Powell River’s long-sought Foundry centre is edging closer to reality.
Foundry qathet will provide youth and their caregivers low barrier access to health and wellness services. Youth can drop-in to access mental, physical and sexual health services, along with substance use services, youth and family peer support and social services.
After being granted the incredible opportunity to bring Foundry to the community in 2023, Foundry qathet project manager Delyth Harper says a centrally located site has been selected and the space plan, which has been designed and shaped by extensive feedback from youth, caregivers and service partners, is in its final stages of review.
Construction is expected to begin this fall, with doors projected to open in late 2026.
The Government of British Columbia provides one-time start-up funding to help establish Foundry centres. Beyond this initial support, Foundry host agencies must fundraise to complete the one-time funding needed to open their centres, including tailoring their spaces to the unique needs of their communities.
The Foundry qathet team has launched a capital campaign to cover the remaining costs of renovations, furnishings and essential equipment. Once the centre is open, it will receive guaranteed ongoing operational funding from the province.
“We have applied for many grants locally, provincially, and federally,” says Harper. “Now we look to the community to get be-
hind the project and support better care for youth.”
Communications lead Alice Ward Cameron encourages residents to support the project by enjoying Fish and Chips at Garden Court or attending the Bevvy and Burger Night at Forest Bistro on July 29th, both of which donate a portion of proceeds to the cause.
“Businesses can contribute through donations, silent-auction prizes or feature a special menu item with proceeds going to Foundry qathet,” says Ward Cameron.
Now is the time for the community to seize this rare chance to transform care for youth. Donations are accepted online at youthandfamily.ca/donate, by cheque or at community events.
“Youth voices are central to the development of Foundry qathet. The Youth Advisory Committee crafted the centre’s guiding principle: to create a safe, youth-centred community space for accessible resources and services.”
“Local youth have asked for practical ame-
nities such as lockers, laundry, a community kitchen, clothing closet and drop-in space; the plan makes room for all of these,” adds Harper. “Existing youth service providers will co-locate or partner, so that young people walking in will receive the support they need”
This past year, over 17,000 young people accessed Foundry services through more than 83,000 visits to 17 Foundry centres across British Columbia and Foundry Virtual BC. Of those youth, one in four said they wouldn’t have sought help if Foundry didn’t exist, and 97 per cent would recommend Foundry to a friend.
“Young people know that Foundry is more than a resource. It’s a place where support is available, accessible, inclusive, and designed with their unique needs in mind.”
Get the Peak to Go iPhone app now available in the App Store or iTunes Get the Peak to Go iPhone app now available in the App Store or iTunes
Youth in Powell River and the qathet region can already access services through the Foundry BC app or website.
“Foundry Virtual BC means nobody has to wait for the building to feel supported,” says Ward Cameron.
But both Harper and Ward Cameron agree that Foundry qathet will be a transformational youth-friendly space for young people to build community, learn life skills and seek help without judgment.
“When those doors open,” adds Harper, “young people and their families will no longer have to ask where can we go for help.”
For more information and to donate today, visit www.foundrybc.ca/qathet, or call 604.485.3090.
Mill site development in planning stages
Cranberry Business
Park taking steps to continue industrial activity on former paper mill land
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
Cranberry Business Park will be making significant changes to the former Catalyst Paper Tis’kwat millsite, with the intention of attracting significant industry and employment.
In an interview with the Peak, Cranberry Business Park CEO Craig Austin, and executive chairman Thomas Ligocki, outlined plans for the site, which they want to maintain as industrial.
Austin said Cranberry Business Park, a Canadianowned company, is purchasing the central part of the mill.
“When you drive into the mill gates, we have all the paper machine buildings and most of the infrastructure of the millsite,” said Austin. “Tla’amin Nation has some property up by the clarifier area and also has some property down by the mill shops. Cranberry will have the docks. Also, our purchase involves the landfill as well.”
The hope is that significant new tenants can be attracted.
“We are targeting and focusing on tenants that are going to bring jobs,” said Ligocki. “It makes business sense to attract green businesses because that is where support from government will hopefully come from.
We need that support from government.
“‘Government’ means the federal government, the provincial government, local government and Tla’amin Nation government. Just because we’ve got broad ideas and we’ve brought money, that alone is not sufficient for success. Success requires those governments to give us the green light to carry on activities.”
Ligocki said there have already been discussions with senior levels of government.
“Government wants this to remain an industrial site, which is good,” said Ligocki. “An example is there is a company that wants to come to Powell River that is offering to bring renewable fuel that would be used as jet fuel for YVR (Vancouver International Airport).
“YVR has a mandate to bring in renewable fuel. So, in Powell River, we could make all the renewable fuel that YVR needs for all the airplanes.”
To accommodate new businesses and industry, Cranberry Business Park has hired Clearview Demolition
lists industrial cleaning and decontamination solutions on its website. Austin said Enviro-Vac will be bringing in its asbestos remediation crew, taking all the asbestos out of buildings that are coming down or are being cleared out.
Austin added that a company from Vancouver Island came in and carried out an inspection prior to the offer to purchase.
“They took 900 samples around the site and they didn’t find anything that the mill folks here knew was already there, so that was good,” said Austin. “So, the demolition crews are ready to go based on that inspection of the hazardous materials on the site.”
Austin said there is a detailed site inspection going on with a qualified engineer that Domtar, the mill’s owner, hired. He said the engineer is working with Cranberry Business Park and Tla’amin Nation, and the inspection is supposed to be completed by the end of the year.
“They have completed half of it, and so far, so good,”
Powell River has access to electricity, so that’s excellent. Powell River has a skilled workforce, so that’s excellent.
THOMAS LIGOCKI EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, CRANBERRY BUSINESS PARK
out of Chilliwack. Austin said Clearview will be bringing a barge with its equipment over and that the company is planning to start demolition on the west side of the millsite at the beginning of August.
Also being brought into the millsite is a company called Enviro-Vac, which
said Austin. “We’re comfortable with the findings so far.”
The mill’s biggest landmark, the kraft mill stack, will be coming down.
“I realize it is a bit of a landmark, just like the hulks out in the water, but little bits have fallen off, so it’s coming down,” said Austin.
“The kraft mill will be coming down as well.”
Austin said the paper machine buildings will be left up, and some of the buildings that are connected to the paper machine buildings, but all the others will be coming down, in a 12- to 14-month timeframe.
Austin said that section 21 of the provincial Act to Provide for the Incorporation of the District of Powell River will be maintained, which indicates that the millsite area will be permanently zoned for industrial purposes.
In terms of job creation, Ligocki said the millsite provides the opportunity for a significant number of jobs.
“The site is perfect; Powell River is perfect in a number of ways,” said Ligocki. “An example we have been looking at is aquaculture companies, meaning land-based fish farming. The beauty is, because for any pipes that need to go into the ocean, the drop-off is very steep, so pipes don’t need to go as far as in other locations.
“Campbell River has been considered, but because it takes more than a kilometre to get to the required depth, it is not as attractive. Powell River has access to electricity, so that’s excellent. Powell River has a skilled workforce, so that’s excellent. There’s a lot going for Powell River.”
Ligocki said he had to emphasize, however, that it will be difficult to attract significant industry if regulators make the process of establishing the businesses difficult.
As for the foreshore rights, Ligocki said they are currently not owned by anyone.
“The leases have expired and they need to be reassigned,” said Ligocki. “We’re hoping that normal business practices will prevail, and that means normally, that translates into whoever the upland owner is. They get the foreshore. It would be unfortunate if we own the hulks, but we are not allowed to own the water rights around them.
