When Robert Villani unlocked the doors to his new law office in 1995, he wanted little more than to make a living in the hometown he loved.
Three decades later, Villani & Company has grown into Powell River’s largest full-service law firm, employing three lawyers, almost 20 local employees and, if all goes according to plan, a second-generation Villani.
“My son Cole is in his third year of law school and is looking forward to beginning his career in his hometown,” says Villani. “The day he tells me he doesn’t want to practise law will be the day I retire, but that day hasn’t come yet.”
From complex corporate transactions to real-estate conveyancing and criminal defence, Villani & Company covers almost every legal need a client might face.
“We cover almost everything,” notes associate Stacey Fletcher, a certified family-law mediator with more than 20 years of courtroom experience. “Because we have multiple lawyers and dedicated departments, we can move quickly on files that would stall elsewhere.”
That capacity means the office is effectively always open.
“Some firms shut down when the supervising lawyer goes on holi-
Vintage vehicle display set for Townsite PAGE 14
day,” says Villani. “Here, there’s always overlap, our door never shows a ‘closed’ sign.”
All three lawyers: Villani, Fletcher and litigator Brandon Henderson, were born and raised in Powell River. That hometown knowledge, they say, helps them anticipate clients’ needs, whether it’s scheduling a will signing around ferry times or making a hospital visit.
“People walk in and recognize us, or at least know our cousins,” laughs Fletcher. “That comfort level makes tough legal conversations a
little easier.”
Perhaps nowhere is the firm’s local commitment clearer than in its community sponsorships.
Each year, Villani & Company donates money, time or both to a long roster of charities and societies. From supporting local programs that benefit youth to seniors and everyone in between, including animals, the firm is proud to be able to give back to the community.
Villani’s passion for giving back is personal: his brother’s battle with cystic fibrosis had him fundrais-
less expensive.”
ing at age five, and he never let go. Fletcher and Henderson serve on boards ranging from the Rotary Club of Powell River to the city’s sustainability committee.
While real estate files still account for a considerable amount of the firm’s workload, Fletcher sees rapid growth in family-law mediation, an alternative to drawn-out court battles.
If there’s one service the firm wishes more locals would use, it’s estate planning.
“Everyone should have a will and a power of attorney,” says Villani. Too often, frantic phone calls arrive from hospital bedsides, situations that could have been avoided with a one-hour appointment. The firm’s approach goes beyond simple drafting.
“We look at the whole estate picture to save families money and headaches down the road,” says Fletcher.
“When there is an estate dispute, retaining the right litigator with experience in this area of law is essential,” adds Henderson.
“The courts and the new Family Law Act both push for out-ofcourt solutions,” she explains. “Mediation is friendlier, faster and
With Cole planning to join the practice, the firm is mapping out another generation of local service. But some things, they insist, won’t change: profits will stay in town, doors will stay open, and the giving will continue.
“Powell River has given us our livelihoods,” says Villani. “The least we can do is give back, on the ice, in the forest, at the food bank, wherever this community needs us.”
For appointments or more information, contact Villani & Company at 604.485.6188 or go to villaniandco.com.
Apartment complex taking shape
New facility in the heart of Westview will provide 40 new rental units
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
Powell River’s new apartment complex named Evo, in the heart of Westview, is on schedule and taking shape, soon to be providing 40 new rental units for the community.
Brett Giese, president of Crowne Pacific Development Corporation, the project’s development company, said ground was broken in early January, with some of the existing building structures at the site being decommissioned. Evo is being constructed on a former commercial site between Franklin and Alberta avenues that was destroyed by fire years ago.
Giese said his company had all the excavations ready to go for when they finished the Uptown apartment complex, with 141 units located on Joyce Avenue close to qathet General Hospital.
Giese said the new apartment complexes’ name, Evo, is shorthand for evolution.
“It’s a nice, simple name, but was also fitting for the area,” said Giese. “It’s a catalyst of change. It is situated where an old commercial building burned down, and a new one is taking shape.”
Giese said that Evo, and a similar project in Campbell River, will offer great living for tenants in the future. While Evo faces west toward the water, in Campbell
River, that project faces east toward the water.
“They are quite similar settings in terms of proximity to amenities, to the ocean and panoramic views,” said Giese. “They are both unique in terms of size and the fact that they are very much located on infill sites.
In Westview, we have neighbours in close proximity to the north and south, so Evo is fitting into an existing neighbourhood, into a fairly compact site, which has taken a lot of planning and working with the existing neighbourhood.”
Evo will offer an array of apartments. There will be some two-bedroom apartments with dens, plus two-bedroom apartments without dens. All the twobedroom apartments will have two bathrooms. The two-bedroom apartments will be located on the west side of the building, facing the water.
There will also be bachelor units and one-bedroom
It’s
apartments facing east.
Giese said Evo’s structure is now up and the crane at the site will be coming down.
“The roofers have started, so that’s a big milestone,” said Giese. “We’ll be capping and sealing the roof. The first racks of windows showed up this week, lit-
erally coming from across the street from Modern Windows. So, all those are ready for installation.
“Bathtubs are being loaded into the units and all the rough-ins will be started.”
Giese said during construction, the project has not had to fight the weather. He said over the summer, and coming into the fall months, the inside of Evo can be finished and fully sealed up. From this point on, he doesn’t expect any big challenges weather-wise.
Giese said the planned occupancy date is February 1 of next year.
The apartments will feature higher-end finishes, such as quartz countertops throughout and nine-foot ceilings. There will also be custom millwork and luxury plank floors. Giese said the windows will be generous in size to take full advantage of the views. Climate control will also be an important detail, with fully conditioned spaces and individual con-
ment complex builds.
“There’s a lot of contrasting colours,” said Giese. “The base colours are white, with a really dark charcoal colour. We’ve added another element, which are metallic, copper-looking panels. That will be accented throughout.
“We feel it is going to fit really nicely within the surrounding area. It has a really clean, crisp, fresh element to it. It’s going to blend well into the area.”
the commerce at that end of town. Evo is very much in the core of Westview. It’s nice to see some new life coming to some of the commercial buildings in the neighbourhood and all that lends itself to bringing new residents to the area.
trols in each apartment unit.
“It’s a mid- to higher-end building,” said Giese. “There are some luxurious units in terms of proximity, size, view, and all that.”
In terms of the exterior of the building, Giese said it is going to be unique in terms of any of his previous apart-
Giese said Evo is going to be something he will be proud of following its construction. Between Evo and Uptown, his company will have built more than 180 rental units in Powell River.
“Both properties have their unique place in the market in terms of different locations within the community and different proximities to different amenities,” said Giese. “Uptown is close to the recreation complex, the hospital and
“We really had to think outside of the box in terms of the property for Evo, with its graffitied old wall. I saw an opportunity to get these great, unique views and to be part of town that was underserved from a residential standpoint. Hopefully, with the influx of clientele living in the neighbourhood, we’ll start to see a shift in the area as a whole.”
Evo will be managed by Veyron Properties Group, of which Giese is president.
