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One of Canada’s fastest-growing legal outfits has crossed the Salish Sea and set up shop on Marine Avenue.
Pier Law & Mediation—ranked 88th on The Globe and Mail’s 2024 list of Canada’s top growing companies after a 477 per cent three-year revenue climb—officially opened an office in the qathet region on May 26, promising what founder Kendelle Pollitt calls “grounded, community-driven counsel” across family law, mediation, and wills and estates.
“This isn’t expansion for the sake of growth—it’s about growing where we feel called to serve, where our values already belong, and where some of my family resides,” says Pollitt, who founded the White Rock-based firm in 2019. “Opening our doors here isn’t just about offering legal services, it’s about building trust, real, long-term, earned trust. We’re here to listen deeply, show up consistently and become part of the fabric of this community.
“Growth follows trust. And trust is built by showing up consistently, clearly and with heart. Vision isn’t just about where you’re going, it’s about how you lead while getting there. For us, that means integrity, courage and community first.”
Local families may recognize the
firm’s first resident counsel.
“Practicing law in Powell River isn’t just what I do, it’s who I serve,” explains Katya Buck. “These are my neighbours, my community and my roots. It’s a privilege to support people I’ve known for years— through life’s challenges, through transitions and in planning for what matters most.
“Whether it’s family law or wills and estates, my goal is always the same: clarity, compassion and peace of mind.”
The new office is Pier’s fourth location—joining White Rock, Vancouver and Tsawwassen— and the first outside of the Lower Mainland.
“Pier’s growth is deeply personal; it reflects everything we were raised to believe in: working hard, taking care of people and leading with integrity,” says longtime local resident Janine Pollitt, the firm’s office manager and Kendelle’s sister.
“We’re not just expanding, we’re building a team that lives our values, wherever we go. Powell River isn’t a checkbox. It’s a community we’re proud to be part of, and we’re here for the long haul.”
something real when they interact with Pier Law. We lead with kindness and a deep respect for community. That’s what people remember, and that’s what keeps us growing.”
Pier Law & Mediation is already showing up as a community partner by joining Powell River Chamber of Commerce, serving as the gold sponsor for the Rotary Club/Chamber’s 2025 Chamber Cup at Myrtle Point Golf Club, and supporting the fourth Annual Thichum Cup ball-hockey weekend from June 6 to 8 under the banner “qathet–working together.” The firm is also funding student scholarships to spark the next generation of local changemakers.
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The firm’s head of marketing Kiki Meyers says that philosophy is why the firm keeps gaining ground.
“We’re one of Canada’s fastestgrowing firms for a reason, and it’s not just strategy or scale,” adds Meyers. “It’s because people feel
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That same spirit of investment extends to its own team: the new office is already growing, currently hiring a legal assistant and a family lawyer, with both job postings available on Indeed.”
For residents seeking clear, compassionate help with family law, mediation or wills and estates, Pier Law & Mediation is now booking confidential consultations. Call 604.560.8285 or go to pierfamilylawyers.com/ appointments to get started. Office hours at 105-4675 Marine Avenue are 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday.
[Left to right] Kiki Meyers, Muneet Sidhu, Kendelle Pollitt, Tanbir Dhami, Janine Pollitt, Katya Buck, Darcy Rai and Sareen Takhar.
Photographer documents hundreds of locations
Film commission and movie production interested in images of the region
TANYA HILL
thill@prpeak.com
Local photographer and videographer Astra Balogh has had a busy, fun and intense year, working first for the Vancouver Island North Film Commission (INFilm) taking photos of close to 200 locations in the qathet region. Then, very recently, she worked for a film company shooting The Eden Express, an upcoming feature film adapted from Mark Vonnegut’s 1975 memoir of the same name.
“I had a contract through INFilm for just over a year, and it was supposed to be, at first, for [taking photographs of] maybe 150 locations,” said Balogh. “They gave me only about 50 specific locations, and then they increased to 200.”
INFilm’s mandate is to promote the region to the domestic and international film industry as an attractive location for film, television and commercial productions. The photos Balogh took will end up in an online database that’s accessible to production companies.
The qathet region has been noticed by film companies as of late, due to the area’s stunning geography, great local crews and its somewhat remoteness, which makes it attractive to directors looking for new and fresh locations.
“I photographed all the easy stuff first; every public place that there is, and what belongs to the region-
al district, such as parks, campgrounds and beaches,” said Balogh.
“Then I started contacting people in the city, and the city was really willing and able to let me photograph their buildings.”
Afterward, Balogh started tackling the backcountry, such as Eldridge River Valley.
“They also wanted towns and roads and so I went out to Lund and photographed the whole village,” said Balogh. “I shot the wharf, the docks, streets and avenues.”
Most film crews want easy access to a location, so for Balogh, places such as Savary and Lasqueti islands are off limits.
“It can’t have boat access only; they need to be able to get there easier,” said Balogh. “They need to be able to have ferry access or flight access, for all the crew and all of the equipment.”
However, productions have barged up trailers and gear, as long as there’s space for a ramp in order for trucks to get off the barge.
“This has been one of the most fun jobs I have had,” said Balogh. “I have learned so much of the history of places and different houses; it was pretty fascinating.”
I have learned so much of the history of places and different houses; it was pretty fascinating.
Cup crew
The Stanley Cup final, which started yesterday in Edmonton, has a local connection.
When the National Hockey League (NHL) announced its officiating crew of four referees and four linespersons for the best-of-seven championship series, Trent Knorr was among the selections.
Knorr began his officiating career in the Powell River Minor Hockey system. He has officiated nearly 700 regular season NHL games since the 2013/2014 season and another 28 during playoffs, but 2025 will be his first time officiating in the Stanley Cup final.
Knorr was also part of the officiating crew at the 2019 Heritage Classic outdoor game between Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets in Regina, Saskatchewan.
National award
for properties they wanted, which was a 1970s farmhouse, but I didn’t find the exact property, unfortunately,” said Balogh. She searched high and low for the perfect farmhouse, and wanted to go to Texada Island to look, but it was coming down to the wire and she ended up not having enough time.
“The community was super accommodating.”
Balogh said the location scout for The Eden Express also worked on Can I Get a Witness?, a film shot in the qathet region in 2023. The scout said he loved working here and couldn’t wait to come back.
qathet Regional District has received national recognition from the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators for its Resource Recovery Centre. qRD was presented with the 2025 environmental leadership and sustainability award in the 20,001 to 100,000 population category during an awards ceremony in Quebec.
The Eden Express production reached out to INFilm and requested photographs of as many farms with old houses on them as they had.
“After my contract ended, I was hired by The Eden Express to search
“What they really needed was something that was almost off-grid, literally from the 1970s,” said Balogh. “They wanted wood floors, ceiling, walls, so it was extremely difficult to find something that rustic.”
Balogh said the last property she shot out in Lang Bay might be used as a backup location.
“The people I approached were so willing and ready to open up their homes to me,” said Balogh.
“When you watch the behindthe-scenes of the film, Sandra Oh and the crew say they loved filming here,” said Balogh.
Now, Balogh is back focusing on Astral Images, her photography/ videography business. Wedding season is ramping up.
“I do photography and videography, weddings, portraits and events; those are my three specialties, “said Balogh.
However, she is hoping her experience as a location photographer for both INFilm and The Eden Express leads to a similar gig in the future.
“The Resource Recovery Centre highlights the financial and environmental benefits offered by investing in the circular economy,” stated qRD board chair Clay Brander. “The RRC showcases a recycle-first approach, where prioritizing diversion ensures that waste is the last option. The strategic site design offers environmental protections, energy efficient site operations and opportunities for public education and recreation.”