“There are complications that Domtar has had to navigate, and now we have inherited some of those complications. We are going to do the best and the right thing, and work with all constituents. The hulks are not there for our benefit. They are for the benefit of Tla’amin and for City Transfer. We want to be good stewards and maintain them, but we need government to give us permits. We don’t have any rights now.”
Finally, Austin said that Cranberry Business Park has a good working relationship with Tla’amin in sharing the mill property, which is important for his company.
“We appreciate the Tla’amin Nation very much,” said Austin. “We’re looking at some collaborative projects with Tla’amin and they are also looking at their own projects. It’s a wonderful relationship that we’ve forged, and we appreciate them very much.”
SIGNIFICANT CHANGES: Cranberry Business Park Ltd, the new owners of a substantial portion of the former Catalyst Paper Tis’kwat mill, has big plans to relocate industry to the site, with significant job creation. Clearview Demolitions has barged in equipment to help with the demolition of parts of the mill. CLEARVIEW DEMOLITION PHOTO
Specialist explains traffic study
consultant goes over data collected pertaining to vehicular movements around
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
City of Powell River councillors were provided an update on a traffic impact study conducted in and around the Beach Gardens Resort and Marina.
At a city council meeting earlier this month, Jan Voss, president of CTS Traffic Engineering Specialists, said he was appearing on behalf of his client, Jack Barr. He said he had been conducting studies in Powell River over eight years for different developments, including for Seaboard Hotels, owner of the Beach Gardens.
“My job is as a technical advisor,” said Voss. “I’m here to present the facts and tell you what my technical observations are and let the community and you as council make a decision
about what is appropriate for your community.”
Voss said the study was started in May of 2024 and the first thing he does is work with the road authorities, in this case, the ministry of transportation and transit, as well as the city, before any field work is done.
“That process resulted in an approved study terms of reference, and then the draft report, when we issued it, was reviewed by both the city and the ministry before we issued a final report,” said Voss.
He said data was collected the week after the May long weekend and looked at ministry of transportation data to see what the seasonal variations are. Data was collected on a Friday because that is the busiest day on Highway 101 at the Beach Gardens location. Traffic cameras were used for the data collection process for 12 hours, and from that, six hours of data was extracted, said Voss.
“I can tell you how much traffic entered the Beach Gardens Resort, how many trucks we captured, and data like that,” he added. “One of the things I noticed when I did my site visit here in May of last year was quite a few
deficiencies at the four intersections we were asked to look at. Each intersection had problems, and those problems were noted in the report. I recommended that those deficiencies be addressed.”
Voss said he was on site on July 3 and noted that not a single one had been addressed by either the ministry or the city.
“There were improvements recommended but they have not been done yet,” said Voss.
One of the features he noted was the existing site access to the Beach Gardens from the highway is too close to Cariboo Avenue.
“It does not meet current design standards for proximity of major driveways,” said Voss. “The applicant was proposing this to be on Cariboo, which the ministry supported.”
Mayor Ron Woznow said when he looked at the property, and the fact that the owners want to develop at that site, why wouldn’t they put in a new road on the northern side of the property?
Voss said that was not a prospect he had examined because the access was going to be closed, so he looked at how the intersections would work coming in from the side streets, both Lillooet Place and Cariboo. He said there was no consideration of a new access road.
off by more than 300 per cent,” said Hjorleifson. “This table is only analyzing peak hours.
“This study has not looked at traffic patterns. Raw data rarely gives a complete story. Do traffic patterns change when you add very dense residential development to a small area? Yes, they do.”
Kipling. “It fails to incorporate road width, pitch and radius, with large vehicles turning down residential streets.”
Bob Allen, also a Westminster Street resident, said he had met on the site with Jack Barr, acting on behalf of Seaboard Hotels.
“That way, they have no impact on the existing community,” said Woznow. “They could design it in a way that would be good today, five years from now and 20 years from now. They could remove a lot of the issues we are hearing about. Did you look at that as an alternative?”
Prior to Voss’s presentation, during the public input period, three people made presentations regarding the traffic study. Kathryn Hjorleifson said the study did not include all existing traffic in the area, excluding traffic from some surrounding streets.
She also said one of the tables in the report made assumptions that she did not believe were accurate in terms of potential traffic in and out of the site.
“Statistics in the table are
She said the study does not include an analysis of speed, and that much of the traffic is going well over 50 kilometres per hour.
“I sincerely hope you will consider these issues, omissions and errors, as you listen to the report from CTS,” said Hjorleifson. “In my opinion, it is inadequate.”
Bruce Kipling, a Westminster Street resident, said statistical measurements of the CTS traffic study were limited to two days, which he termed a limited sample size and said was inadequate.
“After going home, I had the distinct impression he was looking to get maximum occupancy and forget about the rest of the neighbourhood, forget about the traffic problems and just get the rezoning through,” said Allen. “There are no plans of where traffic should flow in and out of the development and no plans of where traffic should flow from Beach Gardens up to the highway.
“The study fails to provide alternative routes,” said
“I met with him to show an alternative, but at the end of the day, he wasn’t able to go to that alternative. I walked away with a bad feeling about his commitment to doing something for the neighbourhood.”
TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS: City of Powell River Council heard a presentation from CTS Traffic Engineering Specialists regarding a traffic study undertaken at the Beach Gardens Resort and Marina related to a planned 215-unit residential expansion. PAUL GALINSKI PHOTO
Mitchell family enters race
Entry into world championship bathtub competition in Nanaimo will have Jenna at the helm
PAUL GALINSKI
reporter@prpeak.com
Veteran bathtub racer
Melvin Mitchell will be sitting out of this year’s Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society World Championship Bathtub Race, with his daughter Jenna entered in the race instead.
With this year’s race scheduled for July 27, Melvin will be riding along in the escort boat, watching his daughter leave Nanaimo, head out around Protection Island, around Entrance Island to the Winchelsea Islands, and back to Nanaimo, for a total of more than 60 kilometres in her tiny bathtub craft.
Melvin said Jenna has long been involved in racing, learning when she was younger about how a bathtub racer is built and serviced, and how to race one. He said he and Jenna have been getting the boat ready
for its toughest challenge of the season.
“Everything ran well,” said Melvin. “We were in the water last night (July 20) and everything’s looking good.”
Melvin said he will be heading down to Nanaimo on July 25 and hopes to take part in the parade through Nanaimo, called the Sail Past on Wheels, along Commercial Street.
“They block the street off and let the parade go through, stopping traffic,” said Melvin. “It’s right downtown.”
Melvin said he is hoping for good water conditions, but ultimately, there’s nothing the racers can do about it, so there’s “no use in worrying about it.”
“It’s deceiving,” said Melvin. “From our point of view, from here to Texada Island, you don’t see the natural swell, but out in the Salish Sea, the water is bigger. It might look calm, but there’s always those swells out there.
“The bathtub is a little boat and you sure can feel it. There’s airtime happening out there during the race. You’re pretty sore after the race. Sometimes, even a couple of weeks later, I still get remnants.”
Melvin said he’s been racing in 14-foot waves in past
Nation honours
Tex the grizzly
Tla’amin receives remains of the bear after it was shot on Texada
Tla’amin Nation held a ceremony July 15 to honour the spirit of Tex, the grizzly bear, after taking custody of his remains.
Tex was found dead on Texada Island on July 14. The grizzly bear swam from south of Powell River to Texada on May 25 and had been resident on the island ever since.
According to a media release from Tla’amin, a coordinated relocation effort
years, which are huge in a bathtub.
When Melvin travels along with Jenna in the escort boat, he said he has a man stepping forward from Nanaimo with a 26-foot boat to provide the escort.