Powell River mayor Ron Woznow said developments such as Evo and Uptown are an important signal for other developers coming to town who will create jobs.
“If they are going to create jobs, people will need a place to live,” said Woznow. “People don’t want to move into a community that has no housing, or where housing is incredibly expensive, so whether they are nurses, or health-care workers or others, it’s a great opportunity.”
Woznow said his working relationship with Giese on bringing rental facilities to the city has been productive.
“The thing I like about working with Brett is there are no surprises,” said Woznow. “He does his analysis and if it is economically feasible, he’ll make the project work. He has a lot of local contractors and next thing you know, people have a range of places they can live in. It’s a real mix that he provides.”
Woznow said he will be doing his best to encourage further housing development in Powell River.
EVOLUTIONARY FACILITY: Crowne Pacific Development Corporation president Brett Giese [left] and City of Powell River mayor Ron Woznow met outside the new Evo apartment complex in Westview, discussing the housing development. Planning is for occupancy of the new apartment complex to take place on February 1, 2026. PAUL GALINSKI PHOTO
Fee increases proposed for complex
Parks, recreation and culture access amounts outlined for city councillors
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
City of Powell River Council has given first three readings to a parks, recreation and culture fees bylaw that will increase core recreation fees by an average of 2.5 per cent in 2025 and 2026.
At the July 3 city council meeting, Jamie Bretzlaff, director of parks, recreation and culture, outlined the fee increases.
In a written report to council, Bretzlaff wrote that user fees do not cover the full cost of operating the recreation complex and do not contribute to a capital reserve for future facility investments. He stated that consequently, city taxpayers subsidize the complex’s operations by approximately $3 million annually, equivalent to about $320 per average single-family dwelling.
“In addition, taxpayers bear the full cost of all capital expenditures related to the facility and there are
currently insufficient savings for these capital costs,” stated Bretzlaff.
At the council meeting, he said the proposed fees and charges follow a directive from city council on February 27 that staff increase revenues by 10 per cent over the estimates that had been presented to council at that time.
“To accomplish this, we are proposing an increase of 2.5 per cent per year for the next two years in our core fees and charges, and the vast majority of facility rentals,” said Bretzlaff.
He outlined that other fees and charges would increase significantly more to make up the 10 per cent increase.
“A few items of note to help frame these increases include the following,” said Bretzlaff. “First, like many other recreation departments have already done, we are proposing to shift our general admission fees from a somewhat random pattern, to instead be calculated transparently based on the single drop-in visit. This transparency makes it much easier for users to determine the best value for general admission and makes future changes on our part much easier.”
Bretzlaff said there will be some
variance on increases in the first year for the 10 and 30 passes, and the monthly passes, but on average, the broad range of admission rates will increase by 3.6 per cent. He said in year two, the increases will all be at 2.5 per cent.
Bretzlaff said the bylaw was proposing a single rate for corporate and public admissions by removing the nominal five per cent discount that has been historically offered to registered corporate patrons.
“This not only helps with revenue, but also streamlines our administration, having a single fee,” said Bretzlaff.
Spring and summer ice rental rate discounts will be eliminated under the bylaw, and fees for booking the entire aquatic centre have been increased by 16 per cent to improve cost recovery, said Bretzlaff.
More substantial increases include proposed memorial fees for park benches, picnic tables, trees and replacement plaques for benches. Bretzlaff said the donation program has not been operated on a cost-recovery basis and the proposed increases will help the city get closer.
Bretzlaff said there will be an in-
RATES OUTLINED: City of Powell River staff members have recommended increases in parks, recreation and culture fees to help recover more costs for the city. City council gave the first three readings to a fees change bylaw at the July 3 council meeting.
crease in fees for events that serve alcohol in parks, going from $100 to $125.
“One area where we are proposing a decrease in fees is for our super seniors; those 85 and older,” said Bretzlaff. “We are proposing free general admission to our super seniors. Last year, we saw 16 of these wonderful patrons in our facilities and we want to see more stay healthy for longer.”
Mayor Ron Woznow asked Bretzlaff about the possibility of a fee differential for city residents versus those in the rural areas or from out of town.
“I raise this because of the sig-
Street party a highlight of summer
Chamber of commerce, Rotarians keep blackberry festival tradition alive
Plans are underway for one of the highlights of summer. Blackberry Festival Street Party, hosted by Powell River Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Powell River, returns Friday, August 15, from 6 to 10 pm, as Marine Avenue
transforms into a vibrant celebration of community, culture and, of course, blackberries.
This biggest party of the year pays homage to the delicious and invasive blackberry. Each August, locals and visitors eagerly anticipate the festivities, making it a tradition to reunite with friends and acquaintances for an evening of laughter, music and culinary delights.
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"The Blackberry Festival Street Party is more than just a celebration of a fruit; it's a celebration of our community spirit," stated chamber president Dave Formosa, in a media release. "It's a time for us to come together, enjoy each other's company, and create lasting memories. Attendees can expect a feast for the senses, with live music, artisan and
Learn about how artificial intelligence (AI) is being integrated into common Google applications. The learning session at Powell River Public Library (1006975 Alberni Street) in Westview begins at 3 pm. To register or for additional information, email Mark at mmerlino@prpl.ca.
nificant amount of taxation money that is required to maintain the facilities,” said Woznow.
Bretzlaff said it had been considered.
“We are looking at the mechanism of renewing our agreement with the [regional district],” said Bretzlaff. “If we are unable to achieve an agreement with the [regional district], then, one of the options is to do just that, to have fees and charges in the city, versus outside of the city.”
Council unanimously passed first three readings of the fees and charges bylaws for parks, recreation and culture services.
food vendors, and an array of blackberry-themed treats, including pies, jams and refreshing beverages.”
Later in the evening, crowds will make their way to Willingdon Beach for the Festival of Lights fireworks spectacle, sponsored by Quality Foods. It's a dazzling finale to a day filled with festivities, laughter and the unmistakable taste of summer.
“Whether you're a long-
time resident or a firsttime visitor, the Blackberry Festival Street Party promises an unforgettable experience for all ages,” the release stated. “Mark your calendars, gather your friends and family, and join us for a night of celebration under the stars.”
For more information and vendor applications, email prblackberryfestival@gmail. com.
Bylaw amendments sought for housing
City council considers turning 111-hectares of managed forest lands into residential designation
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
City of Powell River Council has voted to direct staff to prepare draft sustainable official community plan and zoning amendment bylaws for a 111-hectare property for housing development, referred to as the Benchlands.
The parcel of land is located adjacent to Millennium Park and Powell River Recreation Complex, between Joyce and Timberlane avenues.
According to a staff report at the July 3 city council meeting, the submission would further Couverdon Real Estate, a division of Mosaic Forest Management Corporation, to develop these lands with multi-lot residential subdivisions that would permit development in keeping with small-scale multi-unit housing legislation enacted by the province in 2023.
City director of planning services Jason Gow said it is worth highlighting that the lands in question are currently held as managed forest lands, and Couverdon, through Mosaic, is exploring opportunities to remove these lands from the private program for the purpose of residential development.
