Welcome to Lake Flashback. Reporter Sarah Simpson has been combing through old newspapers with the assistance of the Kaatza Station Museum and Archives so we can jog your memory, give you that nostalgic feeling, or just a chuckle, as we take a look at what was making headlines this week around Cowichan Lake in years gone by.
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This week around the Cowichan Lake area…
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10 years ago
I didn’t remind you that it had happened but remember the Town Square project that they had to find more money for? Well, it was also behind schedule but there’s good news, according to the June 18, 2014 Lake Cowichan Gazette.
“Renfrew Town Square work ‘back on track’” was the front page headline.
“Work on the new Renfrew Town Square is 'back on track' according to the Town of Lake Cowichan’s superintendent of public works. Originally, the town square was supposed to have been completed by the end of June, with the likely finish date now the middle of July. But that is good news for the town’s council who were beginning to fear the work may not be completed until the end of July. ‘Basically the work is back on track,’ said superintendent Nagi Rizk at the Finance and Administration Committee meeting held at the town hall last Tuesday night.”
In page 3 news, “Council chooses to stick by fire siren after complaint comes from King George Seniors” was a headline.
“The Town of Lake Cowichan is set to stick with the fire siren at the Lake Cowichan Fire Department despite complaints from local seniors. At last Tuesday’s CLEC, Lakeview and Fire Department Committee meeting at the town hall, council received a letter from King George Seniors Affordable Housing recommending the removal of the siren.
“Mayor Ross Forrest believes the siren should remain and is a good thing. ‘Other communities still have sirens as well,’ said the mayor. ‘It’s also there to notify the public. When they hear the siren going, they are supposed to be alert. The public is supposed to know.’”
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25 years ago
That’s one way to get to know your community. The Lake News of June 23, 1999 reported that “New comer, Rick Walton annouces he will run for Mayor”.
“Richard Walton, owner and operator of Raw Resources in Lake Cowichan and who has lived here for 11 months made a surprise announcement Saturday that he is going to run for Mayor of the Town of Lake Cowichan in November’s municipal election here.
“A Canadian, Walton moved here from California 11 months ago. He has been self employed for many years and currently operates his consulting business, Raw Resources out of his home on Grants Lake Road, which he shared with wife, Barbara Walton.”
“I am here because I choose to live here — I have the option in my line of work to live anywhere. We are living in a paradise but that paradise is under siege. I will be running for Mayor. I do not want to see this town destroyed.”
In other news of the day, “Firemen’s auction raises $40,000” was a nice headline to come across.
“Firemen raised a stunning $40,000 against muscular dystrophy in their annual auction at Mesachie Lake Sunday. That was $10,000 higher than last year’s $30,000. In the associated ball tournament, Lake Cowichan was the winner against semi-finalist Cowichan Bay Fire department. Lake Cowichan fireman Ray Bourassa was voted the Most Valuable Player of the tourney. The auction was held in Mesachie Lake Community Hall. A steady drizzle of rain made an outdoor auction unappealing. It went on for 3 3/4 hours, with only a five-minute intermission, and auctioneer Jeff Abbott’s voice became noticeably huskier, though his irrepressible high spirits, one of the perennially appealing features of the auction, remained undimmed.”
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40 years ago
It was the June 20, 1984 edition of the Lake News where the top story's title read: “BCFP plants 20 millionth tree”.
“B.C. Forest Products Caycuse division pulled out all stops last week to celebrate a ‘significant milestone’ in its 39-year history – the planting of its 20 millionth seedling. A galaxy of high-ranking company, forestry and other officials were on hand for the June 14 ceremony, which featured forestry-crew foreman Lloyd Kiss, who has worked at Caycuse for 27 years and who is the charter member of BCFP’s ‘one million tree club.’”
In the same edition, “Meade Creek park gets ‘top priority’” was another headline.
“Discussions on how to develop the Meade Creek industrial park will begin next week. ‘We’re raising this virtually to our top priority in the next week,’ Frank Raimondo, administrator for the Cowichan Valley said Monday. Early next week, he will be meeting with Cowichan Lake regional directors and economic development officer Austin Fraser to discuss several options that could be followed in developing the park, he said. The options that directors John Ward, Earle Darling and Frank Walker will examine will range all the way from total CVRD involvement to a totally private development.”
And finally, “The Evergreen New Horizons Society, whose clubhouse is located opposite the post office in Lake Cowichan, has written to Lake Cowichan village council objecting to imposition of a 10-minute limit on parking near their facility. The group sent a letter and a 75-signature petition to council and the situation was discussed June 12. Group secretary Barbara Watson said in the letter that ‘this restriction causes a drop in attendance and defeats the purpose of our seniors’ drop-in centre.’”
