including “indiscreet humans.”

And in the winter, that dust became mud so deep locals

A bigger Duncan very much a topic of interest It was 100 years ago that Duncan said so-long to North Cowichan, and took 345 hectares with it.

A century later, those boundaries haven’t changed.

And only time will tell if Duncan’s bicentennial will celebrate a larger city, or the amalgamation of Cowichan’s urban core into a larger municipality.

But Duncan Mayor Phil Kent says there’s definitely room — and reason — for Duncan to grow its borders.

“I think the missed opportunity might have been when the regional district systems were being established,” he said. “The city might have tried to capture areas outside of its existing boundaries for the future.”

Many outside Duncan’s official border receive services from the city, not to mention shop in its stores and spend time in its parks, but don’t have a say via political representation.

Kent said it’s hard to say what new boundaries could look like, but the city has been looking at expansion into some of the Cowichan Valley Regional District areas in recent years.

“We’ve done some work toward getting feedback on that, working with the province on what would be a reasonable structure for expansion, and at this point from a technical perspective the province sees no issue with what we would be pursuing for restructure, but there’s the whole public portion of it,” Kent said.

Citizens of both the city and the impacted areas would have to be on board.

“In the past when there were talks about amalgamation or (restructure) they did not receive assent from the public, but that’s not to say (that will be the case in) the future,” Kent said.

“When we talk about things like transit and other services, can we gain better efficiency by having a larger city? Is amalgamation or partial amalgamation with North Cowichan part of the answer? What about restructure with the regional district?”

Those are questions that would need public input, Kent stressed.

“For any community to make progress — and that’s the motto on the crest of the city: unity and progress — people have to be actively engaged,” he said.

And as Duncan celebrates its past for its centennial, it also should be looking toward its future.

“I’m not suggesting Duncan will be a metropolis any time soon, but if you look at cities like Victoria or Vancouver, even 50 or 60 years ago, you see the differences,” Kent said.

“We often tend to plan too short-term. We’re trying to look 50 years into the future and see where we might be heading.”

— Krista Siefken

described a small lake at the corner of Craig and Station streets.

According to James Greig, “’It was no uncommon thing to get a liberal douching of mud when passing along the old wooden sidewalks.’

But Henry figures that had the winter between 1911 and 1912 not been so wet, the tension between Duncan and North Cowichan may have remained on a perennial low-boil.

As usual, says Henry, the streets turned to slime.

“Unending mud hole” was one description. “Slough of Despond” was another.

But the addition of nearly pure sewage pushed even the fence-sitting Cowichan Leader to call for action.

“The rhetoric played to the hand of the merchants who had been lobbying for a municipal split,” Henry writes.

W.H. Hayward solicited special legislation to allow Duncan to leave North Cowichan. Realtor Islay Mutter collected the necessary signatures from eligible voters. And Kenneth Duncan negotiated the new boundaries.

“Once set in gear the machine of independence moved swiftly,” Henry writes.

“On March 4, 1912, Letters Patent were issued and 345 hectares were severed from the southern portion of the municipality to become the City of Duncan.”

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Cowichan News Leader Pictorial / Vision Cowichan

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Friday, August 3, 2012

Leisure, then and now

courtesy Cowichan Valley Museum and Archive

Above is the Maple Bay Regatta as it looked in September 1913. At right, W.A. McAdam, after whom McAdam Park is named is shown at the Recreation Grounds in 1912 with cricket club he helped to form.

“Young remittance men who spent their days in overalls turned out to the formal dances wearing correct evening dress.”

Memories Never Lost

Old-fashioned fun and games

Maeve Maguire

News Leader Pictorial

I

n 1912, most people were employed in farming, forestry or mining work, which offered few opportunities for recreation.

Margaret W. Bishop in her memoir And So They Came To Cowichan explains.

“While their days to relax were not many, they were enjoyed to the fullest, and the few days in the year when large district gatherings brought friends together still stand out in the memory. I can think of three such days: The 24th of May picnic at the

Riverbottom (Sahtlam); the 1st of July celebration at Cowichan Bay; and the September Fall Fair.”

Bishop describes a winter wonderland we only sing about now.

“Those were the days when we used to look forward to snow and sleigh rides every year. Either in the one horse cutters with sleigh bells jingling or better still in the big bobsleighs, when the wagon box was filled with fresh clean hay and we, well wrapped in wool toques, mufflers, our big winter coats and warm blankets (even hot bricks) piled in with a party of our friends (old and young).