“It’s a pretty big boat to try and remain focused on the race, but we will do the job,” said Melvin.
He said that the Spirit and Intent Protection Island Bathtub Racing Team “adopted him” as part of their team and they do whatever they can to help Melvin out, so if he can’t line up an escort, he gets the Protection Island group to find one.
“I believe they are in the Guiness Book of World Records as the world’s largest bathtub racing team,” said Melvin. “We had 36 tubs in one race and 18 of them came from Protection Island.”
there is a salute to some or ganization at the race, such as the Canadian Navy, or the Coast Guard, and last year, it was a salute for for mer mayor Frank Ney’s air force squadron. This year, the salute is to the tubbers themselves, which pleases Melvin.
will be 59 years old this year, and his family has been rac
ing for 38 of them.
“We love the sport, and the people that we meet, and they treat us well,” said Melvin. “We’ve gone down and had a meal, got ready to pay, and found out that our meal has been paid. I had money in my pocket and was ready to pay, but the bill was covered. It’s amazing.”
Melvin said his family got involved in bathtub racing when his younger brother made a boat and entered the race. However, after his brother had entered the race, which he didn’t complete because of a faulty engine, he was driving along the Island Highway and lost his life in a motor vehicle accident.
Melvin said he was determined to finish the race for his brother, so that’s how he and his family got into bath-
“It means a lot to us,” said Melvin. “We said that we should try and finish the
GETTING PREPARED: Bathtub racer
in a race off Gibsons Beach in 2024] will not be in this year’s Nanaimo world championship race. Instead, his daughter Jenna will be at the helm for the 60-kilometre race, in its 59th running. KATIE
race for him and bring back that little trophy so we could add to the other ones in his collection, because he was a real athlete.”
Melvin said it is expensive to go racing, but he is really lucky to have excellent sponsors, who have been with
between shishálh, Tla’amin and Homalco First Nations was already underway when Tex was illegally shot, maimed and killed. The plan, which had been approved by con servation officials, involved setting traps to safely move Tex to a remote area at the head of Bute Inlet.
“We are deeply saddened by this outcome,” the release stated. “Tex’s life mattered, and our nations had come together in a good way to find a peaceful solution.”
If readers have any information about Tex, they can contact the RAPP (Report All Poachers and Polluters) hotline at 1.877.952.7277.
& TUESDAY, JULY 29
FUNDRAISER & SILENT AUCTION FOR
DOORS 5:30, DINNER 6-8
TICKETS: $40 EA / TABLE OF 4 $140 INCLUDES BURGER & FRIES WITH CHOICE OF BEER, WINE OR SODA
AVAILABLE AT YOUTH & FAMILY 5814 ASH AVE OR FOREST BISTRO 4463 MARINE AVE 19+ ***CASH ONLY FOR TICKETS***
for more info: admin@youthandfamily.ca
Melvin Mitchell [above,
MATHIEU, WILD SITKA PHOTOGRAPHY
qRD board okays grants-in-aid
Funds provided to community organizations for a variety of purposes
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
qathet Regional District has approved its first intake of financial assistance to community organizations for 2025.
At the regional board meeting last month, directors approved 14 grants, while declining two.
The board has approved a $2,500 grant to Everybody Deserves a Smile for kindness bag distribution in 2025.
A $23,000 grant-in-aid was approved for the qathet Outdoor Recreation Users
Group Trails Society for 2025 ongoing maintenance and construction of multiuse trails.
Powell River Therapeutic Riding will receive $8,000 for 2025 operational expenses.
The board approved a grant of $6,000 for Townsite Jazz Festival Society for jazz concerts that were held in qathet region in 2025. The board directed staff to enter into a three-year funding agreement from 2026 to 2028 with the society for grant-in-aid contributions, subject to the base amount of $6,000, and a consumer price index adjustment each year thereafter to 2028.
qathet Tourism Society will receive $15,000 for two shoulder-season staff members to allow for increased hours of operation at the visitors centre during 2025.
Vancouver Island North
Film Commission will receive $3,000 to provide free motion picture skills training and marketing of the qathet region as a filming location.
The board approved a grant of $3,600 to the Texada Agriculture Group for a new freeze dryer at the Texada Food Hub.
A grant of $12,000 was approved for qathet Art Council for general operating expenses in 2025.
qathet Community Justice Society will receive $2,200 for 2025 operational expenses.
Texada Sandcastle Weekend will receive a grant of $3,000 for the insurance, safety and security of attendees, plus cleanliness.
Powell River Child, Youth and Family Services was approved for a grant of $10,500 for Orca Bus operations in 2025.
Directors voted to promote the grant application from Foundry qathet to qathet Regional Hospital District for consideration.
Foundry qathet is asking for $50,000 from the regional hospital district for capital costs to renovate a space for the organization.
The board denied a grant-
Transit budget receives approval
Annual operating agreement will include expanded service to Texada
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
qathet Regional District (qRD) directors have approved the 2025/2026 BC Transit annual operating budget
At a recent board meeting, directors authorized the required budget to be signed. According to a staff report, total cost to the regional district for the 2025 calendar year is $189,515.
Also at the board meeting, BC Transit government relations senior manager Rob Ringma appeared before directors to provide a transit update.
“This year, we had unprecedented demand,” said Ringma. “Pre-COVID-19, we were getting about 60,000 hours in requests each year from local governments. We’ve seen that jump to around 200,000 hours annually. That’s a combination of local governments recognizing the importance of transit to their communities, some of the environmental benefits that transit can provide, and an uptick in transit usage in general. It’s
a healthy and good thing but it puts a strain on the provincial government when it comes to allocation of resources.”
Ringma said last year, BC Transit was unable to progress qRD’s expansion item for an additional day’s service to Texada Island, but said he was happy to announce there is approval for the additional bus resource.
“We’ve talked about this initiative in years past, so we’re really happy,” said Ringma. “Because there is a vehicle required, the earliest we can implement this is January 2026.”
Ringma said the good news about having the additional bus is the potential expansion of service in the future.
“It unlocks some opportunity for additional service expansion,” said Ringma. “With the bus fleet we have, we can’t operate routes 12 and 14 on Thursdays when we go to Texada. By having another bus added to the fleet, we can look at opportunities for increasing frequency and service on all the other routes in future years, in addition to Texada.”
The additional service to Texada will be on Tuesdays.
Ringma said BC Transit is going to sharpen its pencils and come up with some different options for expansions next year. He said a transit service review is currently being worked on. The key goal is to develop a cohe-
in-aid to Wild Ocean Whale Society for funding that would be allocated to humanely reduce feral cat populations in Electoral Areas A and B.
The board approved a grant of $10,000 to Savary Island Land Trust for the purchase of a forested land parcel on Savary Island.
sive plan for the region, taking into account the needs of City of Powell River, qRD and the rural paratransit system.
“There’s been a lot of great work done and some studies, including the qRD doing an on-demand study,” said Ringma. “This plan review tries to bring it all together and look at transit holistically in the region.
“We want to engage with the community and stakeholders, so we do have a working group that includes staff from the regional district, as well as the city and Tla’amin, with the goal of identifying service and infrastructure improvements that we may be able to deliver to the region.”
Ringma said BC Transit is planning to come back to qRD and the city with a fulsome presentation on the results and options developed through the service review, so local governments can be fully informed.
Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne asked Ringma about intercity transportation.
“We have challenges with folks trying to get down to Vancouver,” said Gisborne. “Is there anything in the service review about having a more stable connection with the Lower Mainland?”
