United Church of Canada has long been more than a place of worship.
It’s a place that’s made efforts to be welcoming to everyone, including allowing women to be in leadership roles, welcoming of the LGBTQ2+ community, and has a history of social activism.
Powell River United Church, located at 6932 Crofton Street in Westview, has also long made outreach efforts to the community, such as hosting monthly dinners, weekly coffee meetups and meditation on Friday nights. A few years ago, qathet Pride youth group painted the church’s outside stairs rainbow colours to show support for the LGBTQ2+ community, but it has not been without controversy, as the stairs were hit with black paint soon after.
the church’s ongoing mission to create an inclusive space.
“We decided we wanted to make something that worked with the colourful rainbow stairs,” said Fraser. “So, what we did is, we contacted the artist, and she asked us to have our congregation each provide one word that described their church.”
Get the Peak to Go iPhone app now available in the App Store or iTunes
Fraser said the two artists started working on June 26 and finished the morning of June 30. It would be hard not to notice the bright whimsical colours painted on the door frame, along with images of a black bear and an orca near the rainbow stairs.
The church recently invited two artists from Quadra Island, Jen Watson and Paul Doust, to paint a mural on the outside entrance to the building.
Open Heart Ministry for Powell River United Church representative Doe Fraser spoke with the Peak about the mural and its connection to
Get the Peak to Go iPhone app now available in the App Store or iTunes
“Everyone put in their word, and we ended up with four categories: love, faith, community and justice; that’s what they felt we stood for,” said Fraser. “We took all of the words we received and used an AI [artificial intelligence] process to produce images that reflected those meanings.”
On the top of the door frame is a glowing red heart, painted to represent the motto, “to serve with love”, and the dogwood crest represents peace and a foundation in faith, explained Fraser.
“Service is a big part of us [congregation members] for the community,” said Fraser. “The bear represents feeding and in harmony with nature, the mountains and the orca for being rooted and grounded. We chose, quite specifically, to put two separate trees; there’s a dark
City-owned land sales supported by mayor
In light of a recent Peak poll, use of city land endorsed by about 82 per cent of respondents
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
City of Powell River mayor Ron Woznow believes there is strong community support for selling or leasing city-owned properties to help with city taxes and to fund city initiatives.
The Peak issued a poll asking: “Do you support the utilization of some of City of Powell River’s 160 properties to generate revenue and reduce maintenance costs.”
There were 355 responses, with 291 votes, or about 82 per cent, in agreement. There were 64 no votes, or about 18 per cent opposed.
Woznow said the results were not a surprise to him.
Woznow said he hears two things from other mayors regarding city properties. One is that Powell River is so lucky to have 160 cityowned properties, and the second is: why isn’t the city developing them?
“So, from my perspective, and this was almost from the day that I was elected, I followed up with other cities,” said Woznow. “I went to Port Alberni and I saw what they had done with cityowned properties, and the
enthusiasm for city council in utilizing them. The chief administrative officer said city council keeps staff running all the time to look at opportunities for utilization of city lands, and they’ve got excellent agreements with the First Nations that are around Port Alberni. So, that’s basically what I have been trying to do in Powell River.”
Woznow said back in 2021, the city was looking at the issue of land utilization and received a $20,000 grant. The city, he said, allocated another $20,000 and paid a consultant $40,000 for a study.
“What the consultant did was look at multiple uses of city-owned land, in categories such as industrial, residential, business and affordable housing,” said Woznow. “He looked at 25 specific properties and indicated these were ones set up for short-term, medium-term or long-term development. A lot of the legwork has been done.”
Woznow said shortly after he was elected in 2022, he wanted to push for a tiny homes program, because he had looked across Canada and the United States at successful programs.
“To me, it just seemed natural, but it never went forward,” said Woznow.
At the June 17 committee of the whole meeting, council heard a presentation from Michael Gelber, who proposed a tiny homes project consisting of 200 tiny homes, aimed at addressing the critical shortage of
affordable housing in this community. Gelber’s proposal included the prospect of using city-owned land for the project. Woznow said such a project would not only assist in housing people who have difficulty affording housing, but it would also create jobs.
“Powell River is a perfect location,” said Woznow. “It would create economic development that’s a spinoff to local businesses, and it would add to the range of housing in the community.”
Woznow said it is important for the community to offer an array of housing options for people living here, and for people who want to come here.
“Powell River has never been one thing,” said Woznow. “It has always attracted people with a range of interests, a range of financial backgrounds, et cetera.”
While there has been public opposition to the use of the old arena lands, Woznow said that is just one out of 160. He said it is important to understand that the Catalyst Paper Tis’kwat mill has shut down, going from several thousand employees years ago, to none now.
“We were once the largest producer of newsprint in the world, but things have changed,” said Woznow. “When things change, you have to have an open mind, even with the old arena site. It’s important to look at concepts, see the total benefits to the community, and then decide.”
While city council has not
been receptive to many of Woznow’s ideas, he plans to continue his advocacy.
“Elected officials were elected to develop strategic approaches and then rely on staff to provide the background so that councillors can make good decisions,” said Woznow. “I can’t see that would ever change from my position, given the feedback I’ve received from other mayors.
“When taxes are going to go up 11 or 12 per cent and we have 160 properties that we could use in some manner, I’m pretty sure I’m going to stick with that.”
Woznow said that sale or leasing of city properties could go to reducing taxes, or money could be used to support affordable housing. He said being agreeable to make changes would send a signal to major industry.
“The sale of the last piece
of property from Domtar at the old mill site has been completed,” said Woznow.
“When a solid business looks at whether or not to come to Powell River to utilize some of these lands, they look at the city as a whole. If they see a track record of council not being able to make pretty simple decisions to have a positive impact on the community, they may just say, well, maybe we’ll go across to Campbell River, Port Alberni or the Comox Valley. That’s a subtle point that is important to remember.”
Woznow said in order to be more efficient with future development, the city needs to add planning staff.
He said in talking with other mayors, if development is going to take nine months to get approvals versus four months, it makes a significant difference for developers.
“If we utilized some of our city-owned properties and generated some revenue, then there’s the opportunity to increase the capability of our planning department, so then you have a positive spinoff effect,” said Woznow. “Our planning department does a fantastic job, but they can only deal with so many projects at a time.”
Woznow said he has been buoyed by the results of the Peak poll, which, he says, is reflective of commentary he’s hearing in the community.
“Everywhere, people approach me and ask: ‘Why aren’t you doing anything,’” said Woznow.
“We’ve had a study done and we’re sitting here three or four years later. People are largely going to say it’s a waste of money, because there is no impediment to making those decisions.”
FORTUNATE OWNERSHIP: City of Powell River mayor Ron Woznow believes that the city should make use of some of its 160 properties to help underwrite taxes and other city functions.
PEAK ARCHIVE PHOTO
Art connected to inclusive space
tree and a light tree, that comes up the arch to make the heart, to ensure uniqueness is something that we embrace and we wanted.”
One example of congregation members serving the community is by hosting monthly spaghetti dinners, which have grown in popularity, and now, for summer, hosting a monthly barbecue that’s open to the public.
“We made a decision last year that we would make local outreach our priority, to serve with love locally,” said Fraser. “We just finished doing community meals on Saturday and Sunday for the last three months.”
Fraser said the church received a $45,000 grant to provide eight meals a month for free to the community.
“Every Monday and Thursday there
will be a lunch for seniors and of course our Monday night spaghetti dinners,” said Fraser, adding that they are also providing people who need work experience in the kitchen a chance to work at the community meals.
“In the past, the spaghetti dinners were by donation, and we would get between 60 to 80 people,” said Fraser. “But once it became free, we had up to 120 people.”
The community barbecues are also drawing attention.
“We had 83 people show up in June for a barbecue,” said Fraser. “During our our meals, we have been providing a family service, so parents coming with their kids have a meal, and then Brenda Hill, who’s our family service outreach person, would take the kids into another area and do a family time with them, and the par-
ents could have a coffee, sit, and have a breather.”
Fraser said they picked Watson and Doust because of their dedication to inclusivity.
“The stuff that she has done, and where she comes from is her from her heart, and from inclusion; all those things spoke to us,” said Fraser. “She spontaneously invited some children to come and help paint on the wall so they could be part of the process.”