54 submissions were received for the awards program.
SCENIC SCOUTING: Professional photographer and videographer Astra Balogh had a blast working for Vancouver Island North Film Commission as a location photographer this past year. Balogh was also contracted by a film company to search for the perfect house for The Eden Express, a movie that has been in production in the qathet region since May of this year.
NORTH ISLAND FILM COMMISSION PHOTO
ASTRA BALOGH PHOTOGRAPHER
Council defers forestry resolution
Mayor proposes upping industry’s annual allowable cut
PAUL
GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
City of Powell River Council voted to defer a Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) resolution proposed by mayor Ron Woznow until more research can be done.
At the May 22 council meeting, Woznow read his resolution that recommended UBCM call upon the ministry of forests to take immediate steps to secure at least 45 million cubic metres of economically viable fibre for the 2025 calendar year, and that the ministry continue to increase access to economically viable fibre by five million cubic metres each year until achieving the annual allowable cut totals set by the chief forester.
Woznow said the economic benefits of forestry in British Columbia are well known.
“It’s also well known that forestry jobs and forestry wealth have declined significantly,” said Woznow. “What is the impact on Powell River? There’s $7 million in economic activity that isn’t occurring because of the significant addition of regulations. It affects small businesses, it affects contractors, and so this motion is to let the minister of forests know that there is an opportunity to move forward and to have faith in the chief forester.
“I’ve put forward these recommendations that by and large have been ignored or made
impossible because of multiple new regulations that have been put in place.”
Councillor Rob Southcott asked Woznow where his numbers came from, and added that forestry is a huge concern here and across the province.
Woznow said the last time he was at the truck loggers annual meeting at the UBCM, there were a number of people providing information and he followed up with one of them. He said he asked the individual about numbers city council could use in deciding whether or not to support the motion.
Councillor Cindy Elliott said on April 24, she went to Western Forest Products’ public advisory group meeting and lots of good information came out. She said she believes Woznow was trying to address the current undercut in the province.
“We should definitely be supporting our forest industry, including removal of all the administrative barriers that are currently causing that undercut,” said Elliott.
“What the chief forester for Western Forest Products talked to me about was the need for a BC wood first procurement policy, from local, all the way up to the provincial government.”
Elliott said the chief forester indicated that wood from Quebec was being used for big projects, which bothered local producers. She said Council of Forest Industries data indicates BC is currently the most expensive jurisdiction in the world to produce lumber and wood products and that is mainly due to administrative and regulatory barriers and inefficiencies.
“What I would love to do is put forward
a resolution to UBCM that speaks to the points that Western Forest Products have asked us to lobby for,” said Elliott. “While I might not be liking the wording of this particular resolution, I do want to support one. I am wondering if there is room for us to work together and maybe make a resolution that incorporates the ideas that came from the meeting that specifically talks about streamlining and fixing regulatory certainty in our province.”
Councillor George Doubt asked if there was a deadline for UBCM resolutions.
Deputy corporate officer Jessica Walls responded that June 15 was the deadline, so
Police Patrol: RCMP report
MAY 23
any resolutions would have to be approved by council by June 5.
Doubt said he would encourage Woznow and Elliott to work together and come up with a resolution that might have the opportunity to find support around the convention floor.
Councillor Earl Almeida made a motion to defer the resolution to the June 5 city council meeting and allow Woznow and Elliott and others in the local forest industry to revise the resolution. The motion carried unanimously. Elliott said she would meet with the mayor to come up with wording for the resolution.
Powell River RCMP responded to 129 total calls for service from May 21 to 27, including six thefts, three for impaired driving, two about assaults, five cases of mischief and 11 related to mental health.
Powell River RCMP gen-
eral investigation section executed a search warrant on a local residence as part of a drug trafficking investigation. One person was arrest-
ed and the search resulted in the seizure of large amounts of fentanyl, crystal methamphetamine, crack cocaine and Canadian currency.
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“The community of Powell River is tired of unlawful activities that are occurring in plain sight,” stated detachment commander/staff sergeant Lee Dyson. “The execution of this search warrant sends a clear message that drug trafficking activity in this community will not be tolerated and will be stopped.” The investigation is ongoing.
MAY 19
At approximately 8 am, Powell River RCMP received a report that a Savary Island resident had located his vehicle, which had been stolen from his residence at some point overnight. The
resident woke up and, after noticing that his truck was missing, drove around to look for it. He located the truck with two youths inside. The vehicle had sustained damage. A short time later, police received a report that a second vehicle had been stolen. Both vehicles have been recovered and several youth who were involved have been identified. The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information about any crime is asked to contact Powell River RCMP at 604.485.6255, or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.8477 or bccrimestoppers.com.
WANTS INCREASE: City of Powell River mayor Ron Woznow proposed a resolution for the Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention in September, recommending an increase in the annual allowable cut of BC timber. PEAK ARCHIVE PHOTO
Students share learnings of mental health initiative
Mission is to destigmatize and normalize open and honest discussion
TANYA HILL thill@prpeak.com
As part of Mental Health Awareness Week last month, Lily Gaudreau, Lily Carlos and Mallory Brooks, three members of the Mental Health and Advocacy Group at Brooks Secondary School, had the opportunity to represent their group and present at the Mental Health in Schools conference in Vancouver. With guidance and support from their school counsellor, Elaine Maxwell, the group created a presentation showcasing the work its members are doing within their school community.
Gaudreau and Brooks were able to share the presentation, which highlighted key learnings and the impact of their initiatives, at the qa-
thet School District board meeting on Wednesday, May 28.
“We’re a group of 50 members working together to promote mental health awareness in our school; about 10 of us meet every Tuesday at lunch to discuss and plan initiatives focused on supporting students’ well-being,” said Gaudreau. “Our mission is to destigmatize mental health and normalize open and honest discussion around it. This is so important to us because every member of our school has been affected by mental health in some way, and we believe creating a more supportive and understanding environment can make a huge difference.”
The group created a survey in order to find out how students feel about mental health, and if they are able to access what they need when it comes to resources and help.
“We had around 500 responses, and this helped us gain a better understanding of what our school needed from us and how to take ac-
tion,” said Brooks. “We used a QR code for easy access.”
Brooks and Gaudreau said students in grades eight and 10 were the most responsive to the survey.
“Many of our students at Brooks believe it is important to learn about mental health, and this shows our club is able to make a difference in our school because the students are engaged and they care,” said Gaudreau. “According to our survey, 84.3 per cent of students reported experiencing some form of stress or anxiety during the time of high school. Of those, 25 per cent experience it daily.”
They said 74 per cent of students reported anxiety and stress around school workload, 47 per cent reported anxiety over social pressures, and 33 percent mentioned family issues.
“One of our projects was creating the rack card,” said Gaudreau. “Since kids re ported that they didn’t re ally know where to get help, we wanted to create an in formation card that would show all resources in the school and community.”
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The information card recommends online apps like MindShift for managing anxiety and stress, and Calm for breathing programs and meditation.
“We added our counsellor at the school, Miss Maxwell, who works with students,” said Brooks. “We also included community resources like Youth and Family and the ICY program.”
The Integrated Child and Youth (ICY) program brings clinical counselling into the school setting, bridging gaps where counsellors may not have the capacity for intensive clinical work.
The group said its next initiative is to explore impacts of mobile phone use on student mental health.
STUDENT WELLNESS: Members of the Mental Health and Advocacy Group at Brooks Secondary School Lily Gaudreau [left] and Mallory Brooks presented at the qathet School District meeting on Wednesday, May 28. The two students are holding an information card they designed to help students find mental health resources. TANYA HILL PHOTO
Directors hear helicopter logging proposal
Planning committee recommends qRD board express no objection to licence of occupation
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
qathet Regional District’s planning committee is recommending the regional board express no objection to a Western Forest Products helicopter logging operation on Powell Lake.