Ringma said inter-regional travel is a hot topic, including connecting First Nations communities. He said there has been examination of inter-region options, but it’s not at the forefront, because of the amount of
qathet Film Society will receive $2,000 for the 2025 youth film camp.
The board respectfully denied a grant-in-aid request to Powell River Brain Injury Society for operating expenses.
qathet Regional District also has a fall intake of grants-in -aid.
COSTS OUTLINED: qathet Regional District directors approved the annual operating agreement with BC Transit for 2025/2026 and also received an update on the transit system in qathet during a regional board meeting. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
work and opportunity that exists within the local transit system.
“There’s been a lot of discussion and debate regarding inter-regional service,” said Ringma. “One of the key pieces that would bring that together is the funding and governance through the local government partners – trying to figure out a way to fund that service as it crosses inter-regional borders. That conversation needs to continue for us to progress.”
FIRST INTAKE: qathet Regional District directors voted to approve grants-in-aid for community organizations, including Townsite Jazz Festival Society, to carry on operations in 2025. The photo above features Steve Carson Quintet performing at the jazz festival in April.
PEAK ARCHIVE PHOTO
Tla’amin wastewater project underway
Existing facility will be replaced; new pump station will tie into city’s treatment plant
Tla’amin Nation is moving forward with a transformative infrastructure project that will modernize community wastewater services and protect local waterways.
According to a media release from Tla’amin, the $16 million construction of the wastewater conveyance system project—funded by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)—was officially awarded to Hazelwood
Construction Services and begins this month.
The project will replace the aging tišosəm (Tishosum) wastewater treatment plant, built in 1973, with a new pump station and force main that will tie into City of Powell River’s recently completed regional wastewater treatment facility.
“This project is good for the land, the water and the people,” stated Tla’amin hegus John Hackett. “The economic impact for our nation and the region is significant. Working together with ISC and the city, this project showcases what we can achieve through meaningful collaboration.”
Local and Tla’amin-owned businesses are involved, bringing millions of dol-
lars in economic benefits to the region, according to the release.
“This infrastructure project is led by First Nations, for First Nations,” stated Mandy Gull-Masty, federal minister of Indigenous services. “Today, we celebrate the leadership of the Tla’amin Nation, who have championed a critical initiative to protect local waterways and address pressing health and safety concerns. When we work in genuine partnership, communities receive the support and services they need on their own terms, which is essential for sustainable development.”
Tla’amin will retain ownership and operation of its internal sewage collection system, while contributing
to regional treatment costs under a 50-year service agreement. The site of the former treatment plant will be restored as a public recreational space.
Hazelwood Construction Services, selected through a competitive bidding process, brings extensive experience working in sensitive coastal environments, the release stated. Hazelwood has hired a full-time community liaison officer to keep people informed throughout construction, including updates on traffic disruptions, archaeological work and project milestones. Environmental and archaeological monitors have been retained by Tla’amin to ensure the project is carried out with respect for the land
CRITICAL INITIATIVE: [From left] Tla’amin Nation hegus John Hackett, Hazelwood Construction Services superintendent Daniel Girard and Hazelwood foreman Brandon Huddleston gathered at the site of the soon-to-be decommissioned sewage treatment plant in Tla’amin. After work is completed, Tla’amin’s wastewater will be tied into City of Powell River’s consolidated wastewater treatment plant. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
and cultural values.
“Hazelwood Construction is thrilled to be working for Tla’amin Nation on the wastewater conveyance project,” stated general manager Paul Noel. “At Hazelwood, we aim to make a meaningful difference in the communities that we operate in.
“This project with Tla’amin Nation and its associated companies is an exceptional opportunity to showcase what is possible when all parties collaborate towards a common goal.”
Construction kicked off this month and is expected to be completed by fall 2026.
Focus on fires
Every summer, British Columbians face a growing threat of wildfires. With drier conditions and rising temperatures becoming the norm, the risk of human-caused forest fires is higher than ever.
Each resident, camper and visitor has a role to play in protecting our forests, homes and community. Being careless is not an option.
In recent years, wildfires have devastated communities in BC and Alberta, destroying property, displacing families and threatening lives. Similar events are playing out across the country in 2025.
While not all fires can be prevented due to natural causes, many start because of human activity. Careless acts leading to some of the incidents can be avoided with due diligence and common sense.
Whether it’s an unattended campfire (which are banned in the area as of last week), a discarded cigarette or sparks from machinery, lack of awareness and small mistakes can lead to major consequences. Due to the forested area surrounding and within qathet Regional District, extra precautions need to be taken when super-
Preventable death
Deeply rooted gratitude goes out to every single person who wholeheartedly supported translocating the lone, young male grizzly bear on Texada Island, who captured our hearts and imagination [“Texada grizzly found dead after reported shooting,” July 17].
Our provincial government intentionally chose to prioritize its steadfast refusal to set a precedent by moving him a third time. Rather than realize the very real
vising children, cooking outdoors, using machinery or smoking. Regarding the latter, littering is despicable at any time of year, regardless of the item, but discarding a smouldering cigarette butt improperly in dry conditions shows a general disregard for the environment, people and properties.
We are fortunate to live in an area rich with natural beauty. But that privilege comes with responsibility.
Following Coastal Fire Centre and municipal bans, reporting smoke or illegal burning and properly extinguishing all fires are basic but essential steps. For people exploring the backcountry, planning ahead and knowing the risks is crucial. When conditions are dry, a campfire should not be part of the plan.
Emergency services and wildfire crews work tirelessly to keep everyone safe, examples of which are on page 16 of this issue, detailing responses by Northside Volunteer Fire Department and Tla’amin Fire Department.
As the summer heat continues, treat fire safety as a personal responsibility. What can you do to help avoid potential disaster and safeguard our region?
possibility of him living a rich full life, he suffered an entirely preventable, human-caused, horrific death.
Today British Columbia is less super and less natural. What is the point of having our provincial government represent us, when they don’t represent the will of the people?
Steve Perkins Van Anda
Site concerns
With regard to selling or leasing
City of Powell River properties to reduce property taxes, I am deeply concerned that the old arena site would be considered as one of the properties to be sold or leased for commercial purposes [“Cityowned land sales supported by mayor,” July 10].
The old arena site is part of Willingdon Beach Park. There is a covenant on the entire area which designates it as parkland.
I came to Powell River in the 1960s and attended the Powell River Arena, on the Willingdon Beach Park site, for skating, hock-
ey and community functions such as the Fall Fair. The arena was used by an entire community for public use only.
The area is flat, and adjacent to a beach which was used for thousands of years to land canoes by Tla’amin Nation. The traditional name for the area is Ah joo miexw, meaning flat clear ground.
This flat area was used as a sports ground by Tla’amin Nation. A village was located near the creek for the harvesting of chum salmon.
In 1928, Lord Willingdon, gov-
ernor general of Canada, at the request of the Powell River Company, opened the park which was named after him.
For nearly 100 years, this stunningly beautiful area near the beach has been a gathering place for our community for markets and sports events. Recently a farmers’ market was held here, and earlier this month the area was used in connection with Powell River Logger Sports.
Thus the old arena site has a multi-use function for markets, »9
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
VIEWPOINT
It’s time to buy local advertising
In February 2024, after Bell Media announced 4,800 job cuts across Canada, BC premier David Eby spoke passionately about the need for people to get “accurate, impartial, reliable information in an age of disinformation and social media craziness.”
As a longtime news publisher, I know that 81 per cent of Canadians turn to newspaper content each week for that accurate, impartial and reliable information. So, we don’t have an audience problem. What we have is an advertising problem.