“A real old-fashioned sleighing party. The sleigh bells jingled, the moon shone brightly and we sang all the popular songs of the day.”

Cricket, basketball, field hockey, tennis, and golf were sports enjoyed by men and women. Young remittance men, sons of wealthy British families who came to Cowichan to farm, were a new class of resident that attracted wealthy visitors who enjoyed fishing and shooting, polo and regattas.

In Memories Never Lost, compiled by the pioneer researchers, the authors describe how these European settlers enjoyed a high-society

lifestyle.

“Young remittance men who spent their days in overalls, doing labourer’s chores while supposedly learning farming, turned out to the formal dances wearing correct evening dress and “smelling of cows and mothballs’.

“The society, which amused itself with balls in full evening dress, yachting, tennis, teas with damask cloths and silver tea service, existed side by side with the other older society which continued in its accustomed way, laboriously improving the farms year by year.” more on page 31

www.cowichannewsleader.com

Friday, August 3, 2012

Cowichan News Leader Pictorial / Vision Cowichan 31

from page 30

Entertainment and recreation choices are more plentiful than ever before in the Cowichan area Many of the same activities remain from 100 years ago.

Maple Bay Yacht Club, in its new location in Bird’s Eye Cove, still holds an annual regatta, tennis players still volley balls on the grass courts at the South Cowichan Tennis Club, and golf is so popular there are now seven courses in Cowichan.

Now though, recreational activities in Duncan abound; residents and tourists are provided endless opportunities to play. You can watch national and local productions in one of four performance arts theatres, delight in the Islands Folk Fest and other outdoor musical festivals at Providence Farm, or cycle from Shawnigan Lake to Cowichan Lake on the Trans-Canada Trail, crossing historic bridges like the Kinsol Trestle.

Water activities are prolific, with 20 marinas and several fresh-water lakes from Shawnigan to Ladysmith. On a hot summer’s day, you can ride a tube down the Cowichan River or swim at Maple Bay beach.

Food lovers have their pick from five weekly farm markets, including the well-known and well-stocked Duncan Farmers Market. Oenophiles can taste wines produced at 16 wineries. Others can sip cider from Merridale’s orchard, and let a beer quench their thirst at the Craig Street Brew Pub in downtown Duncan.

Duncan is home to many national athletes who have competed internationally in field hockey, softball, and para-alpine skiing, to name a few. At this year’s London Olympics three athletes will represent our region.

Michael Braithwaite, who learned to row at the Maple Bay Rowing Club, is a first-time Olympian participating in the men’s double sculls event. Veteran Olympian Emily Zurrer will defend Canada’s honour as a member of the national women’s soccer team. Three-time Paralympic medallist Richard Peters will represent Canada as a member of the national wheelchair basketball team.

— Maeve Maguire

Watch us Grow!

Why Shop at the GE Appliance Centre?

Special Occasions was a Cowichan Valley fixture for 26 years. Started in 1986 by two ladies who wanted to rent bridal dresses, it has evolved over the years to a full service party rental company. Current owners Gina and Nigel Smith purchased the company in 1999.

We greatly expanded our party wares inventory over the years, adding tents in sizes from 10x20 to 40x120’. We definitely had outgrown our little store. In April 2008 we moved to 2900 Allenby Raod, behind Janitors

Wa r e house.

A f t e r years of struggling in 1200 sq.ft., our two car garage at home and our friend’s barn, we now have everything under one 5300 sq.ft. roof, and

Andrew Leong/file

The Maple Bay Regatta is still a community highlight every September, it just looks a little different than it did in 1913.

Monogram lots of parking outside. In our new spot you can drive into the building to pick up.

We have also expanded our cake decorating and candy making supplies and have classes in the fall & winter.

Gina, Nigel and Sadie invite you to see our showroom. Open from 9:00-5:00 MondayFriday and 10:00-4:00 on Saturdays.

You can also see all our rental products on our website www.leisuretimetent.com.

If there is something you need that you don’t see just ask.

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We Service What We Sell

460 WHISTLER ST. 748-4368 OPEN 8-5 MON.-SAT.

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Cowichan News Leader Pictorial / Vision Cowichan

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Friday, August 3, 2012

Industry, then and now

150 years of Chemainus milling Don Bodger News Leader Pictorial

T

here are obvious things that have changed in the past 100 years of sawmilling in Chemainus.

Then again, some of the past practices are still reflected in how the mill operates today.