“The application proposes to amend the city’s official community plan and the zoning bylaw to facilitate change in land use,” said Gow. “If successful,
Couverdon anticipates that the time horizon to complete a build-out of these lands to be roughly in the range of 30 years.
“The area is bigger than the residential area of Townsite and twice the size of Cranberry Lake. From a growth management perspective, these are important lands within the city, and the decisions made today will have a lasting impact on the residences of tomorrow.”
Gow said consideration of how these lands could address the community’s current and future housing needs are paramount to Couverdon’s vision. He said the community plan currently identifies three landuse designations for the subject property. The largest is designated as employment centre, followed by urban residential low density. The remaining lands are designated parks, schools and green space.
“The applicant’s current submission proposes only two land use designations – urban residential low density and parks, schools and greenspace,” said Gow.
“This change would permit council to consider rezoning most of these lands to accommodate residential growth. However, removing the employment centre land use designation would impact the city’s ability to accommodate future industrial and economic growth activity on these lands.
“Staff supports a shift from industrial and economic growth to residential use for these lands.”
Gow said support for development in this location already exists. He said if council supports housing as the right fit for the entire parcel, redesignating employment centre lands to urban residential low density is a reasonable consideration.
“The urban residential low density land use designation is intended to accommodate ground-oriented residential uses with existing infrastructure and is close to recreational amenities and commercial services,” said Gow. “Acceptable housing forms include residential dwellings with or without secondary suites, and a variety of ground-oriented, multi-unit residential buildings, such as duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes and townhouses.”
Gow said based on previous council direction, staff is targeting minimum housing densities of 35 units per hectare for developments of this scale.
“Staff see a requirement to meet 35 dwelling units per hectare as modest and fair,” said Gow. “The developer will achieve much of what they want and the city will meet some of its housingrelated targets.
“Staff is looking for council to endorse this level of density, as it will help further negotiations on the finer details of the proposed zoning. Staff is seeking direction to continue those negotiations and then return to council with draft amendment bylaws for consideration at a later date.”
Council carried a motion that staff be directed to prepare draft amendment bylaws to the sustainable official community plan bylaw and the zoning bylaw that would facilitate development of a 111-hectare parcel. The bylaws would be subject to a wider range of housing, and an average density of 35 dwelling units per hectare. Councillor George Doubt was opposed to the motion.
Council unanimously carried a motion to consider the amendment to the sustainable official community plan and zoning
bylaw, with staff being directed to mail notifications to persons and organizations that own or occupy
property within 100 metres of the boundaries of the subject properties, and to notify qathet Regional
District, Tla’amin Nation and qathet School District to inform them of the proposal and solicit feedback.
PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT: City of Powell River councillors heard a presentation regarding a property between Westview and Cranberry known as the Benchlands, where Couverdon Real Estate, a division of Mosaic Forest Management Corporation, wants to amend the sustainable official community plan and zoning bylaw to turn the property into a housing development.
CITY OF POWELL RIVER PHOTO
Fire chiefs provide reports
Regional
district directors receive quarterly statistics at committee of the whole
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
qathet Regional District directors heard from four regional fire chiefs, who provided quarterly updates on their departments’ activities.
At the July 9 committee of the whole meeting, Lasqueti Island Volunteer Fire Department fire chief Richard Carlson, Savary Island Volunteer Fire Department fire chief Chris Philpott, Malaspina Volunteer Fire Department acting fire chief William Ashworth, and Northside Volunteer Fire Department fire chief Jim Brown all appeared before the committee to provide information about department activities during the year.
First to speak was Carlson, who said the fire department has had 17 incidents year-to-date and has conducted all its practices and training events. He said the department conducted automobile extrication training this year, as well as emergency traffic control. There have been recent false alarms on the island, which Carlson said is beneficial because they are not critical incidents.
Philpott said there had been two
structural fires, one rubbish fire, three first responder callouts and three false alarms.
“The numbers are pretty low but I can assure you that the population is ramping up rapidly, as well as the traffic, as well as the hooligans and everything else that goes with it,” said Philpott. “We are buckling down and bracing ourselves for another busy summer. We’ll see what happens.”
Electoral Area A director Jason Lennox asked with the seasonality of population growth on Savary Island, was Philpott happy with the department’s numbers?
Philpott said he had a very good crew and that he was happy with the crew.
City of Powell River director Rob Southcott asked if the helicopter landing site on Savary was operational. Philpott said it is fantastic, but there has been an ongoing battle with the provincial ministry of transportation and transit over access on the west side, which is bad.
“We don’t know what the resolution could be,” said Philpott. “The landing site is clear and safe, but our only issue is access to the west.”
Ashworth said he has been acting as fire chief for the last 14 months and is awaiting direction on who is going to be the fire chief.
“We do need that direction eventually,” added Ashworth. “We’re still struggling to get everything done.”
Ashworth said there are 36 volunteers on the roster and 27 have attended training in the last quar-
ter. He said only 11 volunteers are above 60 per cent turnout.
“We are having an issue with retention and morale,” said Ashworth. “Of the 11 volunteers, myself and two officers are attending regularly. We are also struggling to meet the demands on our calls.
“Medical calls are usually okay, but if we get anything more serious, like a motor vehicle incident or a structure fire, we are often struggling for resources, and we are occasionally needing to call in for mutual aid, which has its own costs as well.”
Ashworth said there were 73 incidents, with an average of four volunteers per incident.
“That’s not too bad, but we had six structure fires, two rubbish fires, a vehicle fire, three unclassified fires, 45 first responders, three ambulance assists, two motor vehicle incidents, two rescues, eight public service and a false alarm,” said Ashworth. “What it compares to in our previous quarter is we are up about 20 per cent on call volume overall. We’re up on call volume over last year and we’re down on manpower.
“That is going to potentially take its toll, but we are trying to work on how to move forward and provide training opportunities and to increase morale. We are working as a team.”
City director Cindy Elliott said 11 volunteers are turning out 60 per cent of the time or more and she wondered what would be an optimal number? Ashworth said
the number should be around 24.
Ashworth said the fire hall is classified as full service, which means the capacity to enter into a building that is on fire and possibly perform a rescue.
“As it stands now, there is no way we are entering the building,” said Ashworth. “Eventually, when we get a whole crew there, we need to have between eight and 12 firefighters before you think about opening up a door. Otherwise, you’re on the outside of the building conducting an exterior operation. We are almost restricted every time to an exterior operation.”
Brown said Northside has 39 vol-
unteers and 26 of them attend 60 per cent of training. He said there have been 14 fire practices and nine other training events, including first responder driver training, live fire training and cross-cultural training with Tla’amin Nation. He said there have been some new people showing up to volunteer for the department, and training has been undertaken with the new trainees.
Brown said a new fire truck, almost the same as the vehicle it is replacing, will be here by the end of the month or the beginning of August. He said he has gone to see it and it is a nice unit.