Since the founding of the Halifax Gazette in 1752, government advertising had always been an important source of revenue for news businesses. It allowed us to invest in journalists who produce fact-based, fact-checked reporting that Canadians rely upon.
In more recent years, we’ve seen those government dollars disappear. By way of example, the federal government reports that during fiscal year 2022 to 2023, it spent more than $86 million on advertising. Of that, less than $1 million went to all print publications in Canada combined.
So, where did those millions go? The answer is largely to American tech giants like Facebook, Instagram and Google, among others. Canadians are rightly concerned about protecting our economy and our sovereignty in the face of threats and misinformation coming from the United States. One of the most effective ways to counter misinformation
and protect our Canadian culture and identity is to have commercially viable and fiercely independent Canadian journalism.
The question is: how do we pay for it? One of the most effective ways would be for governments — federal, provincial, and municipal — to set aside a minimum of 25 per cent of their advertising spend for trusted Canadian news brands.
There are two examples that prove this is working. A year ago, Ontario’s Progressive Conservative premier, Doug Ford, directed that 25 per cent of his government’s advertising spending, including that of
jected more than $72 million into the local community media sector. This helped critical information reach New Yorkers who rely on community media as their primary source of news, and added an important source of revenue for these outlets.”
The not-for-profit Rebuild Local News found that advertising set-asides, done right, have the following benefits:
First, they can provide substantial revenue to local news organizations and help community journalism thrive.
Second, it is money the government is already spending — not new money
Canadians are rightly concerned about protecting our economy and our sovereignty in the face of threats and misinformation coming from the United States.
Ontario’s Crown corporations, be set aside for news publications. I can tell you from the publishers who I speak with in Ontario, this made an immediate and meaningful difference to many news titles.
Five years ago, former New York City mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat, mandated that city agencies allocate at least 50 per cent of their print and digital advertising to community and ethnic media.
According to The Center for Community Media at CUNY, “The impact of this policy cannot be overstated: In its first five years, it in-
sports events, et cetera. The site belongs to everyone in the Powell River area. The sale of the old arena site for commercial use, such as the building of condos and shops, would be a travesty. A change in use of the old arena site from parkland to commercial would require consultation with Tla’amin
By Peter Kvarnstrom
worthy environments lead to a 25 per cent lift in brand rating. News publishers in aggregate are seen as 35 per cent above the baseline level of trust across information environments. And local news publishers see an additional 16 per cent gain in perceived trustworthiness among local audiences, so newspapers are a highly effective way for the government to reach British Columbians.
We recommend BC adopt a minimum 25 per cent set-aside for government advertising, as well as for Crown corporations like BC Hydro, BC Transit and BC Lottery Corporation, to help preserve local journalism jobs and keep local and community newspapers open. And those journalists keep communities and residents informed, so they can effectively participate in democratic processes.
— so it does not require enlarging state or local budgets or raising taxes.
Third, government messages can reach a full range of residents, including those who may not be using larger media.
Fourth, as advertising, it is payment for a service rendered, not a subsidy per se.
Finally, advertising in community news helps government be more effective by reaching audiences through community and ethnic publications that are more trusted in their communities.
According to a recent study, advertising in trust-
Nation and Powell River residents.
Barbara Ann Lambert
Black Point
Long lists
I am not against development, but I wonder if we can handle more and more people [“Development concerns raised,” June 19].
It would also send an important signal to private sector advertisers about keeping ad dollars here in BC, rather than sending them to Big Tech behemoths in California, whose algorithms amplify misinformation and disinformation.
Premier Eby should direct his officials to spend the province’s advertising dollars in towns like Merritt, BC, instead of Mountain View or Menlo Park, California.
It’s time to support the home team by buying locally.
Peter Kvarnstrom is a BC and Yukon Community News Media Association director and publisher of the Coast Reporter in Sechelt.
We have a real problem, in that many people are without a family doctor, and more and more are having to use the emergency room at the hospital. We also have long waiting lists for our care facilities. What steps need to be taken before we can take in more and more people?
Helen Evans Manitoba Avenue
Compelling competition
Fans flocked to Loggers Memorial Bowl at Willingdon Beach for two days of events during Powell River Logger Sports on July 12 and 13. Thousands of curious onlookers passed through the gates each day to witness a wide variety of categories being contested by entrants from qathet region and elsewhere.
ANDREW BRADLEY PHOTOS
1. From left: Ben Fisher, Jeff Coburn, Clinton Bleaney and Shilo Devito.
2. From left: Leah Perrin, Morrison Neall and Misty Oakes.
3. From left: Jason Brophy, George McVicker, Steve Shelton and Victoria Brown.
4. Carson Kleimeer.
5. From left: Judi Lacey, with Jack, Luka, Brittany and Peter Udzenija.
6. Wood carving competition.
7. Ron Hunter.
8. From left: Alex Skodyn, and Matt Lowe (holding Bailey).
9. A winning chop.
10. From left: Jean-Paul Gogniat, April Andrews and Simon Gogniat.
11. From left: Gurudev, Sindhu and Omkar Bajwa.
12. From left: Tyra Thulin, Steven Watson and Mason Schneider.
13. From left: Jacob Astells, Nathan Astells and Caitlin Mazzelli.
14. Wood carving competition.
15. Tricia Forster carrying Scarlet Drosdovech.
Runners complete tough race
Pair cross finish line together at Knee Knackering event
TANYA HILL
thill@prpeak.com
Running 50-kilometres on flat terrain is tough, doing it on the rugged, root-laced trails of the Knee Knackering North Shore Trail Run is something else entirely, according to organizers and participants.
Known as North America's toughest 50-kilometre ultramarathon, the race took place Saturday, July 12, on Vancouver's North Shore mountains.
qathet athletes Mark Grist and Ean Jackson crossed the finish line hand-in-hand in nine hours, 15 minutes and 40 seconds, after a day of camaraderie and trail tales shared with fellow ultrarunner Jacquie Trudeau.
For Jackson, this was his 31st time crossing the Knee Knacker
finish line and for Grist, his 27th completion of the trail.
Another athlete from qathet Darbykai Standrick, claimed first female and fourth overall, crossing the finish line in five hours, 33 minutes and one second. While not a personal best, it marked her fourth Knee Knacker win.
"The conditions were perfect for racing," stated Standrick. "My favourite memory was the final two-kilometre stretch to Panorama Park. Hikers were lined up cheering, ringing cowbells; it was the longest impromptu finish line party ever."
The trail is renowned not just for its difficult 5,000 metres of climbing and descent across 50 kilometres of technical single-track, but also its exclusivity. A lottery determines who will fill the 275 coveted spots on the start line near the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal. The course ends oceanside in Deep Cove, and participants must complete it in under 10 hours to qualify as official finishers.
Thank you
"They say doing the same thing over and over is the definition of insanity," stated Grist, reflecting on the challenge. "Nobody claims the Knee Knacker is easy, but that’s not why we do it."
He also noted that nearly twothirds of this year’s runners were first-time ultramarathoners.
The event is equally notable for its dedicated community spirit. In 2025, volunteers outnumbered runners, with qathet region's Sibylle Tinsel once again anchoring the aid station at Cleveland Dam; this was her 21st year in the role.
"We handed out a lot of pickle juice," she stated, regarding the hot conditions. "Thankfully, the worst injuries were just cuts and scrapes."
Past qathet-area participants in the Knee Knacker include Nicola Gildersleeve (first woman, 2008), Ken Legg, Tinsel, Peter Watson and Carrie Walsh.
The lottery for the 2026 event opens December 15, 2025. For more information, go to kneeknacker.com.
Brooks Dry Grad 2025 would like to thank the following for their generous support and donations! We couldn’t have done it without you.
