The new and improved amphitheatre [“Contest to name new civic venue,” June 15] at Willingdon Beach is a beautiful facility. It is one of the best, if not the best, logger sports venues in BC and will host many other events in coming years.
Powell River Logger Sports Association oversaw the rebuild of the grounds, funded by a grant from Powell River Community Forest. It is the product of a huge amount of volunteer labour and donations from all over the city and district.
I have been involved with logger sports since the 1970s when we raised the first speed-climbing pole at Palm Beach Regional Park. I remember the original Willingdon Beach logger sports grounds as not much more than a small gravel pit carved into the hillside with old stock-car bleachers set around.
The driving force for the transformation to the venue we have today has been Bob Marquis. His passion for logger sports and desire to honour his brother’s memory are what made this happen.
Bob’s brother Bill Marquis was killed in a logging accident in 1984. Bill’s memory and Bob’s commitment have been recognized by this community as approximately one quarter of the names suggested for the grounds contained “Marquis” in them.
Bill was a friend of mine and it would be personally gratifying to see a public honour for him.
It is unfortunate that his accident is not that uncommon in the logging industry. In my career as a logger, I have had to run for my life and as fast as I can move when I’m scared. I know it was good luck or the good lord that brought me home those days.
Myself and the naming committee realize that men and women risk their lives every day so we can live in comfortable, beautiful homes, have nice furniture and a lifestyle to be relished. Too often a logger does not come home at the end of the day.
The committee wishes to honour these men and women and hopes to bring some small consolation to those left behind.
The committee proposed the name Loggers Memorial Bowl.
Arthur Lloyd
Highway 101