Texada grizzly found dead after reported shooting
Bear which been on island for more than a month allegedly shot by member of the public
DARRON KLOSTER Times Colonist
The grizzly bear that had been wandering Texada Island for more than a month has been found dead after being shot, says the BC Conservation Officer Service.
The service posted on social media on Tuesday, July 15, that it has confirmed the
bear is the tagged grizzly seen on the island in recent weeks. The animal, which was found in the Van Anda area on the north end of the island, is expected to undergo a necropsy.
Officers arrived on Texada on Monday in response to a report by the RCMP that the grizzly had been “shot and possibly wounded” by a member of the public.
The four-year-old bear was first spotted on Texada on May 25 after swimming over from the qathet mainland area.
The grizzly had been reported as following some residents and stalking livestock since its arrival on the 300-square-kilometre island, home to about 1,200 people, but there had been no reports of any injuries.
The province had said the grizzly was not a candidate for relocation after two previous attempts failed.
The bear was tagged and moved from Gibsons last fall, and was moved again from Sechelt.
It then showed up south of Powell River, where it was getting into boats and stalking a couple on a picnic, who had to retreat to the water and remain there while the grizzly paced on shore for half an hour.
Three First Nations had asked the province for permission to move the grizzly into their territories.
John Powell, elected chief of Mamalilikulla First Nation, called the situation a “tick-
ing time bomb” last month, saying it was inevitable the bear was going to run into a human or animal and “have a negative engagement.”
BC Ministry of Land, Water and Resource Stewardship has said on average, relocation success rates are about 30 per cent on the first attempt and generally decline on subsequent attempts.
“Bears that are aggressive toward people, considered dangerous to the public or are human-food conditioned, are not candidates for relocation, due to the risk to public safety,” the ministry said.
Anyone with information on the alleged shooting of the bear on July 14 is asked to call the RAPP line at 1.877.952.7277.
GIVEN OUTLINE: qathet Regional District directors heard from four regional volunteer fire department fire chiefs at a committee of the whole meeting, receiving details on training and responses by volunteer firefighters. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Golden retriever recovering at SPCA
Ill-fitting harness sends young dog to emergency surgery
TANYA HILL
thill@prpeak.com
A 6.5-month-old golden retriever puppy was surrendered to the BC SPCA qathet Community Animal Centre last month with significant wounds requiring urgent veterinary intervention, according to an update from BC SPCA on July 10. BC SPCA stated that the puppy, now named Air Bud, was immediately transported to a local veterinary hospital to address two untreated four-inch bilateral axillary lesions caused by an embedded harness.
Tara Daniels, manager of the local animal centre explained that, "in an outdoorsy, coastal region like ours, it’s not unusual to see pets with minor cuts and scrapes from playing outside, hiking or swimming, but wounds this severe are quite rare. Even as a bornand-raised farm kid, the lesions from the harness around Air Bud’s armpits [axillas] and sides were hard for me to look at."
Daniels added that the worst part is knowing the dog was suffering from an entirely preventable injury without any treatment or pain management.
The BC SPCA qathet team added that it doesn’t know how long Air Bud was wearing the harness, but it was clear the straps had been digging into his body with-
out any reprieve for a long time.
Air Bud underwent an emergency, same-day procedure to surgically repair the lesions on his body. He was sedated and the fur surrounding the injuries was shaved before the medical team stitched up his wounds.
Air Bud is now in foster care with one of the clinic’s staff members and receiving daily pain medication and antibiotics to help him heal. Despite still being in recovery, Air Bud is very sweet and affectionate, loves snuggling and is already showing signs that he will be an active, outdoorsy dog as he matures, according to the BC SPCA qathet team. He has quickly become a favourite at the animal centre and at the veterinary hospital.
Prop explosive device causes evacuation
Resource recovery centre and waste transfer station closed as cautionary measure
Powell River RCMP have confirmed that a suspected explosive device found at the resource recovery centre and waste transfer station was later determined to be a prop.
On July 10, the police received a report of a suspected explosive device at the centre on Marine Avenue.
According to a media release from the RCMP, police and fire personnel attended the scene, and out of an abundance of caution, evacuated the facility. The area remained closed until the RCMP explosive disposal unit (EDU) attended the morning of July 11 and determined it was simply a prop made to look like an explosive device.
The release stated that investigators believe the prop was discarded into household garbage, where it was then discovered while staff processed the materials.
“The precautions of evacuating and
"Air Bud’s situation is a good reminder for all dog guardians," said Daniels. “While harnesses are usually more comfortable for a dog than clipping a leash to their collar, the harness has to fit properly.
“You should be able to comfortably fit two fingers between the material of the harness and your dog’s body. If not, it can cause injury and fear for the animal, and lead to more harm than good. A harness should never be so tight that it’s causing chafing or cinching."
Once his wounds have fully healed, Air Bud will be scheduled for a neuter surgery before he can start looking for his forever home.
To support Air Buds recovery, go to spca.bc.ca/ locations/qathet or call 604.485.9252.
securing the area are necessary to ensure public safety, but fortunately, no one was ever actually in any danger,” stated Powell River RCMP sergeant Graham Kerr. “This incident is not believed to be a deliberate act.”
The facility has since reopened to normal operations.
Due to the resource recovery centre being closed, City of Powell River was unable to collect organics from route C on July 11.
qathet Regional District, which operates the centre and waste transfer station, deferred comment on the incident to Powell River RCMP.
PUPPY PAIN: On June 24, a 6.5-month-old golden retriever puppy was surrendered to the BC SPCA qathet Community Animal Centre with significant wounds requiring urgent veterinary intervention. BC SPCA PHOTO
Swim safely
Summer is well underway. To beat the heat, people inevitably look for ways to cool down, which leads to beach days and fun in the sun.
An annual campaign that starts next week highlights that drowning remains one of Canada’s leading causes of preventable death, and that simple, proactive measures can save lives.
National Drowning Prevention Week runs from July 20 to 26. World Drowning Prevention Day is July 25.
The abundance of local beaches, lakes and boating areas along the Sunshine Coast draw local residents and visitors. These inviting waters carry inherent risks, especially in unsupervised settings.
Sixty-seven per cent of drownings occur in natural bodies of water such as lakes, rivers and oceans, according to the Lifesaving Society, a charitable organization dedicated to preventing drowning through swim lessons, training programs, WaterSmart® education and aquatic safety services.
In areas such as Haywire Bay Regional Park near Powell River and Shelter Point Regional Park on Texada Island, there are no lifeguards, although designated grids guide swimmers toward safer areas. Supervision of children, life-jacket usage and being sober and alert are essential to reducing risks while enjoying aquatic activities.
Whether the pursuit of a refreshing dip takes you to popular freshwater areas around Powell and Inland lakes, or oceanside at Palm, Donkersley, Gibsons and Willingdon beaches (to name a few), don’t swim alone and be water smart, because drowning is preventable.
National Drowning Prevention Week reminds everyone to take an active role in water safety, now and for the rest of the summer season.