Fraser said congregation members had been talking about having a mural painted for a while now, but everything just fell together at once, and the mural finally became a reality.
“An anonymous donor helped [financially], or actually, two or three of them,” said Fraser. “The artists were going to be in Courtenay at that time, so it all fell together. You know, karma.”
Delegation raises composting questions
Resident in southern regional district requests facility for organics at Black Point
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
qathet Regional District directors heard a presentation that promoted collection of compostable materials in the southern reaches of the regional district. At the June 25 commit-
tee of the whole meeting, Chester Wilson appeared as a delegation, appealing for a steel container for food waste in Electoral Area C. Wilson said residents south of town drive a considerable distance if they want to dispose of their compostables at the qRD solid waste facility. He said the same goes for people in Lund.
“I can’t keep compost more than two or three days,” said Wilson.
He said at Black Point, a building was constructed and has a safe barrier to keep bears out.
“It would be a lot easier for everyone if we didn’t have to drive all that way to drop off a couple of little cans,” said Wilson. “We are talking about hundreds of trips. It would probably take 2,000 little cans to fill up a dumpster.
“It isn’t just me. From Myrtle Point to Saltery Bay, it would eliminate a whole lot of traffic and gas.”
Wilson said there is room for a metal container for compostables at Black Point. He said the containers are not a big expense to begin a program.
“What people are doing is dumping in the bush,” said Wilson. “I’ve seen a bear in my yard, nosing around. Rats, bears and raccoons are trying to get the compostables.”
In correspondence to the regional board, Wilson stated that people try to compost in rural areas but it attracts bears. He stated that compostable waste has to be removed almost daily because of the health issues and odours.
“The facility at Willingdon has containers for compost that are made of steel and can be sealed,” stated Wilson. “There have not been any bear issues to date.
“There is another recycle station located in Black Point that is capable of having a fully contained lockup and does not yet have a steel container for food waste. A compost container at this station would eliminate hundreds, if not thousands, of individual trips to the only operating compost fa-
Local Author David Dumaresq will present his new book The Shame Game: Stolen Lives, on the devastating impact of identity theft and hidden costs of shame and redemption. The presentation starts at 5 pm at Powell River Public Library. For information, email Mark at mmerlino@prpl.ca.
cility in the region.”
Wilson stated that he was requesting that regional board directors consider the low cost and high impact solution of locating a compost bin south of town.
At the committee meeting, Wilson said people from Myrtle Point, south, would be inclined to use a station at Black Point.
Electoral Area C director and board chair Clay Brander asked staff if the option proposed by Wilson had been contemplated in the solid waste management plan.
Manage of environmental services Jason Kouwenhoven said he would have to review the solid waste management plan.
City of Powell River director Rob Southcott said his
family has been composting for as long as memory serves. He said he would imagine there are people throughout the region who do that as well. He said what he has done is freeze compostables so they don’t emit odours.
“I am totally in support of composting,” said Southcott.
Electoral Area E director Andrew Fall asked Kouwenhoven if Wilson’s request was something that could be looked into.
Kouwenhoven said the question has been posed before and he has been looking into options for compost collection at rural depots. He said he didn’t have information for the committee meeting but he should be sharing it very soon.
PAINTING PROJECT: Quadra Island artists Jen Watson [above] and Paul Doust [not pictured] recently finished painting a new mural on the outside of Powell River United Church. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Two electric buses coming
BC Transit plans to replace two heavy-duty diesel buses early in 2026
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
City of Powell River is scheduled to receive two battery electric heavy-duty buses early in 2026, which will replace two diesel-powered heavy-duty buses.
At the June 25 qathet Regional District board meeting, during a report on rural transit, BC Transit government relations senior manager Rob Ringma said BC Transit is well down the path of procurement of battery electric buses. He said 10 buses in Victoria have been commissioned and are being pressed into service.
“We plan to have two buses allocated to Powell River,” said Ringma. “They will be deployed in the conventional transit system.
“We’ve done a lot of work with the city in their facility. We’ve looked at the charging facility
and the charging capabilities and what infrastructure can be inputted there. We’ve completed design work to see where that infrastructure needs to be placed and how they can be operationally ready for electric buses.
“From an implementation perspective, we’re looking at April or May of 2026, so we hope to have buses in the region and rolling around local streets in that April or May time frame. My hope is that it will set the stage, eventually, for moving some of our light duty services, our rural routes, to battery electric as well.”
Ringma said it’s great that Powell River is on the forefront.
“This is with the goal of trying to electrify as much of our fleet as possible by 2040,” said Ringma.
In terms of scope of the first phase of this program, eight BC Transit systems are lined up for electrification projects between now and 2027. Ringma said these systems include Kamloops, Kelowna, Regional District of Nanaimo, Nelson, Powell River, Sunshine Coast, Victoria and Whistler.
“Initial planned fleet purchases include 131 battery electric buses (125 heavy duty, six light duty),” said Ringma. “Supporting infrastructure includes 160 plug-in depot chargers.
“For Powell River specifically, working with the city, we have completed our infrastructure designs to allow us to plan the installation of the required charging infrastructure in the Powell River Transit operations and maintenance facility. We hope to start construction and installation of the charging equipment in October 2025.”
Ringma said BC Transit has two heavy-duty battery electric buses and two charging points planned for City of Powell River and these will replace two of the heavy-duty diesel buses currently in service.
“Pending on time delivery of the required battery electric buses from our supplier, we hope to have the two buses arrive in early 2026 for commissioning and testing, with the goal of pressing them into regular transit service by spring of 2026,” said Ringma.
Hospital MOU to be reviewed
Regional Hospital district directors to provide feedback on proposed document
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
qathet Regional Hospital District board has referred a proposed revised memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) back to staff to solicit feedback from hospital board members.
At the June 24 regional hospital board meeting, directors discussed an MOU proposed by VCH between VCH, qathet Regional Hospital District, Sea to Sky Regional Hospital
District and Sunshine Coast Regional Hospital District.
The new MOU is designed to replace the original MOU from March 31, 2014.
According to a staff report, the language in the revised MOU could be interpreted as being overly obligatory and the staff report offered suggestions that neutralizes the MOU.
City of Powell River director Cindy Elliott said the MOU had been drafted by VCH. She asked if there had been input from the three board chairs regarding the MOU.
Electoral Area B director and hospital board chair Mark Gisborne said it had not gone before the three chairs. He said that with the proposed motion on the meeting agenda that the board accept the MOU, he would be more comfortable with a different motion
GREEN INITIATIVE: BC Transit is procuring battery electric buses to add to its fleet, with two of the vehicles designated to come to City of Powell River in 2026. BC TRANSIT PHOTO
Powell River mayor Ron Woznow said the allocation of battery electric buses is a significant development.
“BC Transit recognizes that it was an integral part of our strategic plan,” said Woznow. “In our operation, we’ve looked for opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Obviously, getting two electric buses complements what
we have been doing.
“One of our strategic priorities is to work toward climate change mitigation. This is an excellent example.”
Woznow said city staff and BC transit have developed infrastructure design that is almost completed.
“Things are moving along,” added Woznow.
where members of the board provide their input.
“I can take that input to the other chairs,” said Gisborne.
“There has been discussion by the three chairs to have a joint session on the central coast between Sea to Sky, Sunshine Coast and qathet hospital districts, where we can discuss what all three parties want. There are some concerns that we run into that Sea to Sky may have already done and we don’t have to reinvent the wheel.”
Electoral Area A director Jason Lennox said he wanted to hear comments from chief administrative officer Al Radke about the MOU being overly obligatory. Lennox said in the staff report, he had seen where passages from the MOU have been removed.
“Are we going to have dif-
REVIEWING LANGUAGE: qathet Regional Hospital District directors want to review a proposed memorandum of understanding with Vancouver Coastal Health that changes some language from the original MOU from 2014.
ferent policies for different boards?” asked Lennox.
Radke said that was his question, too. He said he met with the staff member that put the MOU together and there was a frank discussion.
“Directions were just to comment and provide feedback,” said Radke. “I don’t know when the chairs are going to meet again. It might be worthwhile to share suggestions and come back to a
future meeting with everyone’s thoughts.”