“The basic principles Manager Mike Shewof sawmilling here at chuk of Chemainus have not the current Western changed much over the Forest Prodpast century.” ucts mill pointed out he can only imagine what conditions were like 100 years ago by looking at the pictures in the Chemainus Valley Historical Society’s museum.

But Shewchuk has a fair idea being a third generation sawmiller, remembering stories from his childhood, as both his dad and grandfather worked for MacMillan Bloedel in Port Alberni.

“The basic principles of sawmilling here at Chemainus have not changed much over the past century,’’ Shewchuk indicated. “The current mill, and its predecessors, have always consumed large, high-grade logs with a focus on recovery of the highest value products as efficiently as possible.’’

Today’s mill naturally has the luxury of technological advances to attain those objectives, making lumber

Mike Shewchuk

production safer and more efficient than in the past.

“The one thing we do share with the sawmills of the past is a reliance on our people,’’ added Shewchuk. “Technology has certainly helped us to advance to where we are today, but the importance of people and the decisions that they make during the sawmilling process is key to our success.’’

He stressed sawmills are definitely much safer places to work today than yesterday.

“We have a keen focus on safety and we provide all of our employees with a thorough safety program that has the necessary resources provided to ensure its success. Safety, in fact, is one of our key performance indicators and is measured as such. I do not believe that this would have been as prominent in the past.’’

The first mill in Chemainus dates back to 1861 and many significant events occurred in the industry pertaining to the site as the years went by.

The book Water Over the Wheel

by W.H. Olsen depicts some of these events.

The Victoria Lumber and Manufacturing Company was operating the mill 100 years ago and hired H.R. MacMillan as assistant manager of the company in 1916.

MacMillan had already become well known as head of B.C.’s Forest Service at the time but, of course, turned out to be a huge player in the lumber industry in later years. He spent one year in Chemainus before moving on and is but one part of a colourful history of sawmilling in the district.

Surviving with the times The Chemainus sawmill’s survival during the global economic downturn can be attributed to a strategic plan by Western Forest Products to reposition the company and hard work by everybody to stick with the plan.

“All the mills and all of our Timberland operations, the changes the crew and the staff had to make is incredible,’’ said Makenzie Leine, communications manager for Western Forest Products.

“The reason for this mill’s ability to remain sustainable in today’s economic climate lies entirely with its workforce,’’ pointed out Chemainus mill manager Mike Shewchuk. “We focus on what we can control, that is safely and efficiently producing as much lumber of the highest value that we can from each log that enters the mill.’’

According to Leine, Western’s repositioning began in 2004 and ran through 2006 when acquisitions were made to increase the scale required of global lumber markets. From there, acquisitions were integrated, non-core assets sold and costs reduced.

The plan was put into place just in time, as it turned out, since global conditions worsened after that.

Chemainus Valley Historical Society, submitted

The deep-water port has always been key to Chemainus’ constant presence as a West Coast sawmill town

“We don’t want to see another 2008 that almost bankrupted everybody,’’ said Leine. “To tell you the truth, the markets haven’t really gotten any better.’’

The result of Western’s hard work was realized at the end of 2009 and the company has continued to move forward. “If you’re standing still, you’re getting behind,’’ reasoned Leine.

Western has now produced 10 consecutive positive quarters despite little to no improvement in market conditions and is now positioned for its next evolution — a refined focus on margin. Leine indicated a capital investment plan and commitment to the B.C. coast of $200 million in investments will be a big part of that focus.

Investments will increase the competitiveness of the Chemainus operation and Western’s other facilities, making them more resilient to market fluctuations while maintaining the ability to be a reliable supplier to customers, provide returns to shareholders and remain a stable economic contributor and employer on the island.

The current Chemainus sawmill, the fifth on the site, was built in 1984 at a cost of $22 million. It runs three shifts and employs 160 people.

Western considers Chemainus one of its most critical facilities because high value products are extracted from multiple coastal species..

— Don Bodger

www.cowichannewsleader.com

Friday, August 3, 2012

Cowichan News Leader Pictorial / Vision Cowichan 33

Celebrating our 11th Year!

Thank you to all our patrons for making our first decade a success!

