Work continues on the Willingdon Beach amphitheater, but the recent wet weather has brought a temporary halt to crews being able to complete the seating.
The project is part of preparations for bringing logger sports back to Powell River this summer and is transforming part of the park. Organizers have erected two poles for tree climb event and stands for the springboard chop.
“Logger sports is only one weekend a year,” said Powell River Logger Sports president Bob Marquis. “What we’re building here will be used by the community. It’s from the help of the community and we’re creating a legacy. It’s going to look fantastic.”
This year’s logger sports are planned for July 15 to 17 and bring the event back to Powell River after an 11-year hiatus. The games will feature a number of championships in Canada, North America and World categories. Events will include axe throw, tree climb, men’s double-buck, springboard chop and hot saw, among others.
Marquis said the amphitheater’s location facing the Strait of Georgia sets it apart from any other in BC. “This is the best view in town,” he added.
Building crews are using three rows of forms to pour the seating, so the project will progress in stages as soon as the weather becomes drier, said Marquis.
When completed, the amphitheater will have a capacity for roughly 2,500 people and could be used for such events as open-air concerts, theatre productions and movie nights in the park, said Marquis. He added that various groups have already suggested other uses for the facilities besides this year’s games in July.
Powell River Community Forest provided a $50,000 grant to allow organizers to buy the concrete blocks and the cement for the amphitheatre stands.