32 Lakes
Eric Green
Point Group Hospitality
Aaron Service & Supply
FreshCo
Pollen Sweaters
Aero Services
Hair N' Dipity
Powell River Kings
Anchor Apparel
Kelly's Health Shop
PROutdoors
Anytime Fitness
Hospital Auxiliary
ProFuel Propane
Armitage Mens Wear
Ingrid Gatt
Quality Foods
BC Event Makers
Janet Kenmuir
Rotary Club
BCAA
John Zaikow
Salt Aesthetics
Bells Event Rentals
Julie's Airport Market
Savary Island Ink
Big West Wrestling
Kindred Rebuild
SaveOnFoods
Bloom Wildly
Kristin Pancich
Scizzors Hair Salon
Blue Agave
Lavish Hair Salon
Shawn Jacobson
Brookfield
Lockeroom
Springtime Garden
Centre
Canadian Tire
Marine Traders
Starbucks
Carla McKamey
McDonald Marine
Student Council
Charlie Bai
Monks on Marine
Sublime
Chopping Block
Mother Nature Subway
Chris Carlos MR Massage
Sun Coast Health
City of Powell River
NAPA
Sunny Dawn
Coastal Cookery
Nick Bodie
TAWS
Coastal Interior Flooring
Noodle Nook
Theresa Slack
Curtis Yungen
Nutcracker Market
The Shinglemill
Dairy Queen
Panago
Townsite Brewing
Domino's Pizza
Paperworks Gift Gallery
Wendy Pearson
doTERRA
Pocket Books
Westerly Studio
BIG ACHIEVEMENT: [From left] Ean Jackson, Jacquie Trudeau and Mark Grist cross the finish line at the Knee Knackering North Shore Trail Run that took place July 12. SALVADOR MIRANDA PHOTO
Baseball teams gain experience
Under 15 and under 13 players getting steady action against Vancouver Island competition
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
Powell River Minor Baseball Association’s two rep teams have been busy against Vancouver Island opposition, playing some close games and recording some wins along the way.
Brenden Frehlich, president of Powell River Minor Baseball Association, said the U13s and U15s have been busy the last couple of weeks, with home and away games.
Earlier this month, the U15s travelled to Vancouver Island for a couple of doubleheaders, first playing in Ladysmith against the team from Duncan on July 12.
“We lost the first game by one run and we won the second game by a few runs,” said Frehlich. “Then, we went to Nanaimo on July 13 for another doubleheader. We lost by one run in the
first game and by a couple runs in the second game.
“We were in every game, which is a positive. We weren’t blown out, but you hate to see those ones slip away at the end. The kids got to see a couple of new ballparks and they are improving. The competition is stiff and our players are hanging in there with them.”
Frehlich said some of the teams from larger cities on Vancouver Island have a lot of players to select from, and the Powell River players are going up against some triple A players, in some cases, so it’s nice to be competitive.
“We will keep practising, and hopefully, make it through the zone playoffs to get a shot at the provincials, which, this summer, will be held in Oceanside, which is Parksville/Qualicum,” said Frehlich. “The host team will get to play in the provincials, and one other island team will as well. We’ve got some work to do, so hopefully, we can give it a shot.”
On July 5, the U15s had two home games at Larry Gouthro Park against the Nanaimo team that they played on July 13. Powell River beat Nanaimo twice in the doubleheader.
“The first game was close,”
said Frehlich. “We were last at bat and we were down a run, but we came back and won. The second game we won pretty handily.”
Frehlich said the latest results against Nanaimo, with Powell River splitting the two series, was great, given the population of Nanaimo, having many more players to draw on.
Weather conditions this past weekend were hot, but Frehlich said the players were well hydrated, and the players were able to find some shade.
“They hung in there and it was a fun time,” added Frehlich.
As for the U13s, they played a home doubleheader at DA Evans Park against Campbell River on July 12, losing both games. Frehlich said the first game was close and in the second one, they lost by a bigger margin.
On July 13, the U13s travelled to Duncan, playing against Ladysmith. Powell River won that game 14-10. Powell River played Campbell River again the same day, losing to the North Island team once again.
Frehlich said rep baseball is doing well because the teams have players who are
committed, and some really big supporters, including coaches, parents and volunteers who are cooking food and grooming the fields, helping the players get ready, and other activities.
“It’s really nice to see,” he added. “We’re getting a lot of positive feedback from the community, such as it’s great to see baseball back in Powell River. So, there’s a lot of baseball fans out there, even though it has been pretty quiet for a number of years. There’s been a lot of slo-pitch, but to see kids playing minor baseball again in the summer is something we haven’t seen for a while.” Frehlich said local minor
Competitors show off skills
Annual equitation classic a draw for horse enthusiasts
TANYA HILL thill@prpeak.com
Horse enthusiasts and equine competitors gathered at Paradise Exhibition Park recently for the Powell River Working Equitation Classic, hosted by Powell River Trail Riders Club (PRTRC) and Vancouver Island Working Equitation (VIWE). "There were 27 competitors, some travelling from as far as Victoria and the lower Sunshine Coast," said PRTRC committee
chair for horse clinics/instruction
Milan Jackson. "There was a good audience, but we encourage even more people to come out next year."
The competition, which took place on Saturday, July 5, and Sunday, July 6, had three phases of competition: dressage; ease of handling; and the speed round.
The first round, called dressage, showcases the animal’s ability to perform walks, trots and pacing, as well as animal/trainer communication; ease of handling is going around obstacles judged on style, then the final round is also going around obstacles but based on speed.
Jackson said the sport comes
from a traditional style of riding in Spain and Portugal.
2025 Powell River Working Equitation Classic results: Introductory, level one, rider/ horse:
First place, Alice Bourassa/ Sodapop; second place, Candice Woods/Gunner; third place, Sue Kosh/Eevi.
Novice A, level two, rider/horse: First place, Nancy Garner/ Extreme Whizdun; second place, Anne Muir/Flintstone; third place, Teresa McKinnon/Jonah.
Novice B, level two, rider/horse: First place, Meredith Glidden/ Adam; second place, Leanne Jones/El Cortez; third place, Jayenna Towell/Gunner.
baseball has great facilities, and the experience at DA Evans Park was so enjoyable that Campbell River wanted to return after the U13 tournament earlier this year because they liked the park so much.
“They said: ‘can we come back?’ So, we scheduled that doubleheader,” said Frehlich.
He said it is hoped that minor baseball can expand in the community. Work is being done to put together a U11 team and get it competing.
Frehlich said the rep teams are competing through BC Minor Baseball, which is strict in terms of governing
play. He said coaches take training and clinics through the national coaches certification program to be able to roster a team.
“The coaches have to be certified to a certain level, based on what age they are coaching, before they can field a team,” said Frehlich. “Your team is then in a zone, and you have a mini league with the other teams in the zone. You cooperate with the other teams and schedules are made. In the U15s, for example, we have Nanaimo, Duncan, Victoria, Alberni Valley and Oceanside. We’ve got to get through all those teams to make it to the provincials.”
Intermediate A, level four, rider/ horse: First place, Allison Decock/ Ytzen; second place, Teg Harper/ Fuego Del Mar; third place, Anna Whiten/Jonah.
HORSE SHOW: Equine competitor Alice Bourassa navigates the stock pen with Sodapop at the Powell River Working Equitation Classic that took place earlier this month. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
AT BAT: Powell River minor baseball’s under 13 team played a doubleheader against a team from Campbell River on July 12 at DA Evans Park, braving hot conditions. At bat above is Jackson Parsons. PAUL GALINSKI PHOTO
Land trust trying to protect half of Savary’s ecosystems
Canada
Day to Labour Day fundraiser going well, say organizers
TANYA HILL thill@prpeak.com
Savary Island has been called Hawaii of the north, due to its long white sandy beaches and warmish waters that surround it.