A special thanks to staff members Barb & Brittny.

k’s RicJames St. www.billroutley.com

Cafe Cafe

3A-5838 Trans Canada Hwy. Duncan

Pots & Paraphernalia

HOURS: 9:30-5:30 Sunday 11-4

863 Canada Ave. • 250-748-4614

we are dedicated to providing our customers with quality service

Living in a small community and having a business for 30 years teaches you about relationships - with your customers, your staff, your suppliers. If you treat people well and make it your mission to connect them with what they want while maintaining a high level of beauty and function - it’s a good recipe for success. shop online at www.potsandparaphernalia.ca

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Cowichan News Leader Pictorial / Vision Cowichan

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Friday, August 3, 2012

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Nice people to paddle with!

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Cowichan News Leader Pictorial / Vision Cowichan 35

Explore warm, friendly g n i M n r i o

st

M

Cowichan Bay!

Ice Cream Parlour “Old Fashioned Style Ice Cream Made Fresh Daily on the Premises”

1765 Cowichan Bay Rd.

Formerly Udder Guys Ice Cream

The Mud Room clayworks Stop in any time to watch our potters spin the clay on the wheel.

Check out all the unique and useful creations, including our famous yellow glazed dragonÀy items.

1725 Cowichan Bay Rd., Cowichan Bay, BC 250-710-7329 themudroom.ca

Rob’s Lighthouse Eatery (beside Pier 66)

Now Serving our Fresh Catch for Lunch & Dinner — 7 days a week!

Open Year Round. Take Out or Dine In

Living in Cowichan, We are your connection to Victoria Buyers.

Come visit our office in Cowichan Bay.

PETER MILLER DIR 250-748-0320 petermiller@dfh.ca www.pmillerrealestate.com

Consistently Delicious!

NEW MENU Grilled Cod and Halibut Coleslaw, Tzaziki, Wraps & Paninis Call Ahead 250-597-2006

“Fresh off our own boats!”

cowichan bay seafood 1751 Cowichan Bay Rd. 250-748-0020 www.cowichanbayseafood.com

COWICHAN

Look for Rob’s Lighthouse Sculptures 250-597-2006

•COWICHAN BAY MARITIME CENTRE• Upcoming Workshops: • Boat building • Paddle Making • Canoe & Kayak Building • Ladies Woodworking • Marquetry

Marine Ways Meeting Room Rental Available Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre 1761 Cowichan Bay Road 250.746.4955 www.classicboats.org cwbs@classicboats.org

Explore Maritime History Preserving the history and heritage of BC’s maritime past. Come and view our exhibits along our 107 metre pier. Our distinctive buildings are designed to reÀect the surrounding landscape and reveal the rich maritime history of Cowichan Bay.

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Cowichan News Leader Pictorial / Vision Cowichan

www.cowichannewsleader.com

Friday, August 3, 2012

COMMUNITY DRIVEN

For over 20 years, Discovery Honda & our staff have given back to our community.

John Horgan

Tanya Thompson

Erik Jorgensen

Steve Vatcher

Cowichan Golf and Country Club South Cowichan Rotary Club Queen Margaret’s School Duncan Daybreak Rotary Club

Island Rallysport Club, Cowichan Valley Social Media Club Cowichan Valley Amateur Radio Society

Scouts Canada, Cowichan Football CV Breakers Swim Team Queen of Angels Kinsmen Club of Duncan

Lake Cowichan Volunteer Fire Dept.

Lake Cowichan Minor Hockey Association

Doug Connor

Melanie McKinnon

Mark Antoniuk

Arthur McKinlay

BC Forest Discovery Centre, Big Brother/ Big Sisters of Canada

Cowichan Valley Field Hockey, Cowichan Sportsplex

Cowichan Valley Rugby Club, Cowichan Exhibition

Duncan Volunteer Fire Department, Duncan Jr. Baseball Association

We are proud to have supported: • Golfers Against Cancer • Cowichan Valley Hospice Society • Cowichan District Hospital Foundation • Cowichan Community Options Society • Duncan Divas • Duncan Jr Baseball • Cowichan Sportsplex • Cowichan Valley Youth Soccer • Salvation Army • Dry Grad . . . and many more

Thank You, Cowichan, for supporting us for 20 years!

Kevin Smith

Dave Andrews

Trevor Sheck

Guy Jones

Mesachie Lake Fire/Rescue

Maple Bay Fire Fighter

Business Network International

Maple Bay Yacht Club

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@DiscoveryHonda

facebook.com/discoveryhonda

pinterest.com/discoveryhonda/

OPEN: MON.-FRI. 8-6. SAT. 8-6.

ON THE ISLAND HIGHWAY, JUST NORTH OF DUNCAN

email: sales@discoveryhonda.com

www.discoveryhonda.com

250-748-5814

OR

1-800-673-9276