In 1971, B.C. Premier WAC Bennett proclaimed logger sports to be B.C.’s official industry sport.
Before mechanization and chainsaws, loggers would show off their skills by competing in tournaments. Today loggers sports is also an opportunity to celebrate the role trees continue to play in B.C. both in economic resource and natural beauty.
The sounds of chainsaws, axes and chokers will be coming from Ladysmith’s amphitheatre on Sunday, Sept. 14 when the local Tour de Rock volunteers will be
staging a loggers sports show as a fundraiser for the annual Cops for Cancer cause.
Ladysmith’s amphitheatre was designed around holding these events and it’s had the opportunity to stage these events many times. Built through the generosity of local businesses, organizations and individuals the theatre still requires the generosity of donations to continue the traditional logging show.
Last week the local Western Forest Products (WFP) mill, in Ladysmith, came through with three very important pieces so that this years loggers event could happen again. The company donated the three very large logs that are used as the ‘dummy logs’ that many of the events are staged around.
“The obstacle race and the various saw events centre around these logs, and when done they are stored in the burning pond until next year,” a Tour volunteer said. “The ones we have now are 12 years old and are getting pulpy so the folks from Western Forest Products stepped up and found three new ones. They made it possible for the show to go on.”
WFP sourced the logs and then lined up the logistics of getting the logs delivered. Glen Waatainen from SDN Contracting/Pro-Cut Lumber Corp lined up the loading and transportation and supplied the boom truck driven by Ken Nicholson. The logs will be de-barked and stored until it’s time for the loggers sports in September.
The event is a free family event and only relies on donations towards the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock. If anyone is interested in helping with the loggers sports event they are asked to call 250-246-0637.