At the May 27 planning committee meeting, directors considered a recommendation to advise the provincial ministry of water, land and resource stewardship that the regional district has no objection to the crown land application for a licence of occupation for the purpose of industrial log handling and storage on the northern arm of the lake.
Electoral Area A director and
committee chair Jason Lennox said there was a detailed staff report on the application.
“I’m in support of the recommendation,” said Lennox. “If you read the report, it’s a three-year activity for harvesting into the lake. You will see the different due diligence pieces in there around mitigation measures to the environment; the Powell Region Cabin Owners Association was consulted as well.
“It’s fairly remote, so it is not going to impact a lot of people. It will be pretty exciting.”
The recommendation carried unanimously.
According to the staff report, the applicant is applying for a licence of occupation to support helicopter logging operations. The application proposes 11 helicopter drop zones along the shoreline of the northern arm of Powell Lake to facilitate the transfer of harvested wood to market. The proposed helicopter drop zones and log storage areas were strategically chosen based on their proximity
to planned harvesting activities in the area.
The total tenure area is 67.2 hectares. The applicant anticipates operating the sites for two to three years, after which they will be decommissioned and all infrastructure removed. The anticipated annual volume across all sites is 50,000 cubic metres. The application only proposes water-based activities and infrastructure.
No land-based activities or infrastructure are required. New construction includes placement of boom-sticks, stiff-legs and anchors to demarcate drop zones within each tenure area. No infrastructure currently exists in the tenure area.
A report titled Habitat Assessment for Proposed Helicopter Logging Drop Zones in Powell Lake, BC, prepared by Pacificus Biological Services and dated July 25, 2022, concludes that as long as proposed mitigation measures are followed, the operation is unlikely to result in the death of fish or the harmful altera-
LAKE OPERATIONS: Western Forest Products has applied for a helicopter logging operation on Powell Lake, and qathet Regional District’s planning committee has recommended that the regional board express no objection to the application. QATHET REGIONAL DISTRICT GRAPHIC
tion, disruption or destruction of fish habitat. Proposed mitigation measures include adjusting tenure area boundaries to ensure a minimum depth of 30 metres and a buffer of 100 metres for anadromous streams and spawning habitat.
The applicant confirmed that the tenure area boundaries were adjusted to align with the report’s suggested mitigation measures, the report stated.
Museum society pursues partnership
New facility coveted for exhibits and services
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
qathet Regional District will consider joining a partnership to look into establishing a new museum.
At the May 28 committee of the whole meeting, directors reviewed correspondence from qathet Museum and Archives Society president George Wall, asking the regional district to join with the museum in partnership with Tla’amin Nation and City of Powell River to examine building a new facility to properly house,
exhibit and streamline museum services.
Electoral Area A director Jason Lennox said the correspondence was asking the board to supply a director to act as a liaison.
Wall, in attendance at the committee meeting, said the museum had held discussions with Tla’amin about the opportunity for establishing a new museum.
“We are moving that process along now,” said Wall. “We already have someone from city council that has been appointed to our project development committee. We have lots of experience and lots of other players that know how to get things done.”
Wall said the request was not a financial ask. He said the museum was looking at a $12 million project and
would be looking for grant funding.
Corporate officer Michelle Jones said the committee could make a recommendation to the regional board to participate in the project and appoint a member
and committee chair Sandy McCormick said the committee had to consider if the regional district wants to participate in the project.
“Do we really have enough information to know what all that entails or what com-
We have lots of experience and lots of other players that know how to get things done.
GEORGE WALL
QATHET MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES
as a liaison. Lennox said he was interested in serving in the role. Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne also indicated he would be interested.
Electoral Area D director
mitments will be expected of us down the road if we agree at this point?” asked McCormick.
She asked Wall if it was anticipated that the regional district is making a full
commitment to the project by appointing someone, or was the regional district just making a commitment to appoint somebody.
Wall said the regional district would be making a commitment to appoint somebody, and then any further asks of the regional district would involve a further presentation from the museum.
“If, going forward, we roll into money, then there would be more involvement with the regional district,” said Wall. “Right now, we just need to say we corresponded with you, you indicate yes or no, then we move forward. The time commitment is low. It will be once a month.”
Jones said the request was to join a partnership and there was no financial
commitment.
City director Cindy Elliott said she was in favour of the regional district participating, and that she didn’t see any risk. She said Lennox and Gisborne could perhaps provide a small speech and a vote could be taken at the next committee of the whole meeting. Jones recommended forwarding it to a regional board meeting for consideration. The committee voted to forward the matter to the June regional board meeting.
In his correspondence, Wall stated there are infrastructure grants available to museums and First Nations that could contribute to construction of a new museum facility.
“We would like to apply,” stated Wall.
Wildfire regulations enacted for region
Fire centre prohibitions took effect last week
As of May 30, most open burning activities are now prohibited throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, with exceptions for Haida Gwaii. This prohibition is being enacted to help reduce human-caused wildfires and for public safety.
According to the fire centre, category two and category three open fires will be prohibited throughout its jurisdiction, which includes the qathet region.
This prohibition will be in place until October 31, or until the order is rescinded. It applies to all areas in the fire centre region outside of municipal boundaries. In addition, this prohibition applies to the following types of land within municipal boundaries: parks, conservancies and recreation areas (Park Act); recreation sites, recreation trails, interpretive forest sites and trail-based recreation areas (Forest and Range Practices Act); ecological reserves (Ecological Reserve Act); wildlife management areas (Wildlife Act); private managed forest land (Private Managed Forest Land Act).
According to the fire centre, municipalities often follow BC Wildfire Service prohibitions or may impose different prohibitions based on conditions in their local area. Those in a municipality should check if local prohibitions are in place. If people are within a regional district or improvement district, this prohibition applies as well as any local prohibition issued by the local authority.
Specifically, the prohibition refers to the following activities:
Category two open fire, which means an open fire,
RESTRICTIONS ISSUED: Coastal Fire Centre has indicated that most open burning activities will be prohibited throughout its region to help reduce human-caused wildfires and for public safety. CONTRIBUTED SCREENSHOT
other than a category one campfire, that: burns material in one pile not exceeding two metres in height and three metres in width; burns material concurrently in two piles each not exceeding two metres in height and three metres in width; burns stubble or grass over an area that does not exceed 0.2 hectares.
A category three open fire means an open fire that burns: material concurrently in three or more piles each not exceeding two metres in height and three metres in width; material in one or more piles each exceeding two metres in height or three metres in width; one or more windrows, each not exceeding 200 metres in length or 15 metres in width; stubble or grass over an area exceeding 0.2 hectares.
Also prohibited are the activities listed below (Wildfire Act, Section 12): fireworks; as defined in the Fireworks Act; binary exploding targets; burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description; controlled air incinerators; air curtain burners;
carbonizers.
According to the fire centre, this prohibition does not apply to category one campfires that are a halfmetre high by a half-metre wide or smaller, or to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes. Anyone lighting a campfire must maintain a fireguard by removing flammable debris from around the campfire area and have a hand tool or at least eight litres of water available nearby to properly extinguish the fire, the fire centre stated.
Anyone found in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a violation ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000, or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail.
To report a wildfire, call 1.800.663,5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone, or report via the BC Wildfire Service App. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions and other related advisories, go to bcwildfire.ca.
Template defines our basic needs
I often hear people express: “My needs are not being met” or “How do I tell the difference between a need and a want?”
