Powell River year in review: Community

Residents of Powell River exemplified the true definition of community in 2018. Neighbours stepped up to help and support one another and protect the heritage of the town and youth represented the region on a world stage.

Early in the year, Brooks Secondary School teacher Jerry Reghelin was top of mind as word spread that he had been rushed to Vancouver General Hospital after suffering a rare brain injury. An outpouring of love and support followed and continues today. After months of rehabilitation, Reghelin was able to move home to Powell River and continue healing with his wife and three sons.

After the closure of St. John Ambulance’s branch in Powell River in February,a core group of former brigade members, together with the help of Select Safety Services president Gary Amundsen, founded Powell River Community First Aid Team Society. The society’s goal is to help fill the need for the volunteer first aid response services St. John had provided in the community since 1911.

Several anniversaries were celebrated in 2018. Captain John MacGregor VC, one of Canada’s most decorated war heroes and a former Powell River resident, was honoured in his birthplace of Nairn, Scotland, exactly 100 years after the start of the battle he was awarded the Victoria Cross medal for his valour and leadership.The Patricia Theatre, founded in 1913, celebrated 90 years at its current location. It was also announced the Friends of the Historic Patricia Theatre Society, with the support of Friends of Film Society, plan to buy the theatre from the Patricia Entertainment Company.

Powell River’s International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 1298 marked the organization's 60th anniversary locally, which coincided with the 100th anniversary of the union across North America. Powell River General Hospital observed 25 years at its current location, and Powell River Public Library celebrated its first anniversary in its new space.

Youth represented Powell River abroad in 2018. Sea cadet Brooke Clansey was one of just two Canadians selected for an exchange visit to New Zealand and Brooks Secondary School graduate Elizabeth Gillen was one of 15 cadets from across the country chosen to represent Canada at the 100th anniversary celebration of the Battle of Amiens in France. 11-year-old-dog trainer Panagiota Rounis and her Havanese, Effie, competed at the prestigious Westminster Dog Show in New York City, where they won New Champion in Effie’s category.

Students throughout School District 47 and beyond received once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunities in 2018. At Westview Elementary School, under the guidance of carver Ivan Rosypskye, children helped create a traditional first nations welcome pole. The eight-foot female welcome figure now graces the entrance of the school.

Students throughout Powell River tried their hands at gardening and helped beautify their schools last fall when they planted thousands of tulip and daffodil bulbs donated by Mother Nature’s Ron and Dianne Pfister.

Youth from Coast Mountain Academy and Brooks Secondary School travelled to Harwood Island last spring and participated in a major beach cleanup and drawings from two grade three students, Kyra King and Maylin Cairns, were chosen to be stencilled onto the sides of two new City of Powell River garbage and recycling trucks. 20 children aged seven to 10 travelled from Hong Kong to participate in a two-week exchange at Westview Elementary and stayed with families of their new classmates while making lifelong friends.

New in 2018, neighbourhoods had the chance to participate in City of Powell River’s block party program, Resilient Streets. Designed to build connectedness and create identity within neighbourhoods, it offered funds and supplies to throw a summer gathering.

Atemporary cold-weather shelter opened this November, replacing the extreme weather shelter that had run the previous two years. Funded through BC Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, it is equipped to house up to 20 people and open seven days a week until March 3.

Finally, the community was out in force this summer at the most popular and well-attended event in Powell River’s packed summer calendar. The annual Blackberry Festival Street Party was followed by Quality Foods Festival of Lights fireworks at Willingdon Beach.