Reduce your own emissions, USA
Talk about a blatant and even ridiculously stupid indication of American egocentrism and inflated self-importance. A recent CBC article begins with the title “Canadian wildfire smoke ruining Americans’ summer, says letter from Congress members, Letter signed by 6 House representatives from Minnesota and Wisconsin.” It is stated in the letter that Canadian forest mismanagement and arson are significant causes of the wildfires generating the smoke that is interfering with their summer recreation, lifestyle and fam-
CLIMATE CROSSROADS
By William Lytle-McGhee
ily memories. What a guilt trip! Nothing could be further from the truth.
These people fail to recognize the scale of the Canadian landscape. Most of these fires are in extremely remote areas and very difficult to access. The vast majority are lightning caused and they are burning in forests too large to manage for
fire control effectively, as if that would make any difference. Boreal type forest covers 60 per cent of Canada’s land mass, an extremely large area.
Not to mention the fact that Canada has been the recipient of US wildfire smoke at times in the past because smoke and wildfires do not care about our borders and we are all vulnerable, not just US residents. These congress members need to give their collective heads a shake and learn about the reality of the situation. It is strikingly obvious to anyone
up to speed on the climate changerelated effects on the intensity and size of wildfires. Emissions from the US are one of the biggest factors in global heating and have a scientifically proven impact on the severity of wildfires as well as extreme weather.
Maybe these members of congress ought to do a little self-reflection on their own role in exacerbating the size of these fires that occur in both of our countries, as well as globally. Greenhouse gas and smoke distribution is random globally, dependent on atmospheric currents,
and that is impossible to control. Among other things the US government has done recently to Canada, this is just one more indication of the distorted self-perception that goes on south of the border. The US is not the most important country in the world, there is no such thing, and they badly need to accept that, have some positive regard for their friends and neighbours, and get educated about the rest of the planet.
William Lytle-McGhee is a member of qathet Climate Alliance.
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.
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KELLY KEIL publisher SHANE CARLSON editor
MP visits logger sports
Aaron Gunn travelling throughout riding to hear feedback from constituents
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
North Island-Powell River MP Aaron Gunn is on the road steadily within his riding during summer break from the House of Commons.
Visiting Powell River Logger Sports on July 12, Gunn said he was attending the event with a heavy heart, following the workplace death of a local forest industry worker on July 10.
“For me, it’s a reminder that when so many of our resource sector workers go to work every day, they face certain inherent risks, and that’s another reason why they deserve our respect and our support,” said Gunn. “My heart goes out to the family.”
Gunn said in his first session of parliament, he got to ask his first question in question period, deliver his first speech, as well as a statement he dedicated to the resource sector workers in this riding and throughout the country. Having returned home for the summer, he said he has opened his first constituency office in Campbell River and his Powell River constituency office is slated to be open August 1 in the Powell River Town Centre mall to help meet the needs of his constituents.
Gunn said his time talking to constituents at the logger sports event was productive. He said in addition to hearing congratulations regarding his election, he received questions about what is going on in Ottawa, and questions on legislation such as Bill C-5, an act to enact the Free Trade and
Labour Mobility in Canada Act, and the Building Canada Act, which establishes a framework to remove barriers to interprovincial trade of goods and services, and to improve labour mobility within Canada. Gunn said he also had questions about Bill C-2, which is an act respecting certain measures relating to the security of the border between Canada and the United States, and respecting other related security measures.
Ottawa takes note of the concerns of the people of North Island-Powell River, whether that’s regarding the affordability issues, whether that’s with regard to the crime and drug issues that we’ve seen, and whether that’s just about building a stronger economy and safer communities that everyone can enjoy.”
The goal is to be here multiple times over the summer. I want to have open communication with my constituents.
AARON GUNN
NORTH
ISLAND-POWELL RIVER MP
“I also had questions around Canada Revenue Agency, immigration, as well as pressing issues for Powell River, such as what is going on with the purported sale of the mill site, the continued struggles around homelessness, addiction, supportive housing and other similar concerns,” said Gunn.
“What I have always said is I want to be a very loud voice for the people of this riding. I want to make sure that
Gunn said that over the summer, he plans to travel to each community in the riding.
“I’ll be back in Powell River for sure, for the office opening and for the Blackberry Festival,” said Gunn. “The goal is to be here multiple times over the summer. I want to have open communication with my constituents. That’s why I came to logger sports. Anyone can walk up and share their grievances or offer their congratulations. I want to have an open-door policy for my constituents, whether
they voted for me or not. I’m elected to represent all constituents.”
Gunn said North IslandPowell River is one of the biggest and most populous ridings in the country, so when he gets back from Ottawa, the travel doesn’t stop – it changes from airplanes to ferries.
Gunn said a particular area of focus for him will be fisheries, given his appointment to the government’s standing committee on fisheries and oceans. He said at logger sports, he fielded questions about the chinook salmon opening and the economic challenges that restrictions on commercial fishers have put on them and their families.
“I hear from fishermen and their concerns about the restrictions – I would call them unscientific restrictions, in some cases,” said Gunn. “I’ve also had a call about the de-staffing of lighthouses. Fisheries and oceans is a very big, complicated file, with a big department, lots of different user groups, and many different fisheries, but that complexity excites me and is something that interests me. I’m looking forward to taking it on when the committee reconvenes in September.”
RIDING REPRESENTATIVE: North Island-Powell River MP Aaron Gunn attended Powell River Logger Sports to listen to input from his constituents. PAUL GALINSKI PHOTO
Passionate performers
Pacific Region International Summer Music Association (PRISMA) held its most ambitious festival ever last month, with 13 days of concerts, open rehearsals and masterclasses in Evergreen Theatre. The orchestra included nearly 90 toptier students from 12 countries. PRISMA showcased the dedication and talent of its participants, particularly young musicians who have invested countless hours in mastering their instruments, as well as guest artists who taught and performed. ANDY RICE
Forestry museum opens for summer
After major reorganization, and some revamping, logging history is on display once again
TANYA HILL
thill@prpeak.com
For more than five years, the Forestry Museum located in the long, wooden building at Willingdon Beach, had been closed to the public. Folks walking by have most likely wondered why, and when or would the facility museum open its doors again?
Since mid-June of this year, Forestry Museum coordinators Sharon Taylor and Paul Higgins have finally been welcoming the public back inside the building, which houses the long history of logging in this community inside its walls.
"It's great, because people love it," said Taylor, who has worked with qathet Museum and Archives Society and the Forestry Museum for decades. "They almost feel like it speaks to them and they always have interesting questions."
The museum society now owns and operates the Forestry Museum
and has consolidated the indoor assets with its collection. The facility is open to the public Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from noon until 4 pm.
"Some of the biggest feedback we get are from those who have lived here for years, and all this time they didn't know this existed," said Higgins. "We also get a lot of feedback from people who were either children of loggers or grandchildren of loggers."
Both Taylor and Higgins said the reopening took years of renovation, revamping and reorganizing of the museum space and items within it.
"We had one guy who was in his 80s, and when he was 12, he started working in forestry," said Taylor. “He remembers using the big handsaws."