Lennox said he found it interesting that the language that Radke had proposed in his staff report is out of the Hospital District Act, whereas the extra verbiage around commitments have actually been added to the MOU by VCH.
Gisborne said he liked Radke’s suggestion that directors can take the MOU home as homework and let
him know their thoughts. He said he expected a meeting of the chairs sometime within the next two weeks.
“If you want to go that route, you can fill my email inbox with suggestions,” said Gisborne.
Corporate officer Michelle Jones suggested a motion to refer the matter to staff to bring to a future meeting. The hospital board carried the recommended motion unanimously.
PEAK ARCHIVE PHOTO
Wildfire under control
Haslam Lake area blaze suspected to be human caused
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
A 0.66-hectare wildfire near south Haslam Lake is now under control.
According to Coastal Fire Centre, the fire is located approximately five kilometres northeast of Powell River in the southern area of Haslam Lake
“It was detected [July 3] into the
early evening and the current size is just over half a hectare,” said Coastal Fire Centre fire information officer Sam Bellion, on July 4. She added that it was classified as out of control and was suspected to be human-caused.
“In the early hours of the fire, we had two initial attack crews, as well as two response officers on site, and they were supported by four air tankers, which were blanketing the area with retardant. That is going to allow those two initial attack crews to go in and work the ground.”
Bellion said on each of the attack crews, there are four crew mem-
Financial report receives approval
City to send statement to provincial ministry of municipal affairs
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
City of Powell River’s statement of financial information (SOFI) has been approved by city council.
At a July 3 meeting, acting chief administrative officer Mark Brown said SOFI is an annual submission required by the Province of British Columbia, to be sent to the ministry of municipal affairs.
Council carried a motion that the city’s 2024 statement of financial information be approved for submission to the ministry of municipal affairs, and that the mayor and chief financial officer be authorized to sign the statement of financial information approval form.
bers, plus the response officers, so there were between eight and 10 crew members at the fire site on July 4. She said it is an active site in terms of personnel.
“Today, they are hoping for the ground crews to get in there and do the work they need to do, so I’m not anticipating seeing any air support for the next few hours, but that can always change, depending on fire behaviour,” said Bellion.
As of July 7, Bellion said the fire was still just over half a hectare in size, and that there was an initial attack crew on site, along with an initial response officer, to continue mop-up efforts.
According to a staff report, the Financial Information Act requires each local government in BC to submit a SOFI report to the ministry of municipal affairs by June 30 of each year. The report stated the city had been granted a three-day extension by the ministry due to staffing shortages.
The SOFI report indicates the city has financial assets of $75,465,076, with liabilities of $56,801.248, for net financial assets of $18,663,828. The city has non-financial assets of $216,897,999, for an accumulated surplus of $235,561,716.
In terms of remuneration to elected officials and staff, remuneration for mayor and council in 2024 was $251,400, with expenses of $43,037.
In terms of city employees earning more than $75,000, there were 73, with remuneration of $8,081,193, and expenses of $48,596. The total remuneration for city employees was $16,185,170, with $249,427 in expenses.
Employer-paid benefits amounted to $4,327,822 for a total in remuneration and expenses of $22,094,837.
In terms of suppliers of goods and services amounting to more than $25,000, the city spent $25,096,795, and an additional $2,241,410 to suppliers of goods and services amounting to less than $25,000.
According to the SOFI report’s contingencies, commitments and contractual rights and obligations section, as of December 31, 2024, there were various legal claims pending against the city arising from the city’s normal course of operations.
The report stated that on April 2, 2024, Graham Infrastructure LP and Graham Infrastructure Ltd, which was the contractor for the consolidated wastewater treatment plant, initiated litigation against the city and others claiming compensation for alleged delay and direct costs under its contracts with the city for the treatment plant, totalling $38,423,718. The report stated that the likelihood of the claim being successful is indeterminable.
On May 6, 2024, Associated Engineering initiated litigation against the city, claiming alleged unpaid fees for consulting services provided to the city during construction of the wastewater treatment plant. The claim is for $1,097,915, and similar to the litigation from Graham Infrastructure, the likelihood of the claim being successful is indeterminable.
CREWS ONSITE: A wildfire in the Haslam Lake area, suspected to be human-caused, is under control, according to the Coastal Fire Centre.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Community forest expenditure endorsed
Council deliberates allocations to city and for community grants
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
City of Powell River Council has approved a Powell River Community Forest expenditure of $560,387.88 for the spring grants allocation.
At the July 3 city council meeting, chief financial officer Mallory Denniston provided councillors background on community forest grants. She said Powell River established the community forest corporation almost 20 years ago and that it is fully owned by city taxpayers.
“When the corporation started to earn a profit, city council created the Powell River Community Forest reserve fund,” said Denniston. “Annually, the profits and interest earned in this reserve is transferred to the community forest reserve fund, held directly within the city.
“The council of the day decided that the community forest reserve fund bylaw would restrict funds to capital projects that benefit the community. Historically, funds from this reserve have been granted externally to nonprofit organizations, as well as internally to city assets that benefit the community.”
Denniston said examples of city-owned assets that benefit the community are Powell River Recreation Complex, the track, the sea walk, the bike park, and various trails and parks. She said these are called community assets. The city’s sewer and water services, for example, would not be eligible for community forest funding under the current bylaw, she added.
“It is completely and fully within council’s authority to change this bylaw to allow the community forest reserve fund to be used for any other purpose,” said Denniston. “Over the 20year history, approximately $19 million has been spent and is committed to city assets, such as the recreation centre, the track and the sea walk. Approximately $12 million of this fund has been granted externally to nonprofit organizations, mainly for capital projects that benefit the community.”
Denniston said in order to maintain the recreation complex, which has passed its useful life, the 2020 rehabilitation plan estimated $24 million in upcoming capital costs. She said construction costs have increased between four and five times since the rehabilitation study was completed.
Blocked Content
“It is anticipated that the estimated costs will be much higher than $24 million,” said Denniston. “However, for the purposes of today’s discussion, the total capital cost estimate
DEBATING FUNDS: Powell River Community Forest has, for nearly 20 years, supported community and city projects, with the 2023 dividend, portrayed in the photo, bringing in a record 6.3 million. The 2024 dividend was smaller in size, so city council wrestled with how to allocate the funds to community organizations, as well as to city projects.
for city community assets will be $43 million in the coming five years, even though we know it will be significantly higher.
“How will the city fund this $43 million in community asset capital costs? Council may direct other reserve balances to be used, but even with this additional funding, there will still be a funding shortfall that will need to be funded through property tax increases.”
Denniston said if the community forest funds had not provided money externally to nonprofit organizations, the internal funding shortfall would be $12 million less.
“This is not to challenge in any way the community benefit from grants being donated externally,” said Denniston.
She said, however, that when community forest funds are granted externally, property taxes need to increase to make up for the loss of funding that would otherwise have funded the city’s internal community assets.
“To summarize, when the city donates Powell River Community Forest reserve funds externally, rather than using it to fund city-owned community assets that have a funding shortfall, the city must find another source of revenue to fund these capital costs,” said Denniston. “This other source of revenue is tax increases.”
This news is censo r ed by US social media giants, Syrup is a social newsfeed supported by Canadian jou r nalists. Blocked Content Blocked Content
Denniston said for the 2025 community forest fund process, council determined that the community forest funds be allocated internally and externally. In the 2025 budget process, council provided direction that the total grants to nonprofits be limited to 10 per cent of a three-year rolling average of the community forest yearly dividends. This direction resulted in a 2025 grant amount of $425,314, said Denniston.
The dividend estimate for 2024 initially was $600,000, said Denniston. The financial plan bylaw was adopted in March 2025 with the $425,314 allocation. She
said on April 29, city staff members were notified that the 2024 dividend was updated to $3.7 million.
“The question is, should the city change the grant amount approved in the 2025 financial plan?” asked Denniston. “The answer is no because it was not provided until a month after the financial plan was adopted. Council may, however, amend the 2025 financial plan at any point.”
