Log carving at future Powell River Logger Sports events might be cancelled, according to a director of the organization and the person responsible for the unique chainsaw competition, Laura Passek.
Passek said she was saddened and heartbroken upon discovering the recent theft of a piece of an elaborate chainsaw carving of a bench, which was created at Logger Sports in July. She said she believed the theft had to have been the work of multiple people.
“I don't know what made them think they could take the bench apart, but they took the top section of the back part,” said Passek. “It has to be at least five feet long and heavy. They took that off and a small, minor little axe that was on another carving went missing.”
If this kind of vandalism keeps up, Passek said she is frustrated enough to drop the event. The latest incident is not the only time one of the pieces has been targeted.
“We've had damage to the carving at the Patricia Theatre,” she added. “It's been redone three times and now it's damaged again.”
At Powell River Recreation Complex, repairs had to be made after someone broke a piece off the carving at the upper entrance.
Eight carvings will be moved from their current location at Willingdon Beach next week.
A file on the theft of the bench piece has been opened by Powell River RCMP.
In a statement, sergeant Kevin Day said police received the theft complaint on August 7. The piece, created by Damon Gorecki from Roosevelt, Utah, was taken sometime within the previous two days, according to Day. He stated the carving is valued at approximately $8,000.
Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact Powell River RCMP at 604.485.6255, or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.TIPS (8477) or online at bccrimestoppers.com.