The Forestry Museum was founded in the early 1980s by a group of local people, including Charlie and Gerri Parsons, Jack McCuish, Bill Finn, Andy Culos, Bill Tuba and Ken Gordon. The building itself is very long in shape and before the 1970s was the Willingdon Beach public bathhouse.
Walking into the entranceway of the museum, visitors can see a collection of archival photographs and objects on display.
On the left-hand side of the
building are community group displays and information about forest fires that have occurred in the qathet region, such as one at Mowat Bay in June of 2004. Malaspina Naturalists have a display of nature and marine life in and around the region.
On the right-hand side of the building, the history of logging and the equipment used is organized and displayed in chronological order: from oxen and horses logging, to lugging logs on trains across steep trestles. Old handsaws and modern day chainsaws are also on display, along with photographs
of loggers without protective gear, risking their lives in the early days of the industry.
"The Willingdon Beach Trail originated as a logging railway," said Taylor. "The logging company [until 1910, the Michigan-Puget Sound Logging Company] dumped its logs at the site of the pulp and paper mill in the Townsite."
When construction of the mill started in 1910, the railway grade was extended to a new dumpsite known as Michigan’s Landing, which was renamed Willingdon Beach.
According to Powell River
Forestry Heritage Society, when logging ended in 1918, the rails remained for about eight years, then Bill Fishleigh persuaded the Powell River Company to remove the ties so the trail could be made into a cycle path.
"The steam donkey on the trail was installed in 2001," said Taylor. "Then the trestle was built in 2003 under the leadership of Rudi van Zwaaij, who was a forester."
Higgins said that in 1986, the Powell River Forestry Museum Society was formed and opened the building as the Forestry Museum during Sea Fair 1988.
Harm Reduction & Naloxone Training
HISTORICAL CONNECTION: Forestry Museum coordinators Sharon Taylor [left] and Paul Higgins invite the public to visit the museum this summer. The building is located across from the qathet Museum and Archives at Willingdon Beach. TANYA HILL PHOTO
Thrift store closing after eight years in operation
Major Rosanne Fraser calls
decision sad and difficult
TANYA HILL thill@prpeak.com
The Salvation Army Thrift Store, located at 1-7030 Alberni Street, is closing its doors for good on August 9 after eight years in operation.
"We just couldn't do it anymore, with the jump in rent, rising costs and financial instability," said major Rosanne Fraser, who is Powell River Salvation Army’s church and community services director.
Final donations were accepted until July 12. Leading up to the last day, the thrift store will be open; various closing-out sales will be held starting mid-July.
Fraser said the store provided affordable clothing and household items, but often operated as a lifeline for people who may have lost
everything in a house fire, or were in need; there are also paid employees who will lose their jobs.
One employee told the Peak that they had worked at the store for two years, but another employee has been there since the store opened in 2017.
"We have a wide range of ages and folks coming into the store," said Fraser. "We have young moms, we have seniors, and at our family services office [4500 Joyce Avenue], if somebody came in to us saying they've had a fire, we would give them a voucher for the store."
Moving forward, the organization will focus its efforts on operating its social service programs, which will continue to serve the community at Powell River Salvation Army Church and Community Services on Joyce Avenue, explained Fraser.
"The decision to close the store did not come easily, and we are deeply saddened," she added. "We will continue to assist those in the community who need
our help through our programs and services."
The Salvation Army will continue to offer emergency food hampers, grab-and-go food supports, used clothing, Send-a-Kid-to-Camp, spiritual care, emergency disaster services (EDS) support and mobile feeding within the community. Food and monetary dona-
tions will continue to be received at the Joyce Avenue location.
"We tried to keep our prices low to help those in our community who really needed it," said Fraser. "Every bit of money that we raised really goes into the community."
A media release from July 9 stated that the Salvation
Army has helped individuals and families in Powell River since 1956, serving with compassion and without discrimination, and providing hope for those in need. The Salvation Army runs several programs and services, including community meals, Christmas hampers, and children and youth programs.
Median prices up in real estate area
Value increases reflected in 2025 year-to-date totals over 2024
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
Median price for single-family homes year-to-date has increased by 4.03 per cent.
According to Powell River Sunshine Coast Real Estate Board president Curtis Yungen, the median price in 2024 was $620,000,
and in 2025, it is $645,000, yearto-date. Yungen said, however, that median price dropped from $678,000 in May 2025 to $645,000 in June.
Year-to-date new listings are up by 8.83 per cent, and sold listings have increased by 15 per cent, said Yungen. Total dollar volume for June 2025, at $22,288,988, dropped from May 2025, at $26,118,500, according to Yungen.
“Residential sales for June 2025 were only slightly lower than for May 2025, from $23,503,500, to $22,143,988 in June 2025,” said Yungen.
In the single-family home cat-
egory, there were 29 sales, valued at $20,713,100, in June 2025, compared to 19 sales, valued at $14,544,900 in June 2024.
There were two sales of mobiles and manufactured homes in June 2025, valued at $450,888, compared to three sales in June 2024, valued at $693,000.
For condos, apartments and duplexes, in June 2025, there were two sales, valued at $980,000, compared to four sales in June 2024, valued at $1,704,900.
Totals for residential sales in June 2025 indicated 33 units sold, valued at $22,143,988, compared to $16,942,800 in June 2024, with
26 units sold.
In nonresidential sales, in June 2024, there was a farm sold for $590,000, with no farms sold in June 2025.
There were two parcels of vacant land sold in June 2025, valued at $145,000, compared to three parcels of vacant land in June 2024, valued at $480,000.
Totals for nonresidential indicate two sales, valued at $145,000, in June 2025, compared to four sales, valued at $1,070,000 in June 2024.
Grand totals for sales were 35 units sold in June 2025, valued at $22,288,988, compared to 30 units sold in June 2024, valued at
"We would like to thank the community for years of dedicated patronage and encourage the public to continue to shop at other local thrift stores in Powell River," stated Fraser. "There will still be plenty of other ways to support the work of the Salvation Army through volunteer and donation opportunities."
$18,012,800.
Average selling price for a single-family home in June 2025 was $714,245, with an average of 79 days on the market, compared to an average selling price of $765,521 in June 2024, with an average of 56 days on the market. There were 62 new residential listings in June 2025, and 12 new nonresidential listings, for a total of 74 new listings during the month. There were 238 active residential listings at the end of the month, and 102 nonresidential listings at the end of the month, for a total of 340 active listings at the end of June 2025.
CLOSURE COMING: The Salvation Army Thrift Store, located on Alberni Street, is shutting its doors August 9, after eight years in operation. TANYA HILL PHOTO
Car club event pays tribute to movies
Members from across the province expected at this year's event
TANYA HILL thill@prpeak.com
Classic car enthusiasts will converge outside the Patricia Theatre on Ash Avenue in Townsite for the Powell River chapter of the Vintage Car Club of Canada (VCCC) Showtime and Shine event on Saturday, July 19.