But, the island is more than a sand dune; it's home to unique plants and animals and Douglas-fir ecosystems.
The northern Sunshine Coast off-grid island is also one the most subdivided islands in the Salish Sea, according to the Savary Island Land Trust (SILT).
SILT executive director Liz Webster said the group is on a mission to protect 50 per cent of Savary’s land. Now, with a recent land donation, the organization is one step closer to that goal.
"It started with a donor named Carmen Cadrin, who was willing to donate half the value of her lot," said
Webster. "It's adjacent to a parcel that we already own."
The lot is located in a Douglas-fir forest on Vancouver Boulevard. The goal is to raise $135,000 for the land by Labour Day. So far, $105,000 has been raised and the last push is on for $30,000 more.
"The donor is a retired biologist from the [BC] Conservation Data Centre, and she came here over 20 years ago when we brought a whole bunch of scientists to document the sensitive ecosystems on Savary Island," said Webster. "She [Cadrin] fell in love with the island, and bought a [land] lot, but it never got developed."
Webster said Cadrin had a campsite set up on the site, but when her husband passed away, she decided she wanted to donate half the value of the land to SILT's Nature Legacy Fund.
Today, 43 per cent of the island is protected by the Nature Trust of BC, the province of BC and SILT.
"The legacy fund is the fund we use to raise money to acquire land," said Webster. "So a donation to
that fund can only be used for land acquisition."
Save the Heart of Savary was the organization's first campaign, which took 22 years, and in 2018, 350 acres of the last undivided land on Savary Island was preserved. The area features what SILT deems the greatest remaining example of dunes within the rare coastal Douglas-fir biogeoclimatic zone (CDF) and one of the best examples of coastal sand dunes in Canada.
According to SILT's website, the area also is home to more than 250-year-old and mature second-growth forest, holds the largest groundwater recharge zone on Savary, more than 12,000 feet of waterfront and the only trail network on Savary.
"Being a charity, our focus is a public good; in this case, conserving nature and also educating people around nature," said Webster. "The density [on Savary] is so insane, absolutely beyond comprehension."
The island was subdivided into 50-foot lots in 1910, and has the highest density of subdivision in qathet Regional District, but no
services, zoning, land use bylaws or enforcement, according to Webster. Folks visiting Savary can only get there by using the persononly water taxi, so one might be surprised to see so many vehicles and homes on the 7.5 kilometre long stretch of land.
"We have a large portion of the community that is opposed to any regulation," said Webster. "Everybody hates all the dust, all the traffic, and the continual
building all over the island."
Webster said the only thing in her opinion that can be done to preserve what people love about the island, is to protect more of it.
"My answer again, which has been the same for 30 years, is more land conservation," said Webster. "If we want Savary Island to be sustainable, that's what we need to do."
She said most of the donations come from Savary Islanders.
"The Heart of Savary, that's owned by the Nature Trust of BC; we raised the money for them, and every penny came from Savary Island," said Webster.
Last year SILT was able to raise funds to save a native meadow within an at-risk Coastal Douglas-fir Ecosystem located on 1254 Tennyson Road on the island.
"We were able to raise the money in about three weeks," said Webster.
Motion put forward to explore new technology
Overwhelming support from island residents to adopt early fire detection system
TANYA HILL
thill@prpeak.com
Although the wildfire season in southern BC has been fairly mild so far this summer, recent fires in Squamish, on Vancouver Island and in qathet Regional District
have put people on edge.
Currently, Savary Islanders are exploring the idea of adopting an early fire detection technology.
"Fire is the biggest concern of the community, second only to water," said Liz Webster, executive director of Savary Island Land Trust (SILT). "This early detection technology, it's really quite extraordinarily cool; we did present the idea to the Association of the Savary Island Community (ASIC) at their last AGM."
Savary Island has three fire halls and a volunteer fire department due to the fact that Savary is so
dry in the summer. One spark could easily spread across the island, causing a lot of damage to property and surrounding forested environment.
Webster and Peter Armstrong, who is chair of the volunteer board of directors for the Nature Trust of British Columbia and a SILT member, presented a motion to do research and put a committee together to find out if they can bring the technology, called SenseNet, to the island.
Webster said Cortes Island is in the process of adopting the technology and the community of
Vernon, BC, already uses early fire detection.
"This could be quite extraordinary; we're just learning about it right now," said Webster. "We're working with the fire department on this."
At the ASIC annual general meeting on July 5, the motion by Webster and Armstrong passed: 90 in support and seven opposed.
In a community message, SILT stated the following about the motion:
"We all enjoy the natural beauty of the island, but we know that
those trees and homes could be the source and fuel if a fire got away from our amazing Savary Island Volunteer Fire Department (SIVFD). Images of Fort McMurray, Lytton and Jasper are definitely in our minds, which causes us to worry.
“SILT believes we need to be open to new technology to identify fires before they get too large. Providing a tool that can alert our SIVFD team sooner could increase our protection significantly. "
SenseNet has issued a proposal specifically for Savary Island.
ISLAND TOUR: In May, Savary Island Land Trust executive director Liz Webster [third from the right] took a group on a tour of protected areas on the island. The group included: MLA and minister of water, land and resource stewardship Randene Neill; qathet Regional District Area A director Jason Lennox; Tla’amin Nation director of lands and resources Denise Smith; Nature Trust of BC executive director Jasper Lament; Savary Island beach cleanup organizer Catherine Ostler; and MLA constituency advisor Tracey Bellmane. JASPER LAMENT PHOTO
Crew rescues biker
Search and rescue and ambulance members summoned to Mt. Mahony
Powell River Search and Rescue (PRSAR) was tasked on July 9 to extricate a female mountain biker from the Mount Mahony trail network who had experienced a fall.
PRSAR collaborated with BC Emergency Health Service (BCEHS)
SUDOKU
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once. Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. Remember: you must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column or 3x3 box.
paramedics who were first on scene to stabilize the subject, according to a PRSAR social media post. The response was rapid, and the patient was carried by stretcher to a waiting ambulance in under an hour.
Chad Honey, a PRSAR volunteer, said it was a straightforward call.
“There was a quick response and it ended up that the ambulance crews were able to access and respond,” said Honey. “It took a bit of stress off us.
“We got out there and knew the area. We’ve been doing a lot of training on Mt. Mahony, helping with the bike
races and other activities. We knew exactly where to go.”
Honey said PRSAR crews carried the stretcher 300 metres up the hill and into the ambulance.
He said in the area where the accident occurred, a trail goes over a bridge. He said the rider fell off the bridge, fell off the bike, and had a hard landing.
“We would like to thank the bystanders, BCEHS responders, and SAR members for this prompt response,” the post stated. “We wish the injured biker a quick recovery.”
Logger group starts fund
A Powell River-area forest industry worker died in a workplace accident on July 10. BC Coroners Service is investigating the death of Ron Hollingsworth, which occurred on Goat Island, near Powell River.
According to a GoFundMe page set up for Hollingsworth by Powell River Logger Sports Association: “Our tight-knit Powell River community suffered a heartbreaking loss. Ron Hollingsworth, a dedicated logger, loving husband and proud father of three, tragically lost his life in a workplace accident while doing what he loved in the forests of our region.
“Ron was a true family man—hardworking, generous and deeply involved in the lives of his children and community. His sudden passing has left an unimaginable void for his
wife and children, and we are rallying together to support them through this devastating time.
