by Vivianne Meunier It takes a lot of volunteers and work parties to make a club. Volunteering is good for the soul. My husband Chris Swan has love, passion and joy for Powell River Archery Club.
Our son Zach was interested in the junior olympic program. Then our daughter Amanda joined. Then Chris and I joined. It was a family outing. Next, we found ourselves travelling out of town for competitions. Devon Behan competed too and his mother Sherie Verdiel looked after the scores.
Over the years, we lost many good members. Wayne Sieny was a world master champion and coached, bringing the club up to its status. We also lost Kim Gentile and Walter Barns, huge volunteers.
Chris has now been with the club for 15 years and is safety officer.
Long-time member Mike Gauthier became president and coach.
Other volunteers include Bill Whyard, our treasurer; always good to have a lawyer in the club. Jayne Maithus and Laura Rassmusen look after ladies’ night on Wednesdays.
Clark Fuller is vice-president. Clark is a huge asset when it comes to work parties. The grounds went from an outhouse to working washrooms and running water. Clark put in the septic system. With his dump truck and hoe he enlarged the parking on McLeod Road. The fill raised our field two feet. The rocks went to the back of the quonset hut to fill in the swamp.
Geoff Swan welded four-by-four plates of steel to posts holding up our outdoor targets. They are buried three feet underground. Work parties made back stops to make it safe. We do outdoor shoots with foam animals, 15 in all.
Safety is everything and we have had a good run with no injuries.
In 2007 we were the first Club in Canada to host the Disability Games with 20 competitors. Mike, Chris, Yves Perrault and Ria Curtis all had to take an instructors’ course in order for it to happen.
Last year the club was awarded a $20,000 grant from Powell River Community Forest, Ltd. The club kicked in $2,000. The grant covered the spray foam insulation for the 120-foot long by 60-foot wide quonset hut and took three days to complete.
Mark Hassett donated the bow locker, for which we are very grateful.
Our ride-on lawnmower was donated, but we sure could use a new one. Taking a couple of hours to cut the field, it is a passion of love for Chris.
The club is open 12 months a year. It provides classes for school physical education, teaching exchange students from all over the world. You can even book a birthday party as long as you provide the hot dogs and cake.
Our community benefits from our archery club and it is an asset. There are kids who need such a sport, because they aren’t team-players. Doors are always open for new members.
Vivianne Meunier was born and raised in Powell River.