Denniston said the 2025 financial plan includes a grant funded by the community forest reserve of up to $425,314. She said the 2025 property tax levy was increased 1.7 per cent to fund this grant.
“If this amount is granted, there is no further impact to property taxpayers,” said Denniston. “A grant amount of $748,494.09, as proposed by the committee of the whole, would increase the 2026 property tax by a further 1.2 per cent, with a cost to an average single-family dwelling of approximately $35 more in taxes.”
“In conclusion, these are extremely challenging financial times,” said Denniston. “The city’s community assets have passed their useful lives. The recent inflation in the construction industry has only broadened the infrastructure funding gap.” After extensive discussion by councillors, councillor Cindy Elliott made a motion to approve grants from the community forest reserve fund for a total of $425,387.88. Rob Southcott made an amendment to increase the amount to $560,387.88 to fully fund the Powell River Academy of Music roof.
Blocked Content
In Elliott’s motion, the academy of music roof funding was $145,000, but Southcott wanted to bump it up to $290,000 so that the roof could be quickly replaced. The amendment carried.
This news is censored by US social media giants, Syrup is a social newsfeed supported by Canadian jour Blocked Content
This news is censored by US social media giants, Syrup is a social newsfeed supported by Canadian
This news is censored by US social media giants, Syrup is a social newsfeed supported by Canadian jour nalists.
On the main Powell River Community Forest motion, as amended to $560,387.88, it passed, with councillors Jim Palm and George Doubt opposed.
PEAK ARCHIVE PHOTO
Our understanding of PTSD has been expanded
It has been 80 years since the end of World War II. Many Canadian soldiers returned from combat to resume their civilian lives. There was no support for the emotional upheaval they endured during four years of hell on earth.
It would be several decades before we as a society began to realize the pain and suffering that a whole generation of Canadians had experienced. Now we know!
Now we have a name to describe what happened when they and other soldiers from other wars returned to take up their lives. We finally understand post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the impact it has on individuals. We also know it
LETTERS »
LIVING WELL
By Deborah Joyce
is not limited to combat situations.
The Diagnostic Statistical Manual-5 (DSM-5) describes PTSD as “exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violence.”
The fifth edition of the DSM has finally recognized
Community commitment
I want to respond to Michael Gelber’s presentation on tiny homes [“Councillors discuss tiny homes,” June 26].
While the ideas embedded in Michael’s proposal are progressive and achievable, the real story here is his commitment to his community and his willingness to thoughtfully engage. There are heroes among us.
For too long, we have made decisions through an economic lens, often at the expense of community and culture. We are now facing the consequences of this short-term thinking.
Michael’s proposal considers both financial and cultural factors. We know
We respectfully acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional and treaty lands of the Tla’amin people.
Published every Thursday by Pacific Coast Publications Limited Partnership.
REACH US
Phone 604.485.5313
publisher@prpeak.com • prpeak.com
Unit F, 4493 Marine Avenue, Powell River, BC V8A 2K3
Member of the Canadian Community Newspapers Association and the British Columbia Yukon Newspaper Association.
intimate partner violence as an experience that can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder. It also includes the “witnessing” of violence toward others. PTSD can occur after repeated exposure to traumatic events over a period of time, or it can be the result of a single violent event such as a car accident or other events causing physical injury.
What distinguishes posttraumatic stress disorder from other stressful situations, such as acute stress disorder, is the presence of a fear of death. Some people who experience events that, while not physically life threatening to the individual or others, can feel threatened emotionally and psychologically.
that when a culture is strengthened, new economic opportunities naturally arise.
When you also consider the potential financial benefits of stress reduction in systems such as health care, social services and policing, along with the benefits of an increased sense of safety and community belonging, it becomes difficult to oppose.
I fully support [City of Powell River] councillor George Doubt’s motion for a staff report and ask that it consider both economic and social/cultural factors.
The future well-being of this community depends on our ability to balance these elements.
Maureen Mason Cranberry
DELIVERY RATES: 1 year: $68.25 incl. GST
MAILING RATES
Texada and local area:
$109.20 incl. GST
Within Canada: $191.10 incl. GST
PUBLICATIONS MAIL REG. 40069240
Office pickup available for addresses in a non-delivery area
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Full, complete and sole copyright in any advertising produced by Pacific Coast Publications Limited Partnership is vested in and belongs to Pacific Coast Publications Limited Partnership. No
The qualifier in all situations is the subjective internal response of the individual. In other words, what is traumatic to me is not necessarily a traumatic event for someone else. Each of us is not the standard for determining what others feel and experience.
Individuals who are living with PTSD will generally experience flashback memories, gaps in memory, distorted and disturbing negative thoughts, mood swings, avoidance/isolation, low self-esteem and low confidence, and persistent feelings of fear, anger, guilt and shame. We also can observe, in some individuals, reckless self-destructive behaviours, hypervigilance, exaggerated
startle response and poor concentration.
It is clear that children as young as six years old and under can suffer from PTSD after directly experiencing trauma such as exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury and sexual assault. There are many programs that address the trauma that children experience when exposed to intimate partner violence.
Other events that can impact the emotional well-being of children are parental breakups that are intensely adversarial. When children are witness to extreme verbal attacks and negative comments about the separating partners it can be very stressful and conflict-
ing for children. These behaviours can result in a child experiencing trauma over the family breakdown. Our understanding of posttraumatic stress disorder has been greatly expanded in the past two decades. It is a very debilitating condition. June is PTSD awareness month in Canada. If you or someone you know may be experiencing some of the symptoms of PTSD, please contact a mental health professional. You can recover from PTSD.
Deborah Joyce is a registered psychotherapist with a practice in Powell River and Comox Valley. Questions can be forwarded to her through the Peak
EARL ALMEIDA circulation director
TANYA HILL reporter
KELLY KEIL publisher SHANE CARLSON editor PAUL GALINSKI reporter
SANDY ADAMS
Tour leaves politicians fuming
Conservatives say
BC and federal governments have failed to support local
shipbuilding
BY ROB SHAW
Politicians from different parties toured North Vancouver’s Seaspan shipyards recently, emerging with differing opinions about the ongoing scandal involving BC Ferries’ decision to build new ships in China.
Federal Conservatives concluded their tour lamenting prime minister Mark Carney has failed to seize the moment to expand domestic shipbuilding at Seaspan using the BC Ferries contract for four new ferries.
“We’re subsidizing the offshoring of these jobs to China,” said North IslandPowell River MP Aaron Gunn, who visited Friday, July 4. “I don’t think it’s right. And I don’t think it should have ever happened.”
BC Conservatives left the shipyard blaming premier David Eby for failing to grow Seaspan with a promised 2021 shipbuilding strategy, and for not intervening to block the governmentowned BC Ferries from contracting with the hostile, authoritarian Chinese regime.
“Is this the right time to be giving all your money
to China, when they are going to turn around and use it against us?” said Harman Bhangu, LangleyAbbotsford MLA. “Or is it time to take this seriously and create some good-paying jobs?”
The BC NDP government came out of its Seaspan tour on Thursday to address the BC Ferries China scandal head on in remarkably candid fashion.
Just kidding.
Deputy attorney general Niki Sharma posted a short video online that didn’t contain the words ferry, ferries or BC Ferries.
“These shipyards are critical to Canada's future, and we are lucky to have worldclass shipyards that are so busy right now,” said Sharma. She declined an interview request.
The video failed to acknowledge the sudden visit to Seaspan could be in any way connected to the province’s scrambled, damage control response to the national political crisis, which has left wide swaths of the BC NDP’s organized labour base furious.
Sharma added that “we will keep working with the federal government and all partners to build up our domestic ship building capacity.”
The video gave the distinct impression the province has been active on the file, when all evidence appears to the contrary.
Gunn said he “wasn’t expecting Seaspan to be as blunt in their commentary
Letters to the Editor/Viewpoint
about what was going on” but that he was impressed at its ability to build large navy and Coast Guard ships.
“They were very clear that the contract was structured in such a way they wouldn’t be able to qualify, but were clear they would have liked to build these ships,” said Gunn. “They want to be part of building ferries in BC. The ships they are building now for the navy are bigger and more complicated than ships they’d have to build for BC Ferries, so it’s not like it’s outside their capabilities.”