“We want to honour Ron’s legacy and offer real, tangible help to his family. All funds raised will go directly to his wife and children to help cover immediate expenses, support the kids’ future needs, and give the family space to grieve without financial worry.
“Let’s show what it means to be part of Powell River. Whether you knew Ron personally or simply want to support a local family in need, every donation matters. Thank you for supporting the Hollingsworth family.”
The GoFundMe campaign (gofundme.com/f/support-thefamily-of-ron-hollingsworth) has a target of $35,000. More than $32,000 had been raised as of July 22.
Pair of fires contained
BC Wildfire Service reported in the early evening on July 16 that a wildfire north of Powell River was under control.
The 0.6 hectare fire near the end of Atrevida Road in Electoral Area A of qathet Regional District (qRD) was discovered that morning. It was first reported as being out of control at 7 am, then, at 9:04 am, as being held. The wildfire service indicated that the fire was human-caused.
Northside Volunteer Fire Department (NVFD) members arrived on scene first, requested that BC Forest Service attend the scene, then requested mutual aid from Tla’amin Fire Department. A helicopter was also dumping water. Residents in the Wildwood neighbourhood reported the smell of smoke in the air.
"Under control" means a wildfire is not projected to spread beyond the current perimeter, according to the BC
Wildfire Service. "Being held" refers to a wildfire that is projected, based on fuel and weather conditions and resource availability, to remain within the current perimeter, control line or boundary. "Out of control" refers to a wildfire that is spreading or is anticipated to spread beyond the current perimeter, or control line.
The fire was reported at 3:23 am by members of the public, whose prompt action helped initiate a coordinated emergency response, according to a statement from NVFD chief Jim Brown.
“Thanks to quick reporting from the public and incredible collaboration with our esteemed colleagues within the Tla’amin Nation Fire Department and the BC Wildfire Service, we were quickly able to get this fire under control and hold it,” stated Brown.
Due to steep terrain and dangerous trees present, emergency response crews stayed on site for the remainder of the day, added Brown, who indicated that growth of the fire was not expected.
BC Hydro was also on site, monitor-
ing infrastructure and assisting where necessary.
“This was a close call, but ultimately a good news story,” stated Ryan Thoms, qRD's general manager of emergency services. “We’re grateful for the public’s quick reporting and for the mutual aid provided by the Tla’amin Fire Department and BC Wildfire crews.
"This incident is a clear reminder that we are well into wildfire season, and everyone must remain alert while enjoying the outdoors. With a full campfire and open burning prohibition taking effect on July 17 across the Coastal Fire Centre, we urge the public to follow all fire regulations, and report any fires to 911.”
On July 17, a fire on the south end of Klahanie Drive in Tla’amin was contained and extinguished by Tla'amin Fire Department members.
According to a statement from Tla’amin, trees near the carriage house residence that caught fire were soaked to prevent any spread. No one was hurt and no cause was reported.
CARRYING PATIENT: Powell River Search and Rescue volunteers and BC Emergency Health Services crews attended to a fallen mountain biker on Mt. Mahony, extracting the rider to an awaiting ambulance. POWELL RIVER SEARCH AND RESCUE PHOTO
SCENE
AROUNDTOWN
Pride Parade
The annual Pride Parade drew onlookers to both sides of Marine Avenue on Saturday, July 19, to see the floats and witness the joyous expression of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. A variety of groups, organizations and businesses took part in the procession, which gave local residents the opportunity to come out to celebrate and support the qathet Pride Society event.
MADELINE BURT PHOTOS
UPTOWN DENTAL CENTRE
Ronnie William Hollingswor th
Ronnie William
March 30, 1962 - July 10, 2025
It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Ron Hollingswor th Ron was bor n on March 30th, 1962 and passed away in a tragic wor kplace accident on Thursday, July 10th, 2025
raised in Powell River Throughout his life, he loved all aspects of spor ts, including soccer, baseball, r unning, and hockey He star ted wor king as a logger at the age of 15 and maintained this career for his entire life
Ron was raised in Powell River. Throughout his life, he loved all aspects of spor ts, including soccer, baseball, r unning, and hockey He star ted wor king as a logger at the age of 15 and maintained this career for his entire life
Ron met his wife and life par tner, Mar nie, while living in Victor ia They marr ied in 1992 before moving back to Powell River, where they purchased their forever home Together, they built a beautiful family including three daughters and several pets At hear t, Ron was a family man who always put those around him first He pr ior itized his loved ones before all else, attending ever y practice, game, show, or celebration for his daughters Ron always had a quick wit, a joke, and a smile to share with those around him He was known for always being his most genuine self
Ron met his wife and life par tner, Mar nie, while living in Victor ia They marr ied in 1992 before moving back to Powell River, where they purchased their forever home Together, they built a beautiful family including three daughters and several pets At hear t, Ron was a family man who always put those around him first He pr ior itized his loved ones before all else, attending ever y practice, game, show, or celebration for his daughters Ron always had a quick wit, a joke, and a smile to share with those around him He was known for always being his most genuine self
Ron took great pr ide in his family, home, and wor k He was a dedicated coach for all 3 of his daughters He was involved in Powell River Youth Soccer, track and field club, soccer refereeing, air cadets, and was an honorar y member of the Cranberr y Fire Hall
Ron took great pr ide in his family, home, and wor k He was a dedicated coach for all 3 of his daughters. He was involved in Powell River Youth Soccer, track and field club, soccer refereeing, air cadets, and was an honorar y member of the Cranberr y Fire Hall
Ron is predeceased by his father, Dan Hollingswor th Ron is sur vived by his mother, Joan Hollingswor th; sister Linda Lentz; brother Dan Hollingswor th; wife Mar nie Hollingswor th; and daughters Aust yn (Ryan), Bayley (Zak), and Cayce (Jeremy) He also had a big extended family
If you would like to share pictures, memor ies, or condolences, please send to pielleaust yn@gmail com The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life at 1:00pm on Saturday, August 23rd, 2025, at Dwight Hall
Ron is predeceased by his father, Dan Hollingswor th Ron is sur vived by his mother, Joan Hollingswor th; sister Linda Lentz; brother Dan Hollingswor th; wife Mar nie Hollingswor th; and daughters Aust yn (Ryan), Bayley (Zak), and Cayce (Jeremy) He also had a big extended family
Thank you to ever yone who has reached out, shared their love, and helped hold us up when we needed it
With love, Mar nie, Aust yn, Bayley, and Cayce
If you would like to share pictures, memor ies, or condolences, please send to pielleaust yn@gmail com The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life at 1:00pm on Saturday, August 23rd, 2025, at Dwight Hall
Thank you to ever yone who has reached out, shared their love, and helped hold us up when we needed it.
With love, Mar nie, Aust yn, Bayley, and Cayce
Drop-Off
Alcoholics Anonymous
• 604-485-6994
• 604-223-1270
• 604-414-5232 (Texada)
Meetings
FRIDAYS, 7:30 to 8:30 pm qathet General Hospital, third floor SUNDAYS, 8 to 9 pm Alano Club
Sewer Maintainer I (full-time)
Ser vices Secretar y (full-time) Skate Shop Attendant (par t-time) Fitness Instr uctor (par t-time) Receptionist (par t-time) Accounting Cler k - General (par t-time) Storekeeper (par t-time) Cor porate Officer Director of Infrastr ucture Ser vice Human Resources Advisor Manager of Procurement and Risk All applications must be submitted online through the Employment Oppor tunities page at www powellr iver ca
Blackberry Festival Street
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.
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