Corey Martin’s first memory of the beginning of Powell River Recreation Complex was of her mother Jean Lupul being on the phone night and day.
“Those were the days of dial phones so her fingers must have been tired,” said Corey who was in elementary school at the time. “Although there were only five numbers that needed to be dialed at the time.”
Corey was the youngest sibling of four children, including Sandra, Terry and Gary, in the family of Jean and her husband Vic. All of them were involved in many community activities including hockey, swimming and music.
Until her retirement, Sandra worked for 38 years in recreation. Brother Terry was a lifeguard for many years. Corey still works at the pool where she started in Grade 10 and now has 38 years in with the department. Gary played minor hockey in Powell River and went on to have a professional career with Vancouver Canucks.
Powell River had an arena at the foot of Alberni Street that had been built with volunteer labour. There was so much demand for ice time that men came off the ice at 2 am and youngsters went on at 5 am, Sandra remembered.
In 1967 to celebrate Canada’s 100th birthday, Jean had hoped for a new recreation complex. Instead the Centennial Building, now part of Powell River Historical Museum and Archives, was built to commemorate the centenary. “She was mad about that for years,” said Sandra.
There was a growing demand for another sheet of ice for hockey and figure skating. That riled the swimming community, which wanted an indoor pool, and arts and culture enthusiasts who decried the lack of a proper performance theatre.
When Jean realized that competing needs would defeat any possibility for any of the groups, she called a meeting in her home with representatives from them all.
“She told everyone they had to work together to support each other or no one would get anything,” said Sandra.
The next thing Jean did was to talk to mill manager John Manual and town administrator Mike McVea. At the time, the mill paid the majority of taxes that went to local government. Once she had their approval, “there was no stopping her,” said Sandy.
Jean was told that she needed to have a petition signed by more than a certain number of people to show there was wide interest in the project.
Sandra said her mother had “an amazing network of friends, including in the music departments. We all took band except Corey who played piano and took baton lessons.”
“Our mom always liked the arts and took in concerts and festivals,” Corey added.
Vic played for Powell River Regals and coached minor hockey, so another network included the hockey crowd with the Green and Gold Auxiliary, which was comprised of wives and girlfriends. One, Ina Parker, whose husband Hap was an executive member, took copious notes at meetings that were donated to the museum archives by her family.
“Our mom couldn’t have done it without the support in the background of our dad who was forward thinking for that day,” said Corey. “She was on the phone all day and he never said a word when meals were thrown together.”
The campaign was organized and implemented totally by volunteers that Jean called her army or complex boosters.
“Most of the mothers at that time didn’t work,” said Corey. “Every child learned to swim because we live right on the water. And they all learned to skate for hockey, figure skating or just the fun of it. All the schools had band programs.”
During the referendum campaign, the booster committee had people on every corner in town. Jean prepared a list of every possible question and answers for the campaigners to share.
She wanted information to be clear so she had staff at city hall prepare scenarios about the exact amount of money people would be paying for the value of a range of houses.
On the day of the referendum, the campaign committee worried about whether people would show up and had drivers out providing rides to take them to the polling station.
The referendum had a 75 per cent voter turnout out and 75 per cent voted in favour of a new recreation complex.
“The timing was just right,” said Sandra. After Powell River built its complex, Courtenay, Campbell River and Nanaimo followed. “But none of them had a second sheet of ice side-by-side,” said Corey. “It was one of the reasons we were able to host the Western Division Figure Skating Championships.”
Asked about their favourite moments at the complex, both Sandra and Corey said Breakfast with Santa, who arrived by helicopter, was a highlight.
They also point to the retro fit in 1986 that changed a lap pool into a leisure centre. “Some people had never seen a hot tub before,” Corey said. With the adjustments in pool depth, smaller children were better able to partake in swimming lessons.
Both sisters remember taking part in opening day of the complex. “I got lost on the first day I was in it,” explained Corey.
Sandra also mentioned arriving for the evening of opening day, when snow had fallen on trees along the entrance road. With the creamsicle-coloured streetlights, “it was like Disneyland.” While the snow created a beautiful setting, it did prevent Canadian international competitive divers from taking part. BC championship synchronized swimmers did arrive and performed.
Staff conducted tours and a hockey game between Powell River Regals and Alaska had standing room only. A head count ensured that only the maximum 250 people were in the pool at a time. Minor hockey players and figure skaters were featured. Seniors set up displays in the Elm Room, which was designated for them. Powell River Fine Arts Association and Powell River Lapidary Club also had displays in the upper foyer. All seats in Evergreen Theatre were full for a Christmas concert with the community band, adult choir and boys choir performing.
On the exact date 40 years later, December 13, an anniversary celebration will take place at the recreation complex with the opening of Winter Wonderland, free swimming and skating, and a huge cake.
“We’re pretty lucky that we got the complex when we did; I don’t think it would ever happen today,” said Corey. “Powell River was just ready. People didn’t worry about taxes the way they do now.”
Sandra added, “The community cooperation was truly amazing to see, just watching that kind of momentum was unforgettable.”