The Opposition federal Conservatives intend to recall the transportation committee to ask questions about the BC Ferries deal with China, including demanding answers from housing minister Gregor Robertson over why the Canada Infrastructure Bank is providing almost $1 billion in financing.
Eby spoke to Seaspan a week ago, according to his office, though it’s unclear what was said. Eby also pledged to speak to Carney about the issue, but it’s not clear if that happened either.
In the meantime, opponents continue to hammer the BC and federal governments over their inaction.
“China is using predatory pricing to corner the market and build up their shipbuilding capacity, and we all know their primary geo-political objective for the next decade or two is to take back Taiwan,” said Gunn. “So it seems like we are directly funding our adversaries.”
Eby has dismissed concerns about China’s military ambitions, role in fentanyl trafficking, human rights abuses, support of Russia in its illegal invasion of Ukraine, and interference in Canadian elections, saying British Columbians just want the new ferries delivered quickly and cheaply.
Contracting with a European shipyard would cost $1 billion more, he has said. Gunn said doing business with a stable country allied to Canada’s international interests is worth the money.
Bhangu said he emerged from the Seaspan tour confident that if BC Ferries and the province would slightly delay the first of the new ships (from in-service from China in 2029 to completed by Seaspan by 2032), or get the first ship built by an allied shipyard and then the rest by Seaspan, it could help kick-start a new local shipbuilding industry with good jobs and economic benefits.
“They would just love to start making ships here because after 2029 it clears up for them quite a bit,” said Bhangu.
He scoffed at Sharma’s empty video.
“There’s no substance behind those folks,” he said.
“I don’t think they are serious about this. It’s like they don’t believe in British Columbians to do amazing things anymore.”
Rob Shaw is a BC legislative journalist who writes for Glacier Media.
The Peak publishes letters it receives regarding the stories on its pages when space allows, as long as letters are signed, dated, and include the writer’s address and a daytime telephone number for verification. We do not publish anonymous letters.
The exceptions are those letters which may be libellous, in bad taste, or describe an incident involving other people which, to be fair, should allow both sides to be aired in a news story.
Letters should not exceed 350 words and Viewpoints must be approximately 500 words. The Peak reserves the right to edit based on taste, legality, clarity and length.
Opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor and Viewpoints are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Peak or its employees.
CROSSWORD
Half-century celebration
Powell River Otago Rugby Club hosted a 50th anniversary celebration at its clubhouse in Cranberry on June 20. Current, former and original club members attended, as did visitors from Japan, Texas, California, Montreal, Toronto, Saskatchewan, Alberta and other parts of Western Canada.
2.
3. From left: Mikayla Likar, Alec Ross and John
4. From left: Catherine Peterson-Flewelling (her husband was Bob “Flewy” Flewelling (19392020) was a founding member of Otago) and Karl Fix
5. Paul
and Thais
1. From left: Kasper Walraven, Dave Irving (Otago past president), Shingu (past president of Osaka Gentlemen), Steve Baller and Miki Oku
Tyler and Shayna
Bakker
Galinski (original Otago member)
Galinski
6. From left: Terry Catherinchuck, Steve Baller, Dave Lee [top], Gordon Clarke and Nabyl Mehrbour
7. From left: Andrew Foster and Alyssa Collister
8. From left: Bob Beardmore and Rob Kimball (original Otago club members)
9. From left: Jim Turner and Mark Toorenburgh
10. From left: Andrew Foster, John Riehl, Lance Dabison, Rob Rumley and Brendan Davies
11. From left: Bert Vernaskari, Ken Parsons (Otago) and Paddy Ross (Nanaimo Hornets)
12. From left: Rick Kotzian, Bert Vernaskari (Nanaimo Hornets, and he toured with Otago), and Lee Burridge (Cowichan Rugby)
13. From left: Shelby with Wil Beardmore
14. From left: Bob Beardmore, Jack Beardmore, Andre Berthiaume and Stuart Hotston
15. From left: Delaney Woods, Tom Woods (played for team Canada 1987-1991) and Eliza Woods
Prestige, prize money on the line
Competitors from all over Canada and around the world will be spring-boarding and underhand-chopping for prizes and prestige at Powell River Logger Sports (PRLS), which takes place at the Logger Memorial Bowl at Willingdon Beach on Saturday, July 12, and Sunday, July 13.
TANYA HILL thill@prpeak.com
More than 60 competitors are expected at this sanctioned event
through the Canadian Loggers Sports Association (CANLOG). World-renowned champions
Mitch Hewitt, Allison Briscoe and Stirling Hart will be attending, plus local champion competitors
Tyler Brady, Julian Welp, Michelle Silvester, Verjall Ham, Danielle Ceulen, Keenan Young and Rosalea Pagani.
The opening ceremony will be-
gin at 12 pm on July 12, including bagpipes and dignitaries; there will also be a beer garden, draws for prizes, a silent auction and food booths. Entry to the event is by donation to Powell River Action Centre Food Bank.
"There's about 62 competitors this year," said Silvester, a competitor and PRLS treasurer. "I'm looking forward to seeing all those
competitors, and the crowd always makes all the volunteer time worth it."
Logger sports weekend is entirely volunteer driven by volunteers like Silvester and Laura Passek, who organizes the carving competition.
"We are adding another relay this year," said Silvester. "We have four teams entering so it might be extra
entertaining for the audience."
Silvester said former PRLS president Bob Marquis asked her to be on the board when the games relaunched just under a decade ago.
"I attended a volunteer meeting because my great-grandfather competed, not in Powell River but up in Bella Coola," said Silvester. "I was sitting at a table with a group of people and Bob walked up to me and said, 'you're on the board.'"
Silvester has been competing in logger sports events in qathet and elsewhere since 2016.
"I had some family history of competing, and then I had gone to Port McNeill's event to learn about logger sports," said Silvester. "We had a Powell River team back then that used to always meet and train."
Many competitors try to do the
CANLOG circuit; after Powell River, there will be logger sports events taking place in Campbell River, Cowichan and Port Alberni.
According to the Sunshine Coast Tourism guide: The springboard, the underhand chop and the axe throw events started more than a century ago in logging camps up and down the coast, including in the qathet region. In the evenings, loggers would entertain each other, showing off their skills.
In 2023, the provincial government proclaimed July 15 as Logger Sports Day in BC.
"I think there's a lot of behind the scenes that people don't think about, like, for example, two of our board members and a volunteer drove all the way to Port McNeill to pick up wood," said Silvester.
PRLS gates open at 9:30 am on Saturday at Willingdon Beach.
The carving competition started July 9, at the old Civic Arena site.
11« LOGGER SPORTS
WEEKEND CHOP: Powell River Logger Sports is back Saturday, July 12, and Sunday, July 13, at Willingdon Beach’s Loggers Memorial Bowl. MICHELLE PENNELL PHOTO
Carving competition a highlight for spectators
Laura Passek and Bob Marquis relaunched logger sports competition a decade ago
TANYA HILL thill@prpeak.com
Logger Sports is back Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13, at Loggers Memorial Bowl at Willingdon Beach. However, the carving competition started in the early morning on Wednesday, July 9, and continues through the weekend.
CREATIVE COMPETITION: Chainsaw artists will transform trees into art during the annual Powell River Logger Sports competition at Willingdon Beach. MICHELLE PENNELL PHOTO
10, but it's been 12 carvers for quite a few years now."
Both the logger sports weekend and carving competition relaunched a decade ago, thanks to former logger sports world champion and former Powell River Logger Sports president Bob Marquis, and longtime qathet resident, volunteer and carving competition coordinator Laura Passek.
This year there are 12 carvers competing, two from the qathet region: Jay Perrin and Clint Blaney; the rest come from around the world.
"I started this 10 years ago," said Passek. "It was my idea to bring in the carvers."
After a long hiatus from logger sports due to family tragedy, Marquis decided he wanted to start the games again; that was 10 years ago.
"He wanted to start it up again, so he came and asked me to help him," said Passek. "We started out with eight carvers, and then grew to
The spectacle and artistry performed by the carvers each year is a big draw for qathet residents and tourists alike, and the backdrop of Willingdon Beach at sunset makes the giant wood sculptures even more illuminating.