"We will have over 100 vehicles, vintage vehicles, attending our show," said
SUDOKU
Powell River chapter vice president Paul Lavigne. "This year, we have permits for two blocks of Ash Avenue, outside the Patricia Theatre."
A tribute to cars in movies is this year's theme, and at 1:30 pm folks are invited to watch a movie inside the theatre.
"We will have a world premiere movie presentation titled, Iconic Cars," said Lavigne. "In our car show [outside] we will have vehicles that are basically replicas of cars that were famous and that we can remember from movies and also on TV."
Lavigne said along with the movie presentation there will also be some trivia.
"I'm not going to say any more than that," added Lavigne. "The movie, of course, is free, and it will play immediately after our prize presentations."
He said classic car enthusiasts and VCCC members will be travelling from across the province to participate in the car show.
"We will have a replica of the Mustang from the movie Bullitt, which starred Steve McQueen," said Lavigne.
"We will have several vehicles from American Graffiti." There will be coffee and other refreshments provided, plus many prizes that were donated by very generous sponsors, according to Lavigne.
"There will also be a good representation of English and European classic cars," explained Lavigne. "Everyone will have an opportunity to vote for their favourite car."
After the Showtime and
Shine event, the Powell River chapter of VCCC will be on the road again.
"Some of us will be going to the Texada Fly-In on July 27; we have also organized a tour down the coast," said Lavigne. "We will be attending the Blackberry Festival and have several other outings, like a picnic, planned."
Lavigne said the Powell River chapter of VCCC has been keeping busy. Some club members' cars were
used in the movie production of The Eden Express, a film made in the qathet region last month.
"Vintage car club members were helping out with qat̓ᶿaymɩxʷ [International Choral Kathaumixw]," said Lavigne. "We were stationed outside of the rec centre offering drives to conductors and choir members from one venue to the other."
The car show takes place, from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm, at 5848 Ash Avenue.
Students complete canoe project
hard work, the teachings they received, and the satisfaction of doing an amazing project from start to finish. The students were so proud of what they had done and what they had learned along the way.”
teach them how to carve and provide teachings on canoe carving.
Students and staff from qathet School District’s Gije (Land) Academy, members of the Powell River RCMP and Tla’amin community members met at Mowat Bay on June 24 to launch a cedar dugout canoe (chaputs) that the students had completed after working on it for the past year.
“This was an amazing day,” stated RCMP constable Chris Bakker. “I don’t think the students will ever forget this day and the culmination of all their
Corey Gordon, the teacher at the Gije Academy, approached Bakker in 2023 to plan the project and work on securing funding for it. Several contributors, including Tla’amin Nation, qathet School District, Thichum Forestry and RCMP Indigenous Policing Services were able to provide funding in 2024 to make the idea a reality.
Joe Martin, a Tla-o-qui-aht elder and master canoe carver, came to the community to work with the students,
“We couldn’t have completed our chaputs project without the support of Chris Bakker and the RCMP; it was a genuine act of reconciliation, and for that, I am truly grateful,” stated Gordon. “Carving a dugout red cedar canoe and learning the process from elder Joe Martin is an experience these students will carry with them for the rest of their lives.”
To honour the teachings taken from this journey, the Gije students burned the Four R’s of the Gije Academy onto each seat of the chaputs: respect, reciprocity, relevance and responsibility.
VINTAGE SHOWING: Powell River chapter of the Vintage Car Club of Canada vice president Paul Lavigne is excited for this year’s Showtime and Shine event at the Patricia Theatre on Saturday, July 19. TANYA HILL PHOTO
Team assisting homeless individuals
Lift Community Services received funding to support people experiencing homelessness
In the absence of an emergency shelter in the community, Lift Community Services has launched a homelessness outreach team to support local individuals experiencing homelessness, but more is needed, the qathet-based nonprofit organization says.
“When it became clear that our shelter program was closing, we advocated for and received funding
that allowed us to maintain some supports for individuals experiencing homelessness in the community,” stated Lift executive director Kim Markel, in a media release.
Lift received short-term funding that has allowed the organization to employ a three-person team for approximately six months.
The homelessness outreach team makes daily visits throughout the week to encampments that have cropped up in town, and other areas where they know individuals are sleeping rough. The team provides food, water, medical and harm reduction supplies, camping gear, waste disposal, fire extinguishers, laundry support and transportation to help individuals attend appoint-
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ments or connect with other supports, according to the release.
“The purpose of the team is really to assess individuals' needs and connect them with appropriate resources,” stated Markel, noting that the team has supported more than 45 unique individuals sleeping rough in the past two months alone.
“These are individuals whose home is here in qathet,” added Markel. “We sometimes hear suggestions that people are coming from out of town to set up camp or access resources, and quite simply, we have seen no evidence of that. Frankly, there aren’t enough services here to draw people to our community.”
While the outreach team is providing support to in-
dividuals who might typically access shelter services, Markel stated that the program is not able to address all community impacts of homelessness.
“Our mandate with the homelessness outreach team is to support people experiencing homelessness in the absence of a shelter,” stated Markel, adding that Lift is limited in its capacity to address impacts of homelessness such as abandoned debris and garbage, congregation and trespassing, and community safety concerns.
“Solving homelessness and addressing the community impact of homelessness is not something any one organization can do alone,” stated Markel.
Contributing factors to homelessness are complex
MAINTAINING SUPPORTS: Lift community services received a six-month grant to employ a three-person team to maintain some support for individuals experiencing homelessness in the community, which executive director Kim Markel [above] says will help homeless people connect with appropriate resources. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
and positive solutions to homelessness and the impacts of homelessness require community-wide collaboration and coordination, she added.
“We’re hearing from community members who are frustrated that more isn’t being done to mitigate the
impacts of homelessness in the community,” stated Markel. “I get it; there’s so much more that should be done. In the meantime, we are continuing our work of keeping people alive and advocating for their right to housing, as community members.”
Villa hoists Brewers Cup
Soccer club downs Campbell River to win two-game series
SHANE CARLSON editor@prpeak.com
On a sunny afternoon earlier this month, Powell River Villa hosted Campbell River SC in game two of the Brewers Cup competition. The favourable weather, in addition to being able to see the home team in action for the first time in months, brought soccer fans out to Timberlane Park, where a trophy was up for grabs.
At kick-off, Villa held a 2-1 lead courtesy of a road victory in game one, which was played in Campbell River on June 21. Tylor Cramb scored twice in that come-from-behind win.
Cramb added his third and fourth goals of the series as Villa cruised to a 5-0 win in game two on July 5. Marcus Cramb also scored twice; Kiran Hollman Pritchard rounded out the scoring for the home team.
On aggregate, Powell River outscored Campbell River 7-1 en route to hoisting the Brewers Cup for the second year in a row.
Beach Fire Brewing in Campbell River and Powell River’s Townsite Brewing combined to sponsor the competition.
Vancouver Island Soccer League regular season play for 2025/2026 gets underway for both teams in September.