It can be confusing but, fortunately, we have a template that defines our basic needs and from that we have an understanding of the difference between a need and a want.
The standard model for basic needs was put forward by psychologist Abraham Maslow. His model, referred to as the hierarchy of basic needs, identifies physiological needs or comfort needs such as eating, drinking, clothing. For example, changing the diaper of a baby to relieve their physical discomfort.
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Crown jewel
LIVING WELL
By Deborah Joyce
The model defines safety needs of the individual as the need for a safe and predictable environment. Maslow stated that humans have a need for love and belonging. Each of us needs relationships with others, family connections and friends to feel whole. Maslow identified that esteem for self was critical for physical, emotional and mental health.
On his list of basic needs is something called self-actualization. What does this mean?
In a nutshell, self-actualization means we need to feel that we are living up to our potential. We need
Recently there has been a request by the mayor to council to list city owned lands with future consideration to sell one or more to lower taxes [“Mayor’s motion on city-owned land use fails,” May 29].
The most valuable of all city owned properties is the old arena site at Willingdon Beach. It is the jewel in the crown. What is the monetary value of this desirable waterfront property? Millions.
What is its true value? A billion, zillion smiles, laughter and memories as a meeting place owned by the entire community. A special place which is passed down from generation to generation.
Thirteen years ago, March 1, 2012, I wore a button “Save Willingdon Beach” and attended a crowded city hall where a petition, with 3,500 signatures, was presented to council. The petition opposed council’s decision to build a new library at the Willingdon Beach old arena site.
We respectfully acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional and treaty lands of the Tla’amin people.
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to be moving forward and striving to be the best person we can be. Lifelong learning is key to selfactualization. This is always a work in progress.
We do not achieve self-actualization because then we would stop striving to move forward and we would soon be stuck. Stuck is the opposite of self-actualization.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is often illustrated as a pyramid with physiological needs, followed by safety, then love and belonging, self-esteem and self-actualization. The idea of a pyramid of needs prompted the question: “Are basic needs ranked?” Maslow said no. At any given time, individuals may have some of their needs par-
A speaker for the Save Willingdon Beach campaign brought to the attention of council, a covenant on the property which designates the entirety of Willingdon Beach for park purposes only.
With strong opposition to a library being built at Willingdon Beach Park, council purchased an existing building at Crossroads Village for the new library.
Three years later, on July 27, 2015, a meeting was held at Powell River Recreation Complex by City of Powell River’s parks, recreation and culture department to look 10 years into the future and discuss expectations for Willingdon Beach Park. After much discussion, those present came to the conclusion that the main purpose of Willingdon Beach Park is a public gathering place – a great place to hold large community events. According to one councillor who was present, it was Powell River’s public square.
Some places are just not for sale. The old arena site at Willingdon Beach Park is one of them.
Barbara Ann Lambert, Black Point
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tially met and they may move back and forth according to life experiences and the current environment. An example can be our relationships with others. Sometimes they are full and available and we feel loved and that we belong. Other times, not so much.
The basic needs in Maslow’s hierarchy have a relationship to one another and it is important to see that trickle down (or up) that connects to many things we may think are not included.
“What about our need for freedom?”
Maslow stated that freedom would facilitate the process of having our basic needs met. For example, freedom supports the need
to live our best life. Some have had the unfortunate experience of not being cared for as a child but they see an opportunity to move forward and they take it.
There comes a time in life when we can leave behind the powerlessness that may have been our childhood and we take charge of getting our needs met. We have that choice.
Understanding our basic human needs is a step toward ensuring we get what we need to have a quality life.
Deborah Joyce is a registered psychotherapist with a practice in Powell River and Comox Valley. Questions can be forwarded to her through the Peak
KELLY KEIL publisher SHANE CARLSON editor
Island resident starts campaign to get grizzly relocated
Conservation officers keeping an eye on 'Tex'
TANYA HILL
thill@prpeak.com
After being spotted on the qathet mainland, and now on Texada Island, the fate of a four-year-old grizzly bear remains unknown. The last known sighting of the bear was Sunday, June 1, near Mount Pocahontas. That's also the location of Rock Island Farm, owned by Katrin Glenn-Bittner, where she has lived and raised horses and cattle for 15 years.
Instead of being fearful of the bear, Katrin wants to have it relocated, rather than it potentially being destroyed by conservation officers, who are monitoring the situation.
Katrin posted the following to the Texada Island message board: "My brother, doctor David Bittner, who is a bear researcher from Switzerland, my partner Kelly Hughes and I, residents of Texada Island, are working hard on a relocation plan for Tex the bear, that is roaming Texada Island.
"My brother is in contact with two wildlife experts from the University of Victoria to get Tex GPS collared and relocated once more to a suitable wilderness area where he can hopefully safely remain in the wild."
The Peak contacted Katrin about her campaign to relocate the grizzly, and to talk about a recent sighting of the bear near her farm.
"We also believe that this bear, which has not caused any serious incidents, deserves a chance," said Katrin. "I launched a direct Facebook site about Tex, where people can follow and monitor our plan of action."
She is urging residents to be bear smart in the meantime, and to make properties and homes as unattractive to a bear as possible.
"I have a 10-acre property right behind Pocahontas mountain," said Katrin. "I haven't personally seen the bear, but my partner Kelly took a photo of tracks that look like they are from the bear."
Katrin said she spoke to conservation officer Jacob Clausen a few days ago.
PAW PRINT: Texada Island resident Katrin Glenn-Bittner hopes that the Grizzly bear named Tex, spotted near Mount Pocahontas, can be relocated. Her partner Kelly Hughes took a photo [above] of what they believe is a Grizzly paw print near their farm. KELLY HUGHES PHOTO
"He [Clausen] said he was thrilled to hear of a proactive movement, instead of just not wanting the bear shot," said Katrin. "He shares my enthusiasm about bears, but when we talked on Saturday there had not been any further response."
She said she wants to raise funds to get a GPS collar for the bear and to finance a relocation effort.
"My brother is a biologist who has been going to Katmai National Park [Alaska] for 25 years," said Katrin. "He's a bear guide up there as well as a photographer; he also gives educational speeches to school classes."
Katrin and David were born in Switzerland, a country that was thought to be bear-free. But bears have returned to that country, with mixed reviews from residents.
"It's a similar story to what's going on in Texada," explained Katrin. "We have a return of bears into Switzerland now as well, so there are a lot of people who need to be educated."
She said Texada is known to be predator free, but that could change over time. Instead of demonizing the animal, she hopes folks can start to understand bear behaviour in order to not fear them.
"I talked to my brother on Saturday
morning, and that's when he got this whole thing rolling," said Katrin. "He said, ‘we need to be proactive’; the only reason why we're doing this is because conservation officers have relocated Tex twice already."
However, the tagged bear is back once again, most likely trying to find new territory and a mate.
"I have livestock and I'm not worried," said Katrin. "The only reason my partner noticed the track is because of my son, Cody. He came to me at about 8:30 in the evening, and said, 'Mom, the horses are acting weird.'"
Katrin said she noticed her horses were unusually alert and acting anxious; she believes it was because the bear was around.
"I thought it was the neatest thing, because our youth, they don't pay attention to body language these days," said Katrin. "But he observed my horses and knew instantly [the bear] could be right in the area."
The Peak has reached out to Clausen and Katrin's brother David for comment, and is waiting to hear back.
To learn more about Katrin's campaign, called: Save Tex - The Texada Island Grizzly Bear, go to Facebook and search for “Save Tex - The Texada Island Grizzly Bear.”