"When we first started back up we actually caught the attention of the New York Times," said Passek.
"What happened was they [writers] were going by in their boat and they saw a whole whack of people on the beach, so they turned around and went to the wharf, then they walked to the site and walked through and watched some of the events and the carvers."
Passek said the carving competition is now the second largest event in Canada.
"The folks in logger sports and in the carving events are in what they call the competitors circuit," said
Passek. “I'm excited to see Benji Waretini-Hemara, from North Vancouver and Kamron Garbe from Armstrong; both are amazing."
The first-prize winner receives $5,000. Second and third prize winners also receive a handsome sum of money.
Passek also coordinates volunteers, which can be a stressful task.
"I was very worried about it in the beginning, because I had maybe 10 to 15 people," said Passek. " But many people signed up at the last minute and now we have close to 40 volunteers."
With the PRISMA Festival and International Choral qat̓ᶿaymɩxʷ (Kathaumixw) recently ended, volunteers can burn out, said Passek. Everyone is welcome to drop by the carving area to watch the local and international competitive artists in action, and vote for their favourites.
CARVING ARTISTS: Laura Passek [standing, fifth from right] has been the Powell River Logger Sports carving competition coordinator for the past 10 years. The photo above is of the competitors from 2024. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
13« CARVERS
SUDOKU
Defender from Quebec joins Kings
Chad Lebeau brings experience to lineup
Powell River Kings have bolstered their defence group for the upcoming BC Hockey League (BCHL) season with the signing of 2005-born defenseman Chad Lebeau.
The 20-year-old from Repentigny, Quebec, brings 82 games of junior experience to the team, split between Fort McMurray Oil Barons (AJHL) and Weyburn Red Wings (SJHL), where he most recently played.
DOUBLEHEADER ACTION:
Powell River Minor Baseball Association’s under 13 players travelled to Port Alberni on June 21 to play a doubleheader. Port Alberni won the games 14-9 and 17-15, but a team spokesman said the Powell River team was in both games. In the back row [from left] are coaches Chris Carlos, Mike Doxsee and Garret Gentile. In the middle row [from left] are Connor Gustafson, Griffin Fraser, Skyler Bedard, Milo DeWolfe, Max Turner, Jordan Barrows, Blake Lefler, Declan Paul, Riley Ellwyn and Zach Labree. In the front row [from left] are Myles Rockwell, Jackson Parsons, Neddy Hender, Tye Doxsee, Greyson Carlos and Alex Devlin. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
"Chad is the type of player you want on your team," stated Kings’ head coach and general manager Stephan Seeger Jr. "He is coming from the SJHL, where he made it to the league finals. He is big, strong, and takes pride in the little details that keep the puck out of the net."
Lebeau is a left-shot defender who stands at six feet, two inches tall. According to Seeger, he is expected to be a leading force on the defensive side of things next season.
"He is a physical presence with a great first pass and heavy release on his shot," added Seeger. "He will be a calming presence on our blue line with his
reliability and will give out some very heavy body checks when the timing presents itself."
This past season in Weyburn, Lebeau recorded nine points in 41 regular season games and had three points in 15 playoff games. Entering his final year of junior hockey, he is looking forward to coming to Powell River and getting the Kings back into the BCHL playoffs.
"I'm very excited to get started in Powell River,” stated Lebeau. “I've heard lots of good things about the town and players. My expectations are to work as a team to get into the playoffs and earn the respect of others in the league."
Baseball under 15 players have been busy getting ready for a full season of doubleheaders and tournament play. In the back row [from left] are assistant coach Brenden Frehlich, Kirk Rockwell, Zach Salmond, Jack Murphy, Gabe Cudmore, Tanner Ciarniello, Matt Murphy, Blake Peters, assistant coach Ryan Milne and head coach Scott Peters. In the front row [from left] are Tiernan Vasseur, Jack Baker, Grayden Kendrick, Daelin Austin, Linden Frehlich and Cameron Milne. Not in the photograph are Cole Milleur, Trey Lingard and assistant coach Travis Lingard. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MOVING WEST: Veteran defender Chad Lebeau moves to BC Hockey League for final season of junior eligibility.
BUSY TEAM: Powell River Minor
Farmers’ markets bring millions into economy
No need to wonder where food came from when buying local
TANYA HILL thill@prpeak.com
The summer season is here, making it easier to find fresh local produce grown in the qathet region.
According to a recent (2023) provincial economic impact study completed by BC Association of Farmers' Markets (BCAFM), BC farmers’ markets contribute more than $232 million to the economy and generate positive ripple effects for surrounding businesses.
The regional report looking at the Sunshine Coast, including Powell River Farmers' Market (PRFM) and Sechelt Farmers' Market, both BCAFM members, found that the overall economic impact was an estimated $5.2 million coming into the region, due to folks buying at farmers' markets and also visiting and shopping at nearby businesses.
The annual direct sales at the two Sunshine Coast farmers' markets was $3.4 million; on average, folks spent $41 per trip to the farmers' market in both qathet and Sechelt; in peak market season there was an estimated 346 shoppers per hour at the PRFM, and 397 per hour in Sechelt.
These statistics and numbers may not mean much to those concerned about contending with higher food and living costs and general inflation, but with the threat of US tariffs, climate change and other outside threats, supporting local farmers and strength-
ening food systems might be a way to combat that fear.
"Back in March, we were really watching the news and this uncertainty that was growing around the tariffs; when you have these kinds of events, much like we did with COVID-19 or the atmospheric rivers, there's always this surge of people wanting to buy local," said BCAFM membership and programs manager Melissa Maltais. "I was trying to think of ways to capture this momentum, and get people invested, not only financially, but also with their time in going to the farmers’ market."
So, the 2025 BC Farmers’ Market Summer Challenge was launched. Folks can sign up on the BC Farmers’ Market Tasting Passport app to complete five local actions that benefit BC farmers, food entrepreneurs and small businesses: Buy food from BC farmers and food entrepreneurs; make markets a weekly or monthly routine; walk, bike or take transit to a market at least once this season; add farmers’ markets to summer travel itinerary using the BC Farmers’ Market Trail; and follow markets online or subscribe for updates.
The market trail map is a great way to find out where farmers' markets are when travelling in BC. PRFM has been on the trail map for awhile, and now the Centralized Farmers' Market (CFM) has recently been added.
"We are a member of BCAFM and we are listed on the map," said Kate Sutherland, an organizer with CFM. "This means we are able to accept BC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupons."
Households enrolled in the program can receive up
to $27 per week in coupons for up to 16 weeks, which can be spent at any BCAFM member farmers' markets.
"There's always been this conception that it costs more, and you know, sometimes it does," said Maltais. "The quality of my dollar goes far at the farmers’ market; I bought lettuce at the farmers’ market a week ago, and it's still fresh, and I have no problems eating it."
Maltais emphasized that there is nothing wrong with shopping at big box grocery stores, and that everyone, in some way, has to, but the quality is noticeably different, because fruits and vegetables are transported to the stores from far away, and so are not as fresh.
"[Produce at a farmers' market] is usually picked fresh that day, so the nutrient density in that is much better," said Maltais. "I'm not discounting the grocery store, that's where people have to shop, but if you have the opportunity to start shifting some of those buying habits to the farmers’ markets, then everyone is better off."
Each year, nearly one million tourists visit BC farmers’ markets, and according to the BCAFM, 30 per cent of Sunshine Coast respondents to the provincial im-
pact study are reported to be day-trippers or tourists.
"Having more than one market in a smaller place happens quite a bit," said Maltais. "Prince George has two markets, same day, same time; Revelstoke as well, same day, same time."
But, Maltais said once people settle into their groove, generally things work out in the long run both for customers and farmers.
"You can't meet the needs of everybody in the community sometimes," said Maltais. "If it works out for the better and more people are served, then that's great."
Help Shape Healthcare
in qathet
The qathet Division of Family Practice is seeking two Community Board Directors for a two-year term.
We invite applications from individuals with shared values and diverse perspectives and experiences, particularly in the following areas:
Member engagement and strategic communications Partnership and community engagement (including experience with health authorities or the Ministry of Health)
Financial oversight and risk management
Scan the QR code or email gchartier@prdivision.ca to learn more.
