by Joyce Carlson As chair of the Spirit of BC Community Committee leading up to the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Vancouver, I was honoured to be one of the final torchbearers during the flame’s visit.
It was so exciting to finish my run, and then be bussed to the Powell River Recreation Complex parking lot to join several thousand people for the lighting of the cauldron by our community torchbearer Abby Lloyd. That had to be one of the top memories I have of the recreation complex, but there are many others.
Both my sons played minor hockey and the younger one also played for Powell River Regals. After my dad died, when one of them scored, I would automatically look to the corner of the arena where he always stood to watch their games. It was a long time before I stopped doing that.
An avid hockey fan since I was a young girl and my dad took me to games in the old arena, I can’t comprehend how many hours I have spent at the now-named Hap Parker Arena. Hours were spent watching my sons play, staying up late for Commercial Hockey League games organized by league manager Leo Brosseau, watching the Regals win a national Allan Cup title in 1997 and repeat in 2006.
Feeling the playoff excitement for four straight years as Powell River Kings played for the provincial title was another highlight.
So was seeing Rick McLaren suit up with Team Canada to play Team Norway, and then hosting another Team Norway for the pre-tournament camp prior to the World Junior Hockey Championships. Norway was our home team in that tournament and we all cheered and waved miniature Norwegian flags for the lone goal scored against Team USA in a 4-1 exhibition game.
What about New Jersey Devils defenceman Brad Bombardir standing for hours in the upper foyer getting his photo taken with the Stanley Cup and his Powell River fans? People hugged and congratulated Bombardir, and one person even sat an infant inside the cup.
Each year I watched young figure skaters in the annual ice shows with all the glitter and tulle, and followed the careers of locals Paige Anderson and Doug Ladret as they and their respective partners competed at ever-higher levels.
With the ice off in the arena and tons of dirt replacing it, I was a member of the Rotary Club of Powell River that brought in RCMP Musical Ride.
My love affair with live theatre began in Evergreen Theatre with local and touring productions, including all-time favourite Same Time Next Year. It has led me to theatres in Vancouver, Seattle, Toronto, New York and London, England. I’ve seen Yul Brynner in The King and I and Robert Goulet in Camelot, but some of the best entertainment came from Far Off Broadway productions. CaroleAnn Leishman performed better in Chicago than the star I watched on Broadway.
Both the arena and theatre were venues for some big names in the music scene, including Alannah Myles, Colin James, k.d. lang, Roy Orbison, the Platters and Dr. Hook. Some outstanding tribute bands were very entertaining as well, including odes to Tina Turner, ABBA and most recently Creedence Clearwater Revival.
And who could forget JP Brosseau’s enthusiastic introduction of Stuart McLean with The Vinyl Cafe? I had listened to him on CBC for many years and did not know what he looked like until that evening.
Powell River was named a Cultural Capital of Canada in 2004 and many events were showcased at the recreation complex. I remember attending the very first International Choral Kathaumixw, and all that have followed, and being awed by the singing. I have also listened to young symphonic musicians play concerts at Pacific Regional International Summer Music Academy.
Just this year, after helping to organize Powell River Festival of Performing Arts for 14 years, I was thrilled to be part of Performing Arts BC Provincial Festival. Instead of sending our performers off to another community, we were able to watch them compete here at home.
In addition to watching sporting and cultural events at the recreation complex, I have been a participant in several activities, including many early aerobics classes. I remember swimming in the pool prior to the 1986 retrofit and being entranced by the addition of the kiddie and swirl pools when I attended its official opening.
My first experiences in the gym were in the small room at poolside. Yet another expansion for the recreation complex resulted in the much larger gym area that I currently visit five days a week.
You cannot imagine the solutions I have come up with to life’s challenges while swimming 40 lengths two or three times a week. Once, many years ago, there was a timed swim and medals were given out based on your outcome. It was during that bronze-medal effort I learned you could sweat while swimming. It was indeed a revelation.
So many memories, so many years. I have never forgotten driving down the complex road for the opening 40 years ago. Trees along the roadway were covered in snow that glistened under the streetlights.
Working on the complex campaign with Jean Lupul and so many other volunteers, it was thrilling to walk into the new facility. I felt a pride then that I still feel today when I go to the heart of our community.
Joyce Carlson is a resident who definitely has received her money’s worth from Powell River Recreation Complex over the past 40 years.