CROSSWORD
Hike for Hospice
Four Tides Hospice Society’s Hike for Hospice kicked off at Willingdon Beach on May 24. Participants were encouraged to take part in the annual event virtually by hiking, biking, running, kayaking, or any activity of their choosing, until May 31. Donations can be made online until June 15 at canadahelps.org/en/charities/four-tideshospice-society/p2p/hike4hospice2025. Funds raised will help provide hospice and bereavement support services in the community.
BRADLEY PHOTOS
1. [From left] Anna Byrne, Malerie Meeker, Lynn Webster, Kim Barton-Bridges, Jodie Young, Niki Burnett, Sophie Call, Mel Munroe and Leslie Emory
2. Jo Thomas and Sabine Chapple at the facepainting station
3. Maella Ginn, L.A. Miele and Richard Armstrong
4. Christine Boyd wins the Best Spectator Award
5. Mason Philip wins the First Place Award
6. [From left] Malerie Meeker, Lynn Webster and Michael Robinson
7. Mary James wins the Smell the Roses award
8. Anika Dow wins the Fashionista Award for best-dressed hiker
9. Sheila Peters and Lynn Shervill
10. Sabine Chapple and Druanne Boyd at the facepainting station
11. Regina Pfeifer leads the warmup
12. Talia Dow, Malerie Meeker, Anika Dow and Mary James
13. Scott and Margot Glaspey
14. Mason Philip, Jodie Young, Anna Byrne and Kim Barton-Bridges warm up
15. [Back] Christine Boyd and Kate Boyd; [Front] Druanne Boyd and Sabine Chapple
Humpback Homecoming, part one
the Salish Sea, citizen scientists celebrate and advocate for whale conservation
BY CARA GORDON
As a child growing up in the BC interior, Tasli Shaw
was fascinated by stories of the Ogopogo, a legendary monster said to live in Lake Okanagan. She couldn’t have known she would end up working with real-life gigantic sea creatures: humpback whales.
Playful and intelligent giants of the sea, humpbacks are now almost common sightings from BC Ferries crossings or whale-watching tours. But for most of the 20th century, they were absent from southern BC’s
SUDOKU
inland waterways, hunted out by industrial whaling by 1910. Their seemingly miraculous return has been eagerly documented by a large, informal workforce of citizen scientists around the Salish Sea, from qathet Regional District to American waters in Puget Sound and everywhere in-between.
But despite the cetacean success story, people in coastal communities are concerned by increasing pressures on the animals in a region home to nearly 10 million people on both sides of the border, and one of the busiest shipping lanes in North America.
Shaw is now based out of Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Bay as a marine naturalist, where she’s been witness to the humpbacks’ remarkable resurgence. Using photo-identification, she runs a database which catalogues every whale reported in the Salish Sea by their unique tails and fins.
She said citizen science— data collection by the public or those not formally scientifically trained—is key to the work. However, she added that getting community buy-in is sometimes a challenge due to the seemingly minimal return of contributing sightings which some perceive as just “disappearing into the database” without a tangible reward
“Researchers cannot be everywhere all at once,” said Shaw. “We rely on the many people who have their eyes on the water here—it’s critical to get the most comprehensive picture possible.”
On Saturna Island, about 20 miles as the humpback swims from Shaw’s base in Cowichan Bay, a community group has made it their mission to have as many eyes on the water as possible. Maureen Welton, cofounder and president of the island’s citizen science organization SIMRES, said the goal is to support researchers and gather data which
otherwise can’t be obtained.
“If a researcher is here doing a project, there’s a good chance they’re going to be here in the summer, for a couple months,” said Welton, who has been based on Saturna for 20 years.
“Whereas our observers are here 24/7 and they’re watching all the time.”
One of SIMRES’ many projects is the Southern Gulf Islands Whale Sighting Network, for which about 100 residents of Saturna, Pender, Mayne and Galiano islands act as observers.
Members of the network record and report all whale sightings to researchers, as well as alerting commercial vessels to slow down for pods in shipping lanes.
All mariners are required to keep at least 100 metres away from humpbacks and 400 metres away from orcas to avoid stressing or harming the animals.
SIMRES also watches small vessel activity, after realizing that Transport Canada monitoring of boat traffic in protected marine zones did not include recreational boaters.
“We had the data to show the difference,” said Welton, noting that without local observers, government agencies may end up making decisions based on limited snapshots of data.
Saturna was at the forefront of whale research in the 1970s, with the island’s East Point still legendary for orca sightings. But the history of whale conservation in BC actually goes back much further.
In the 1910s, captain Jack Cates ran a whale-watching outfit off Bowen Island.
Upon the proposed opening of whaling in the Strait of Georgia, Cates wrote to his MP in protest, saying that not only did all living things have a right to protection, but “the extermination of whales from these waters would seriously interfere with our local trade.”
His plea was unsuccessful, and in just three years humpback whales disappeared from the Strait, hunted for their bones, blubber and meat. They would not return for over 80 years.
“There’s a lot of generational information with humpbacks,” said Joan Moreaux, a UBC graduate student who recently completed her thesis on the food web of Georgia Strait humpbacks.
Local humpbacks migrate to the strait from their winter breeding grounds in Mexico or Hawaii, staying in BC waters from spring to early fall feeding on krill and herring. Moreaux explained that calves, once grown, are most likely to frequent the same
summer feeding grounds they were first introduced to by their mothers. Because of the decimation of the strait’s humpbacks during the years of whaling, “That part of the subpopulation, they weren’t able to pass that knowledge [of the migration route] down.”
But now, “They’re not just swimming through here on their way to Alaska,” explained Shaw, addressing a long-held perception about BC’s humpback comeback. “We actually have locals who come here every year. They’re like our neighbours.” The first “neighbour” to venture back into the Salish Sea was a matriarch known as “Big Mama” in 1997. She has brought back each of her seven calves, and many of the humpbacks who frequent the area today are part of her dynasty.
Following Big Mama’s initial appearance, numbers of humpbacks reported have slowly but steadily increased. In 2022, the most recent comprehensive data available, 396 individual whales were catalogued in the Salish Sea.
Cara Gordon, who is from Vancouver, is a journalism and humanities student at Carleton University in Ottawa. Part two of this article will publish next week.
BOUNCING BACK: A humpback whale breaches in the Strait of Georgia near Qualicum Beach. After being extirpated from the area, the whale population has rebounded to record numbers in recent decades. SIMON PIDCOCK/OCEAN ECOVENTURES PHOTO
BC Ferries braces for record summer
Company’s VP of engineering compares fleet to hockey team with injured players
SANDRA THOMAS Coast Reporter
Stephen Jones, vice-president of engineering for BC Ferries, says it's no secret the company’s vessels and terminals are aging while demand is rising.
“Demand is only adding additional pressure and, since it's playoff season, here's an analogy,”
Jones told a group of reporters gathered in person and online for a briefing on the upcoming summer season. “In peak season, all of our players are on the ice. Some are playing through injuries and we don't have a bench to draw from. We have no substitutes.
“Last year, we had a strong summer and we were fortunate that the Queen of New Westminster lost its propeller in September and not sooner. But we can't count on luck, and so we're doing everything we can to repair, but we also want our customers to understand the reality that we're facing.”
Jones noted summer is when the ferry system is at its highest demand of the year, and BC Ferries
completed 102,000 sailings in 2024 during that same peak period, with fleet reliability at 99.6 per cent – about one missed trip per 250.
“This summer we're expecting similar or greater demand and, especially given the volumes we've already seen in recent weeks with more Canadians taking their vacations locally, it's going to be busy,” Jones told reporters. “We saw record-breaking numbers of passengers on Easter weekend and carried 7,000 more passengers this Easter weekend than we did last year, and that's with one large vessel less in operation.”