Application deadline July 25, 2025
IMPACT ASSESSMENT: The 2023 BC Farmers’ Market Economic Impact Study found that Sechelt and Powell River farmers’ markets brought in millions of dollars to the Sunshine Coast region that year. JOHANN VINCENT PHOTOGRAPHY,
Upgrades underway at Edgehill
Addition and renovations will add five classrooms, opening up 120 new elementary spaces
TANYA HILL thill@prpeak.com
Highly anticipated new additions, upgrades and renovations to Edgehill Elementary School have been in the planning and design stage for a while, but now permits are in place, the construction crew is mobilized and ground is finally being broken on the site, according to qathet School District (qSD) director of operations Jared Formosa. At the qSD board meet-
ing on Wednesday, June 25, Formosa gave a detailed look at what was happening at 7312 Abbotsford Street, with timelines, design drawings and reassurances that student life would not be disrupted due to the construction.
"The last update given was pre-construction; for this update, we have broken ground, we've gotten permits and we're fully mobilized," said Formosa. "So, what you are looking at is the balance of five new classroom spaces, the media and tech room, new music room, the expanded student support services and the gym space."
For the past few months, in order to have construction ongoing with school in session and then throughout the summer, school staff had to be prepared for a little bit of a shuffle.
"Kudos to the school staff, they did an unbelievable job packing up already," said Formosa. "In September, one classroom will move into the portable and the other one will switch places with the library, and the library will exist in this halfarea next year, where they're doing upgrades."
The Peak reported previously that through $16.5 million in provincial funding and $250,000 from the school district, the addition and renovations will add five classrooms, opening up 120 new elementary spaces for students. They also include sustainable and energy-efficient designs, a new multipurpose room, a media-technology room, and dedicated learning spaces for students with disabilities or diverse abilities. The new classrooms are expected to be ready for students by
North Island Dental
Cyrus Bachus
spring 2026.
"As we go into summer, we're looking to do the existing classroom upgrades," said Formosa. "Some major ones include the mechanical HVAC upgrade, lighting upgrades, a ceiling upgrade and some of those classroom relocations we spoke about."
During spring break in March, higher risk construction activities took place, including covered area demolition and structural investigative work. In May, three natural gas boilers were removed to make way for three-phase electrical infrastructure.
Beginning in July and August there will be movement of the intermediate classroom into a portable classroom, as well as setting up a temporary library for next fall. In September there will be additional electrical upgrades taking place.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: qathet School District director of operations Jared Formosa gave an update to school trustees on the progress of construction at Edgehill Elementary School, at the board meeting that took place on Wednesday, June 25.
Three hikers ascend Skwim
It may be summer, but there's still snow in the alpine
TANYA HILL thill@prpeak.com
Many folks basked in the sunshine on Tuesday, July, 1, either at the beach or the lake, to celebrate Canada Day. qathet resident Amanda Hagglund decided to do something a little different by plunging into icy waters on Skwim Mountain, while on a hike with friends.
Skwim is an alpine hike about an hour from downtown Powell River, with a panoramic 360-degree view from the summit, which
is 1,697 metres above sea level.
"It was me and three friends, no one else was up on the mountain," said Hagglund in a message to the Peak. "The hike is about an hour to the general area, but there's lots to explore from that point."
Hagglund said the ascent was quite steep, and to reach the summit, it took the group another 45 minutes of hiking.
One of the hikers, Ali Moore, was the photographer of the day, and took photos of the group hiking up the snowy ridge, and of Hagglund, who seemed to enjoy the sun while sitting in the snow and swimming in a glacial lake on the mountain.
"Relaxing at the Skwimming pool. Epic day in the mountains, July 1," Hagglund stated in a post
in the Blackberry Festival Edition!
The qathet Blackberry Festival is back this August! This beloved annual street party draws thousands of locals and tourists, eager for live music, art, and delicious blackberry treats. It’s the perfect chance to connect with new customers.
Why Advertise With Us?
1. Reach a Captive Audience: Festival-goers are actively seeking local experiences and are in a positive mood, ready to discover what your business offers.
2. Boost Your Brand: Align with a popular community tradition. Our special edition ensures high visibility for your brand among locals and visitors.
3. Drive Sales: Promote offers or simply remind the community of your presence. Directly encourage attendees to visit your location or explore your services.
Don’t miss out!
Contact us today to secure your spot in this highly anticipated edition.
on the
Recreation group Facebook page, where she is a new volunteer.
in the Blackberry Festival Edition – Where
Knuckleheads Winter
SUMMER SWIM: Hiker Amanda Hagglund went for a swim in a frigid pool of blue water on July 1. ALI MOORE PHOTO
Friday, August 15, 2025 Marine Avenue • 6-10 pm
Join us as Marine Avenue comes alive with pedestrians in a celebration the whole family can enjoy. Enjoy the entertainment and music while you dance in the street, eat great food, and shop the many vendor booths. Then stay for the spectacular fireworks display presented by Quality Foods at Willingdon Beach.
- CALL FOR VENDORS -
The Blackberry Festival is back, and we're inviting vendors to participate in this exciting summer celebration. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your products, connect with the community, and be part of a mile-long street party that draws visitors from near and far.
If you're interested in being a vendor at this year's festival, please email us at prblackberryfestival@gmail.com for an application.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Vendors will receive an invoice from The Chamber for payment. Beware of scams! Our official application is only available through our email, and we will never ask for payment without first sending an invoice. If you see unauthorized applications being shared elsewhere, please report them to the RCMP and contact us directly.
Proudly brought to you by:
SCENE
AROUNDTOWN
Canada Day celebration
Residents and visitors of all ages descended upon Willingdon Beach on Tuesday, July 1, to celebrate Canada’s birthday. The sunny and warm afternoon featured food and beverages, music, fun activities for children and fireworks to end the event.
MADELINE BURT PHOTOS
•
Canadian Navigable Waters Act Notice of application for Approval of Aquaculture Facilit y Andre Comeau hereby gives notice that an application has been made to the Minister of Transpor t, pursuant to the Canadian Navigable Waters Act for approval of the wor k descr ibed herein and its site and plans
Pursuant to paragraph 7(2) of the said Act, Andre Comeau has deposited with the Minister of Transpor t, on the on-line Common Project Search Registr y (https://cps canada ca/), Registr y No
4590 and under the NPP File Number 2021-505039
The application for approval includes an aquaculture facilit y with existing anchors, anchor lines, rafts, boat moorage floats and lines and wor k raft for the production of shellfish in, on, over, under, through or across Okeover Inlet at Canner y Road in front of Distr ict Lot number 3889
Comments regarding the effect of this wor k on mar ine navigation can be sent through the Common Project Search site mentioned above under the Comment section (search by the above refer
enced number) or if you do not have access to the inter net, by sending your comments directly to: Navigation Protection Program – Transpor t Canada, Suite 820800 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2J8
Transpor t Canada (TC) will not make your comments on a pro‐ject available to the public on the online public registr y However, any infor mation related to a wor k is considered as unclassified public record and could be accessible upon legal request As such, the infor mation and records provided should not contain confidential or sensitive infor mation If you want to provide confi
dential or sensitive infor mation that you think should not be made public, please contact TC before submitting it
However, comments will be considered only if they are in wr iting (electronic means preferable) and are received not later than 30 days after the publication of the last notice Although all com‐ments confor ming to the above will be considered, no individual response will be sent
Posted at Powell River, BC this 19th day of June, 2025 Name
Representive: Andre Comeau
Shir ley Claire Cour t
December 7, 1949 - May 16, 2025
With deep sadness, we share the loss of Shir ley Claire Cour t She will be greatly missed by her daughter Jocelyn, son-inlaw Geoff Williams and her grandchildren Rhianna, Malcolm and Trevor. Also missing her are her sister Doreen McNabb, nephew Barr y McNabb (Kelly) and niece Dallas Lewis (Randy), sister Velma Russell, great-nieces Aver y Hallberg (Andy) and Jade Reslock (Tyson) and their children, as well as cousin Elaine Del Guidice and family Shir ley was predeceased by her son David, her husband Ron, and Mike Warr iner, who held a special place in her family after billeting with them for several years
Shir ley was bor n on December 7, 1949, in St Boniface, Manitoba and was raised in Winnipeg Shir ley had a close connection to both of her sisters, Doreen and Velma, throughout her adult life, despite having been the “baby” that they had to take with them ever ywhere in their younger years. The house on Walnut Street in Winnipeg was always full of activit y and laughter, with many cousins coming to stay in the cit y for several weeks or sometimes years
Shir ley met Ron in 1966 while on a visit to Powell River, and they marr ied on September 6, 1968 They had t wo children, Jocelyn and David The Cour ts enjoyed skiing and golfing Ron and Shir ley both wor ked ver y hard to provide oppor tunities for their children and to suppor t their education After David’s sudden death in 2001, Shir ley kept his memor y alive by r unning the David Cour t Memor ial Foundation, which suppor ts Junior Golf in BC, and by staying close with his local and Crown Isle fr iends Shir ley was a constant suppor t to Jocelyn and her family, helping her grandchildren in all their endeavours She was excited when they moved to Powell River, and we were blessed to have had the past ten years close together Shir ley was immensely proud of Rhianna, Malcolm and Trevor and the young adults that they have become
Shir ley wor ked at the Royal Bank when her children were young There, she developed great fr iendships with many staff. Later, she wor ked with Paul Sian as an investment advisor at Great Pacific Management. Shir ley was also an active member of the communit y, ser ving on many boards, including those of the Powell River Communit y Foundation, The Powell River Cur ling Club and, in past, the Myr tle Point Golf Club
Shir ley’s great passion in life was travel She and Ron enjoyed winters in New Zealand, a number of cr uises, and tr ips to Mexico and Califor nia with Jocelyn, Geoff and the kids She travelled extensively with her Mom and sisters, star ting in 1979 with a tr ip to Europe She loved to explore the wor ld with family and fr iends Some of her favour ite tr ips included China, Afr ica and Egypt
Shir ley was blessed with amazing lifelong fr iends She enjoyed visits, dinners and weekend getaways with the gir ls and time spent with their families We appreciate all of their suppor t dur ing the past sixteen months since she became ill Shir ley always maintained her positive outlook no matter what the situation and will be remembered as an independent woman who gave all her love to her family and fr iends.
