Skip to content

Powell River Logger Sports prepares for crowds

Popular event looks to tweak site logistics after last year’s successful return
logger sports
LUMBERJACK READY: Powell River Logger Sports organizers and City of Powell River staff members have been working together on a plan to improve this year’s event, which returns to the Loggers Memorial Bowl at Willingdon Beach from July 14 to 16. David Brindle photo

Powell River Logger Sports will be putting on a bigger and better event than the one that thrilled spectators last year, and everything is fully in place to fulfill that goal from July 14 to 16, according to PRLS president Gary Amundsen.

“We’re really pleased with what’s transpired within the community so far in regard to volunteers and people coming forward with sponsorships,” said Amundsen.

Last year’s success was beyond anything organizers expected when logger sports returned after an 11-year absence, according to Amundsen. With a better idea of what to expect this year, the group is ahead in planning for the 2017 edition of the event, he said.

“The executive sat down at the end of last year and did a post-mortem,” said Amundsen. “Obviously, we got slammed last year. We weren’t expecting that.”

After the review, Amundsen said organizers began to work on what went well and identified certain areas that could be improved upon.

Due to its location at Willingdon Beach, Loggers Memorial Bowl falls under management of City of Powell River parks, recreation and culture department, so consultations with the city took place to ensure improvements can be implemented for issues related to the venue.

“The venue is challenging there,” said Amundsen. “It is one of the best you’ll find anywhere in the world as far as logger sports is concerned. The place we can improve is traffic and crowd flow, and that’s what we’ve been in talks with the city about.”

City manager of recreation Neil Pukesh said improved accessibility into and out of the bowl area and a traffic-management plan is now in place. That includes parking, which was a big issue last year, and event-goers will be encouraged to take transit shuttles or different modes of transportation such as cycling or walking.

“Last year we had no idea how busy this event was going to be,” said Pukesh. “After seeing it, we realized we need to have a stronger plan in place.”

An estimated 20,000 people attended logger sports in 2016 over three days, according to Pukesh. This year it will be bigger, he said.

Amundsen said Powell River Logger Sports intends to become one of the best logger sports shows in the world, but there are some limitations that cannot be overcome. City staff and organizers can plan for flow and congestion, but it is not possible to make more room for spectators in the bowl, he said.

“At the end of the day we can’t really grow much bigger,” said Amundsen, “because we don’t have the real estate.”

Meanwhile, rumours about sports channel TSN broadcasting the event can be laid to rest. Powell River Logger Sports will not not be broadcast nationally.

“They definitely will not be here,” said Amundsen. “Shaw Cable is going to be filming it locally, and possibly be doing some YouTube.”