Easter long weekend ferry traffic made headlines across Southern BC when traffic clogged the Sea to Sky Highway. Just days before the long weekend, BC Ferries announced there would be no extra sailings out of Horseshoe Bay. In 2024, there were 12 extra sailings between Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay in Nanaimo and eight more sailings between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale on that same weekend.
As well, on the Monday of that long weekend, the Queen of Coquitlam left Langdale and was stranded just outside Horseshoe Bay for four hours due to an issue with its "pitch control," creating delays and ferry cancellations.
BC Ferries wants to reassure customers they’re doing the best
they can with what they’ve got.
Between May 15 and September 2, 2024, the company carried more than nine million passengers and 3.7 million vehicles, with even higher demand expected this summer due to increased interest in travel within Canada.
In preparation for summer 2025, BC Ferries has prepped and repaired its 37 vessels and carried out 21 major projects, mostly refits and some unplanned repairs, including the replacement of both propeller shafts on the Queen New Westminster
“At the end of the day, it's a 60-year-old vessel that will be operating 18 hours a day throughout summer,” said Jones. “That said, we are committed to continual improvement. Every year, we identify modifications to enhance reliability and extend vessel life and this includes investigating fuel-saving opportunities.”
To that end, BC Ferries has implemented a series of strategic initiatives designed to “enhance service reliability, efficiency, and customer experience this summer.” These initiatives focus on optimizing operational performance, increasing capacity, improving environmental sustainability and providing more flexibility for customers.
A media release issued at the same time as the press conference outlined key improvements, which include: More than 1,000
extra round trips across major routes to accommodate rising seasonal demand and offer more travel options; hiring more than 600 seasonal and operational staff to support increased seasonal demand; five more vessels offering outer deck pet areas for this year, including the vessels serving the northern routes, bringing the total to 17; more than 350,000 saver fare spaces to encourage off-peak travel; and optimized sailing schedules to better match demand.
BC Ferries also offered some tips for travelling during the summer months and said planning ahead is essential. Also shared was a new Current Conditions Beta Experience website page, which "offers a clearer, more intuitive way to check real-time sailing and terminal updates." It can be accessed by phone, laptop or other
Musical instrument adds sound
Rotarians continue to contribute to community
An outdoor musical instrument is Rotary Club of Powell River’s most recent community service project. It is located near the children’s playground equipment that Rotary bought and installed years ago for Palm Beach.
Celebrating its 70th anniversary next month, the international service club is among 46,000 clubs with 1.4 million members in 200 countries.
“Each year, our club undertakes projects both here at home and around the world,” said 2024/2025 president Kelly Keil. “We fundraise for the projects in various ways and then determine where and how to spend those funds.”
Her young daughter Haedyn has attended many meetings since her mother has been a member and was given a Rotary t-shirt and special designation as assistant to the president this past year.
During discussions about possible projects, Hayden proposed the outdoor instrument, an idea that was accepted by club members. She had
device and includes more granular reservation details.
Peak travel times often come during summer weekends, especially long weekends: Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays, and Mondays tend to see the highest demand.
More tips from BC Ferries included: When possible, book in advance; travel on an alternate, less busy route between Vancouver Island and the Mainland if you can; take advantage of saver fares; consider booking travel during offpeak hours, such as early mornings or late evenings; use public transit and walk onto the ferry; arrive early — customers with bookings should arrive 45 minutes before sailing and anyone without one should be prepared to wait; and stay informed on travel days by checking current conditions and signing up for service notices for updates on the route.
seen one in another community and thought it would be good to have one here.
The club raised $7,500 and received a matching grant of $7,500 from Rotary District 5040. The local club is one of 50 within that district which stretches from Prince Rupert to Richmond and includes the Sunshine Coast.
Rotary worked with qathet Regional District to enable the project to be completed in April.
“I was excited to try it out when I saw it was installed,” said Haedyn. “I hope visitors to the park enjoy it as much as I do.”
PITCH PROBLEM: BC Ferries’ Queen of Coquitlam, above at Langdale Terminal, made news last month when it was stranded just outside Horseshoe Bay for several hours due to a mechanical issue.
PEAK ARCHIVE PHOTO
PARK PLAY: Haedyn Keil is happy to see her suggestion become a reality at Palm Beach children’s playground. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Microchipped pets more likely to be returned
Registry links animal identification to human owners
TANYA HILL thill@prpeak.com
Nowadays it's common practice to have a new pet microchipped or tattooed to make it easier to find them if they become lost. What many pet owners don't realize is that in order for the microchip to be useful, it needs to be registered.
According to BC SPCA, approximately 95 per cent of cats and 30 per cent of dogs cannot be traced to their guardian.
BC Pet Registry manager Priscilla Cheung was at qathet Community Animal Centre on Thursday, May 15, talking to people in attendance for a renaming ceremony about the program.
"Everybody thinks, 'Oh, my dog is microchipped and taken care of,'" said Cheung. "We looked at the numbers and one in five animals have never registered."
According to BC SPCA, thousands of lost and stray animals are taken to Canadian shelters annually. Without permanent identification, it is nearly impossible to identify lost animals and reunite them with their families.
"What it means is that the dog has a microchip, but it's never linked to anything," said Cheung. "What we want to do right now is generate awareness, to make sure the public knows about this."
Cheung said she has seen the look of shock on a pet parent’s face when they realize their predicament.
"So, to find out the microchip number, during your vet visit, bring your dog in and do a scan," said Cheung. "It's always a good habit to ask the vet to scan, because usually they get implanted in-between the shoulder blades, and once you scan, you will be able to find the numbers, but your vet probably has the number for you."
Cheung said the microchip number is usually 15 digits and included in the vaccine record; pet owners can go online and register it.
BC SPCA states on its website that without a contact linked to a permanent ID, a microchip or tattoo is simply a number. By registering a pet’s ID with BC
Pet Registry, the contact information is linked to their microchip, tattoo or licence.
"This is our 10-year anniversary for the program," said Cheung.
All BC SPCA dogs, cats and rabbits are microchipped and registered with BC Pet Registry at the point of adoption. Non-BC SPCA pets with an existing microchip can also be registered at bcpetregistry.ca.
Pet guardians register their contact information with their pet’s microchip, tattoo or licence number. This registration will enable any participating veterinarian, animal control agency or rescue group to identify the lost animal in their care and notify the guardians.
PROMOTING SAFETY: Manager of BC Pet Registry Priscilla Cheung was at the qathet Community Animal Centre on Thursday, May 15, educating the public about pet microchip scanning and the pet registry program. TANYA HILL PHOTO
Civic Arena farewell
City’s indoor rink on the waterfront demolished 25 years ago this month
Portions of the story below were published in the Peak in May of 2000, three weeks before the Civic Arena was demolished.
In May of 2000, Powell River City Council passed a motion that officially began the countdown to the last days for the community's first indoor ice rink.
Augusta Recycling was awarded the contract for the demolition of the old Civic Arena located at Willingdon Beach, which began in June of 2000. The contract price was $184,868.
Once the heart of the community where social, cultural and, most significantly, sporting events took place, the arena had been used as a large storage shed for several years
prior to being taken apart.
Planning for the Civic Arena began in 1952. After three years of intensive effort, the 130-by-220foot concrete-block building officially opened on April 3, 1955. A community-wide effort made the building a reality, with countless volunteers contributing to both the fundraising and construction.
Much of the material was salvaged from the demolished Jamieson shingle mill on Powell Lake. The arena's roof was supported by 130-foot wooden trusses, each one weighing 10,000 pounds.