Tyler Dahms is heading west to play in the BC Hockey League. SARA FRANCOEUR PHOTOGRAPHY
SOCCER SHUTOUT: Powell River Villa president Dave McLennan [left] presented the Brewers Cup to team captain Grant Hooper after a 5-0 victory in game two of the home-and-home series versus Campbell River SC. ANDREW BRADLEY PHOTO
Speedy forward signs with Kings
Tyler Dahms brings championship pedigree to BCHL club
A forward whose team advanced to Hockey Canada’s 2025 Centennial Cup (annual Junior A national championship tournament) has signed with Powell River Kings of the BC Hockey League (BCHL).
19-year-old Tyler Dahms comes to the Kings after winning a Manitoba Junior
Hockey League (MJHL) championship in his rookie season with Northern Manitoba Blizzard. Now set to take the next step, Dahms is looking forward to the new opportunity.
“I am very excited to come to Powell River, because of the great things I’ve heard about the program and the way coach [Stephen] Seeger [Jr.] runs the program,” stated Dahms. “I also feel it will be key for my development to play in a place with great expectations.”
In 34 regular season games with the Blizzard, Dahms scored 14 goals and
helped set up 10 others. In 16 games played during the MJHL postseason, he scored three goals and added 12 assists to help his team win the title. His 15 points were tied for the most in the league.
Then, at the Centennial Cup, Dahms collected four points in five games.
Northern Manitoba lost in the quarterfinals of the 10team tournament (won by Calgary Canucks).
“I want to better myself as a player on the ice and in the community,” stated Dahms. “I would love to make a great impact for the team and use my abilities to help the team win.”
Due to its status as an independent league, separate from Hockey Canada, the BCHL champion does not compete for the Centennial Cup.
“Tyler brings speed, deception and compete everywhere he goes on the ice,” stated Seeger Jr. “We believe Tyler will be exciting for fans to watch. He likes to score and make plays, and will do so with a lot of pace.” Dahms, who is from Omaha, Nebraska, wants to make a mark on and off the ice in Powell River.
BC BOUND: After leading Northern Manitoba Blizzard in scoring last postseason,
PROUD PLAYERS: Powell River Villa players [above] posed with the Brewers Cup following a pair of wins over Campbell River SC in late June and early July. ANDREW BRADLEY PHOTO
SCENE
AROUNDTOWN
Summer showdown
Fans of the beautiful game were treated to an off-season bonus when Powell River Villa hosted Campbell River SC at Timberlane Park earlier this month to conclude the Brewers Cup competition.
TO BOOK YOUR AD »
Darr in James Matheson
May 2, 1970 - July 1, 2025
May 2, 1970 - July 1, 2025
It is with heavy hear ts that we announce the sudden passing of Darr in Mathson Darr in leaves behind son (Brendan), father (Colin), brother (Chr is), sister (Robyn) and nephew (Jordan); as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, fr iends, cowor kers and his beloved clients.
It is with heavy hear ts that we announce the sudden passing of Darr in Mathson Darr in leaves behind son (Brendan), father (Colin), brother (Chr is), sister (Robyn) and nephew (Jordan); as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, fr iends, cowor kers and his beloved clients.
Darr in was predeceased by his mother (Audrey), Grandma and Grandpa Matheson, Grandma and Grandpa McCar ter and Uncle (Rob)
Nick Wassick
Nick Wassick
July 6, 2025
July 6, 2025
Nick Wassick passed away peacefully at home on July 6th, 2025 with his family by his side Condolences can be left at www reddeerfuneralhome com
Nick Wassick passed away peacefully at home on July 6th, 2025 with his family by his side Condolences can be left at www reddeerfuneralhome com
Darr in was predeceased by his mother (Audrey), Grandma and Grandpa Matheson, Grandma and Grandpa McCar ter and Uncle (Rob).
Darr in was an avid spor ts fanatic, playing soccer, football and baseball throughout his younger years But it was his love of golf that brought him the most joy
Darr in was an avid spor ts fanatic, playing soccer, football and baseball throughout his younger years But it was his love of golf that brought him the most joy
Darr in was a roofer for many years in the Lower Mainland (Vancouver area) until knee problems made him change his profession Darr in went back to school to train as a health wor ker Once Darr in's training was complete, he came back to Powell River and star ted to wor k with Inclusion. Darr in loved his wor k, his co-wor kers and, most of all, his clients
Information regarding celebration of life to follow
To help keep Nick’s memor y alive, Brenda is kindly asking for your help in creating a collection of stor ies and memor ies for his young children These memor ies will give them a chance to lear n more about their Daddy and hold onto special moments shared by those who knew him best
To help keep Nick’s memor y alive, Brenda is kindly asking for your help in creating a collection of stor ies and memor ies for his young children. These memor ies will give them a chance to lear n more about their Daddy and hold onto special moments shared by those who knew him best
If you have a stor y, memor y, or message you'd like to share, please consider mailing it to:
If you have a stor y, memor y, or message you'd like to share, please consider mailing it to:
Brenda Wassick
P O Box 1572
Darr in was a roofer for many years in the Lower Mainland (Vancouver area) until knee problems made him change his profession. Darr in went back to school to train as a health wor ker Once Darr in's training was complete, he came back to Powell River and star ted to wor k with Inclusion Darr in loved his wor k, his co-wor kers and, most of all, his clients
Brenda Wassick P O Box 1572
Penhold, Alber ta T0M 1R0
Penhold, Alber ta T0M 1R0
Your contr ibution will mean so much Thank you for helping preser ve Nick’s legacy for his children In lieu of flowers please donate to Ned’s Wish at https://nedswish com/donating-funds/
Your contr ibution will mean so much. Thank you for helping preser ve Nick’s legacy for his children. In lieu of flowers please donate to Ned’s Wish at https://nedswish.com/donating-funds/
Information regarding celebration of life to follow
604-223-1270
604-414-5232 (Texada)
FRIDAYS, 7:30 to 8:30 pm qathet General Hospital, third floor SUNDAYS, 8 to 9 pm Alano Club
Darr in James Matheson
Applications for per missive tax exemptions will be accepted until midnight on Fr iday, August 1, 2025 Application for ms, eligibilit y and submission requirements can be found at qathet ca Sub‐missions must be from eligible applicants and must include all documentation requested in the application for m in order to be considered For more information, please contact Celinde Lillies, Manager of Financial Services at finance@qathet ca or call (604)-485-2260
NOTICE OF FOREST OPERATIONS MAP
Selkirk Mountain Forest Ltd. hereby provides notice of a Forest Operations Map (FOM), submission ID #2450. We encourage public review and comment via the BC government FOM website (fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/projects) Otherwise, the FOM is available for review and comment via the following:
• To arrange a viewing of this FOM between 8am and 4pm at 5035 Gillies Bay Rd, Gillies Bay, V0N 1W0, please email stefan.metzger@monticola.ca
• Written comments may be dropped off or sent to the address above or emailed to stefan.metzger@monticola.ca
The FOM #2450 commenting period will be between 17 July and 16 August 2025, after which the FOM will be closed for further commenting and be considered valid for three years.
Blackberry Festival Street Party!
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.
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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.
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