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the doctors and nurses for their care and compassion shown to Shir ley and her family S pecial thanks to Dr Marentette, Dr Bahador i, Dr Marciniuk and care provider Pink y Fair, as well as the Home Suppor t Nursing Team and the nursing staff of the ICU and 4th floor, who suppor ted Shir ley in her final months
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Myr tle Point Golf Club on October 11, 2025
“May the road r ise up to meet you ”
Ann Mackave June 12, 2025
It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Ann Mackave, who left us peacefully and joined the Lord on June 12, 2025. Ann was born Annie Sherstobitoff in 1933 in the Doukhobor settlement of Glade, BC. She was the first of four children born to hard-working and proud parents, Nick and Margaret (nee Holoboff) Sherstobitoff. Ann grew up in a small village in tough times, and access to school was very limited in her young years.
In her teenage years, Ann worked as a nanny in Trail. She also worked in the Okanagan with her family in the orchards as well as in a cannery-packing house. Ann met her future husband, John Makeiff, at the Doukhobor summer music festival in Brilliant. They started dating in the early ’50s and were married in Glade on September 1, 1956. An additional wedding was held the next day in John’s hometown of Grand Forks. Ann moved to Copper Mountain, where John was working, and their first son, Kim, was born in 1957. The couple soon moved to Remac, where her next son, Len, arrived in 1957, followed by her son, Mark, in 1962. In 1969, the family moved to Powell River and would continue to raise their children in this ideal familyoriented West Coast Community. Ann and John returned to their Kootenay roots in 1996, moving to Thrums and then to Castlegar in 2009.
Ann thoroughly enjoyed travelling with her husband, John, family, and friends. Hawaii was her favourite destination, and they also travelled to Mexico and Cuba and cruised the Caribbean for their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Adventures in their truck and camper were made across Canada and to Alaska. She also liked sewing, gardening, salmon fishing, canning, cooking and entertaining.
Ann loved her family unconditionally and always ensured they were well provided for. She was a very kind, caring, generous lady, very determined, who had tremendous spark and a great sense of humour. Ann was the first to step up, help anyone in need and, without reservation, had an open door to her home for an amazing meal and place to stay. She became a Christian and was actively involved in the Pentecostal Churches in Powell River, Castlegar, and, most recently, the Kinnaird Park Community Church.
Ann is predeceased by her husband John, sons Kim (Lori) and Len (Brenda), brother Willie (Shirley) and parents Nick and Margaret Sherstobitoff. She is survived by her son Mark (Norma), grandson Cody, and brothers Nick (Lola) and Stan (Debbie).
Ann will be deeply missed by all of her family, friends, and by anyone who knew her and whose lives she touched.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Kinnaird Park Community Church on Monday, September 1, at 11:00am, followed by an Internment of Ann’s Ashes at the Shoreacres Cemetery at 2:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to honour Ann MacKave may be made to St. Paul’s Foundation’s Transcatheter Valve Program here: https://give.helpstpauls.com/page/AnnMackave
TERMS
Classified advertising is accepted on a prepaid basis only. VISA and MasterCard welcome. Peak Publishing reserves the right to classify ads under appropriate headings, set rates therefore and determine page location. Full, complete and sole copyright in any advertising produced by Peak Publishing is vested in and belongs to Peak Publishing. No copyright material may be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of Peak Publishing. Any errors in advertisements must be brought to the attention of the publisher within 30 days of the first publication. It is agreed by any display or classified advertiser that the liability of the newspaper in the event of failure to publish an advertisement or in the event that errors occur in the publishing of any advertisement shall be limited to the amount paid by the advertiser for that portion of the advertising space occupied by the incorrect item only and that there shall be no liability in any event beyond the amount paid for such advertisement. Peak Publishing cannot be responsible for errors after the first day of publication of any advertisement. Notice of errors in the first week should immediately be called to the attention of the advertising department to be corrected for the following edition. All advertising is subject to the approval of the publisher.
OPEN HOUSE TOUR • SATURDAY, JULY 12
2
AVENUE
$349,900 MLS®19088
2
$524,900
DUSTIN: 604 358 2473
Located on a corner lot in a sought-after neighbourhood, this level-entry ocean view home blends elegance and functionality
3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 2,846 sq ft
3890 ONTARIO AVENUE
$929,900 MLS®19053
NANCY: 604 849 5777
Private year-round oceanfront retreat on 1.7 serene acres on Savary Island, bordering 350 acres of trust lands with 180° views of the strait. 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,718 sq ft 1900 VANCOUVER BOULEVARD
$1,100,000 MLS®18687
2 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1,004 sq ft 301-5701 WILLOW AVENUE
$351,000 MLS®18720
WATERFRONT
AUSTYN: 778 986 1691
Great value for waterfront home with suite.
Quiet neighbourhood, this home is ideal for those seeking both tranquillity and fine craftsmanship.
3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 3,197 sq ft
4810 SANDERSON ROAD
$945,000 MLS®18993
KATIE: 604 344 0055
This is your opportunity to build your dream vacation home on one of the most beautiful islands in the Salish Sea. This 0.34 acre Savary Island lot has tons of potential.
1908 VANCOUVER BOULEVARD
$145,000 MLS®18559
NANCY: 604 849 5777
Quality custom-built home offering year-round comfort for Savary Island living. Craftsman details throughout.
2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,350 sq ft
1223 VANCOUVER BOULEVARD
$685,000 MLS®18688
AUSTYN: 778 986 1691 LEGAL SUITE
Gorgeous home set on a fenced .8 acres with a quiet creek running through the property. 20x24 shop with furnished 500 sq ft legal suite
2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,864 sq ft
7111 BAKER STREET
$1,099,900 MLS®18820
KATHY: 604 208 9722
Updated 2-bedroom energy-efficient townhouses located in the central Westview. Pets considered, subject to agreement and deposit. No smoking or vaping on the property. $1,850/MONTH (plus utilities) www.prpm.ca