More than 130 men, women and students poured 1,772 bags of cement, making 220 yards of concrete to cover 17,100 square feet of floor in 20 hours. Some 30,000 pounds of granite chips were put on the wet surface and later ground and polished. Welders from the Powell River Company laid nine miles of pipe without a leak, a feat noted as exceptional by visiting experts. At one time, skaters glided and
hockey players raced on one of the largest indoor ice surfaces in the province. Powell River Regals Hockey Club famously won its first of four national championships at home in 1970, with fans packed to the rafters as the Hardy Cup was paraded around the ice surface.
The ice surface was removed from the arena in August 1975, just as the new Powell River Recreation Complex was nearing completion.
The long-span, wood-truss roof was described as unique in BC by Hotson Bakker Architects in the Powell River Waterfront Implementation Plan dated 1994. However, the arena had fallen into disrepair by that time.
The Hotson Bakker report also noted it would cost approximately $1.9 million to renovate the building to make it into a multi-purpose pavilion. Although many ideas for the treasured building had been floated in the community over the years between 1975 and 2000, none ever came to fruition.
Reporter Joyce Carlson may have best expressed the sentiments many people felt for the symbol of community spirit. In 1975, as the ice was coming off the surface for the last time, she wrote in the local Powell River News: "In the meantime, the arena floor is slowly drying. The sound of a hockey puck hitting the boards is gone. Dressing rooms are silent, devoid of the shouts of victory and the curses of defeat. Figure skaters no longer dig their blades into the seats as they prepare for their double axles and flying camels. At
the end of the arena, the Zamboni is resting, High off the ice, the press box is empty, the announcer's voice silent. Supplies at the concession are dwindling. Compressors are silent, the hum of the maintenance room is stilled. In its place of prominence, the old-time clock has ceased its impartial countdown. The circuit for the siren will never close again."
Half a century after its closure and 25 years since its demolition, public debate continues on what to do with the land where the Civic Arena once stood. What’s next for the waterfront property?
TIMELY POSE: Shortly after winning their third national championship in 2000, Powell River Regals’ players gathered for a photo outside of the Civic Arena, where the team won its first Canadian title in 1970. Demolition of the iconic facility began in June of that year. REGALS PHOTO
Lengthy road cycling event returns this month
Participants go at their own pace to Lund and back
TANYA HILL thill@prpeak.com
Gran Fondo means big ride in Italian. In other words, a long-distance cycling event that is typically around 120-kilometres.
Some well-known competitive big rides take place in North America, such as GranFondo Whistler. In Europe, the Tour de France, a cycling event in its own class, has competitors cycling approximately 3,500 kilometres over 21 to 24 days.
On Saturday, June 21, the northern Sunshine Coast will have its own big ride, called qathet Fondo. The event is being organized by Ean Jackson, a triathlete who has competed in his fair share of Ironman triathlons. He also organized the recent Marathon Shuffle.
SPEEDY
STUDENT: Audrey
Statham [right], a grade three student at Powell River Christian School, raced along the track during the annual qathet School District track meet on May 30. Young athletes from local elementary schools gathered at Timberlane Park on May 30 for the annual event. Students in grades three to seven spent the day running, jumping and throwing in a variety of events.
ELISE STATHAM PHOTO
"I have put this on since I moved to Powell River four years ago," said Jackson. "I'm also a member of the Silver Cyclists, which is a local cycling group that meets three times a week."
Unlike the GranFondo Whistler and the Tour de France, this ride is not sanctioned, not sponsored and has no entrance fee.
Participants are encouraged to ride at their own speed.
"We start at the fire hydrant at the corner of Joyce Avenue and Richmond Street, riding the Sunshine Coast Highway to the Mile 0 cairn in Lund," said Jackson. The distance from the start in Westview to Lund and back is approximately 60 kilometres, but Jackson said cyclists can ride all the way to [or from] Saltery Bay Terminal in order to complete 120 kilometres. Or, do less.
Jackson emphasized that the ride is for fun, so any distance can be an accomplishment.
"The out and back course takes place on lovely rolling hills with ocean views,"
said Jackson. "There will be a barbecue potluck in the afternoon when we get back to town."
Jackson recommends using a roadworthy road bike or e-bike, and to bring a patch kit for flats and snacks for energy. Cyclists from out of town are also encouraged to join the ride, and to bring a tent or book a hotel for an overnight stay.
"When I came here, I found my tribe,” said Jackson. "I still work, but most of these folks [Silver Cyclists] are retired. One of the members of that group passed away last year, not too long before the event, so last year, I dedicated the event to him, PJ Behan."
Jackson said some cyclists in past rides challenged themselves by riding the 120-kilometres but many are happy doing a half or quarter of the distance.
"If you don't know how to ride on a road, I wouldn't recommend anyone attempt anything remotely like this," said Jackson. "Training and/ or having experience riding in traffic is a must, other-
wise it's a bad idea; it's just common sense, if you're on a bike, you better be aware of traffic."
Last year participants ranged from a Canadian Olympian, who was out to have a nice time, to leisurely riders and those who made the ride more of a race. The road to Lund, particularly in Wildwood, has been improved as of late, with crews working to make the road
plan to connect Sechelt to Lund with a safe, efficient route for cyclists, pedestrians and those using other types of active transportation. However, it was noted that the upgrades would cost an astounding $4 million per kilometre.
"It doesn't make financial sense, but of course, I'd rather see decent cycling infrastructure here," said Jackson. "So that older
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low impact sport, less hard on the joints than running, a great aerobic exercise, and it's really fun.
"There's the technical part of it; when you change gears going up and down hills, but it's also enjoyable to ride around a neighbourhood, enjoy the sunshine, but it's a little more time consuming," said Jackson. "Personally, everything I could possibly hope for, that I had in Vancouver, is here as well; it
To find out more about the
BIG RIDE: The qathet Fondo is happening once again on Saturday, June 21. The non-sponsored fun ride begins at the corner of Joyce Avenue and Richmond Street, riding the Sunshine Coast Highway to Mile 0 in Lund and back. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Ultramarathoner finishes tough course
Chase Martinig covers 250 miles of Arizona backcountry after seeing documentary on the race
PAUL GALINSKI reporter@prpeak.com
Having seen a documentary on the Cocodona 250-mile ultramarathon in Arizona, former Powell River resident Chase Martinig knew he had to run it.
“Oddly enough, I’ve been dreaming of it since they first ran it in 2021,” said Martinig. “I was new to trail running at the time. I saw the documentary and thought, that’s insane. How can somebody do that?
“Then, I kind of became obsessed with it and I’ve been training for the last few years and expanding on the distances I’ve run to try to get myself into shape to do it myself. So, in May 2024, I signed up and had time to prepare, training hard.”
Martinig, who lived here until he was 18, and still has family in town, now lives in Port Moody. He said he ran in various places in BC
to train, but mostly in the Lower Mainland. His training involved running to and from work a couple of times a week, even in the dark and the rain of January.
“I was probably running close to 120 kilometres a week from January to April in preparation for the Cocodona 250,” said Martinig. “I work full time, from Monday to Friday, and in my spare time, I was out on the trails, running, which didn’t really leave much time for a social life. But, this was the goal that I wanted so I made that sacrifice, knowing it would give me the best chance to succeed.”
Martinig began his 250mile race just outside Phoenix, Arizona, on May 5 at 5 am and finished just after 10 pm on May 9 in Flagstaff, Arizona. The terrain offered a little bit of everything.
“It started off desert –dry and hot – and then we went into the Bradshaw Mountains, north of Phoenix, and I actually hit falling snow,” said Martinig. “That was just the first night. Then, I dropped into the Prescott Valley, which was more like fields. It was muddy from the rain, then I went back up another mountain.”
According to the Cocodona 250 website, competitors have an elevation gain of
roughly 40,000 feet and an elevation loss of 35,000 feet. Martinig said Flagstaff is at about 10,000 feet elevation, so coming into the finish, there is a real climb.
“They saved a big mountain for right at the end,” said Martinig. “So, we went through high desert mountain passes and through the Sonoran Desert, which is dry. We also had the red rocks of Sedona. It was a bit of everything.”
Martinig said he ran continuously over the course, taking a few naps along the way.
“I tried to sleep, and they had bunks set up at some of the aid stations,” said Martinig. “At the top of one mountain, they had a bunk there and I tried sleeping, but I wasn’t successful. I think, all in all, I maybe got three hours of sleep. So, you start getting sleep deprived and tired and you don’t move as fast as you did at the start.”
Martinig said he wore one pair of shoes for 95 per cent of the race, changing them for one section where he had to cross a river. He said his watch gave him a total of 420 kilometres and he believes he wore the same high-end trail shoes for 410 of them. He said his feet didn’t suffer as badly as he expected.
“I had some pretty bad blisters, and the swelling at the end was the biggest factor, but other than that, they were in shockingly decent shape,” said Martinig. “I’ve run some shorter races and had them in worse condition, so I was pleasantly surprised.”
Martinig said he has been serious about trail running since 2020, during the height of the pandemic, when there wasn’t much to do.
“I used to hike, and then I thought, well, I’ll see if I can go faster,” said Martinig. “I just started running on the trails and found that I absolutely loved it.”
In preparing for Cocodona, Martinig wondered about his endurance, and whether he could stand up to the rigours of the tough course.
“It was definitely a concern of mine that I wouldn’t make it,” said Martinig. “I was ecstatic when I did. There was challenge after challenge. There was different weather, there was some pain in my legs, but I just toughed it out. The sleep deprivation made it tricky, but I kept telling myself to keep moving.”
To help him along the way, Martinig said the trail had markings, but it was also a requirement to carry GPS. He said he had it on his watch, so he followed it.
“When you’re out there for a while, your navigational skills aren’t as sharp as they would be on day one. There were a few times where it took me a little bit to make sure I was going the right way, but I didn’t have any directional issues overall. They ran a great race down there. They had stocked food at the aid stations – real meals. So, it was professionally done.”
Martinig said the ultra-
marathon was an amazing experience.
“I’m back to work now and back to reality, but I’m still daydreaming about it, to be honest,” he added. “I don’t know if that means I want to do it again, but I probably shouldn’t tell my wife that just yet.”
Martinig said he left Powell River because he had to find work, but he comes back frequently because his mother and grandmother both still live here.
“I miss home, to be honest,” said Martinig. “It’s a lot quieter and more peaceful there. There’s no shortage of trails to run there, either.”
INCREDIBLE CHALLENGE: Former Powell River resident Chase Martinig saw a documentary presentation on the Cocodona 250-mile ultramarathon and was determined to do it. Running around 120 kilometres a week in training sessions in all conditions helped him have the stamina to finish the course. ALEX WINGERT PHOTO
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Gordie (Alcide) Robillard
Gordi (Alcide) Robillard
Gordi (Alcide) Robillard went on his jour ney May 2, 2025 He loved to talk about fishing, boating and camping where he grew up on Texada Island He wor ked in the logging industr y and in the quarr y on Texada Island He will be missed by his family and fr iends
ordi (Alcide) Robillard went on his jour ney M 025. He loved to talk about fishing, boating amping where he grew up on Texada Island or ked in the logging industr y and in the quarr exada Island. He will be missed by his family ends
Patr icia Wynne Krell (née MacKenzie)
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Pat on May 22
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Pat on May 22.
Pat was bor n on March 16, 1942, raised and spent most of her life in the Townsite Pat was an active suppor ter of Kings hockey, Job’s Daughters and a life member of both the United Church Women and Order of the Easter n Star (the stamp lady for cancer)
Pat was bor n on March 16, 1942, raised and spent most of her life in the Townsite. Pat was an active suppor ter of Kings hockey, Job’s Daughters and a life member of both the United Church Women and Order of the Easter n Star (the stamp lady for cancer)
Pat was predeceased by her parents, Donald and Bar ney MacKenzie, and her brother Angus She is sur vived by her daughter Wendy Rideout (George); sisters Terr i (Dave) and Mair i (Rob); grandchildren Jennifer (Randy) and Kur tis (Br ittany); greatgrandchildren Gavin, Har per, Luca and Gracie; plus many nieces, nephews and fr iends
Pat was predeceased by her parents, Donald and Bar ney MacKenzie, and her brother Angus. She is sur vived by her daughter Wendy Rideout (George); sisters Terr i (Dave) and Mair i (Rob); grandchildren Jennifer (Randy) and Kur tis (Br ittany); greatgrandchildren Gavin, Har per, Luca and Gracie; plus many nieces, nephews and fr iends.
A Celebration of Life tea will be held on Friday, June 13, from 1:00 - 3:00pm at the PR Town Centre Hotel A special thanks to the caring staff at Coastal Breeze In lieu of flowers, donations to B C Cancer would be appreciated
A Celebration of Life tea will be held on Friday,
Patr icia Wynne Krell (née MacKenzie)
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TERMS
BILL: 604.223.0811
Central, two-level, half-duplex. It’s ‘move in ready’ with no strata fees, beautifully updated kitchen and baths and an 8 year old roof! 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,200 sq ft A-4555 MICHIGAN AVENUE
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GRIEF POINT
DUSTIN: 604 358 2473
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5 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 2,213 sq ft
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KATIE: 604 344 0055
Newer home with ocean view and no GST, built by Creekside Builders in 2021, excellently cared for and maintained.
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KATIE: 604 344 0055 SAVARY ISLAND
This is your opportunity to build your dream vacation home on one of the most beautiful islands in the Salish Sea. This 0.34 acre Savary Island lot has tons of potential.
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$145,000 MLS®18559
Situated on nearly half an acre, this house features a large deck overlooking a fully fenced private backyard adorned with tall trees. 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,930 sq ft 5395 YUKON AVENUE
$549,900 MLS®18867
OCEAN VIEW
KATIE: 604 344 0055
Stunning ocean views, large open space, lots of natural light centrally located on a private road that overlooks the town.
3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 2,818 sq ft
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$849,000 MLS®18668
NANCY: 604 849 5777
MLS®18687
NANCY: 604 849 5777 WALK TO OCEAN
Natural yet sophisticated, this stunning south-facing home is designed with low maintenance and sustainability in mind.
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$1,289,000 MLS®18812
BILL: 604 223 0811
Affordable living in a well-maintained condo on the bus route and a short walk to the Townsite Market, theatre and restaurants 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1,004 sq ft 301-5701 WILLOW AVENUE
$351,000 MLS®18720
DEAN: 604 786 2977
DUSTIN: 604 358 2473
Enjoy the views of the ocean, mountains, and year-round sunsets from this main-level entry home conveniently located in central Westview. 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 2,400 sq ft
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778 986 1691
Great value for waterfront home with suite. Quiet neighbourhood, this home is ideal for those seeking both tranquillity and fine craftsmanship.
3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 3,197 sq ft
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$945,000 MLS®18993
778 986 1691
Gorgeous home set on a fenced .8 acres with a quiet creek running through the property.
20x24 shop with furnished 500 sq ft legal suite
2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,864 sq ft
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$1,129,900 MLS®18820
BILL: 604 223 0811
Custom waterfront home situated in Okeover Inlet on 7.5 acres. Completely upgraded about 10 years ago with quality materials and extras. 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 3,140 sq ft 2870 DANGIO ROAD
