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B.C.91Ƶs 91ƵWorld91Ƶs Largest Hockey Stick91Ƶ may soon be relinquishing its title

A 250-foot-long hockey stick is proposed outside a recently approved ice arena in Lockport, Illinois
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An artist91Ƶs rendering of the new Summit Ice Centre and what could be the next World91Ƶs Largest Hockey Stick if the plan, approved by Lockport City Council goes ahead. (Lockport City Council document)

For years the World91Ƶs Largest Hockey Stick has loomed over the entrance to the Cowichan Community Centre91Ƶs arena doors. If plans in Lockport Illinois proceed, however, the World91Ƶs Largest Hockey Stick in Cowichan, will become, just a really big hockey stick.

A proposal is brewing to construct a 250-foot-long hockey stick outside a recently approved ice arena dome in the small city near Chicago. The size of their stick outdoes Duncan91Ƶs Big Stick by a good 45 feet, which would oust Cowichan91Ƶs stick 91Ƶ made in Penticton of Douglas Fir and a remnant of Expo 91Ƶ86 that the community fought hard to have relocated here in 1988 91Ƶ as the record-holder.

91ƵThe Stick91Ƶ was authenticated in the 2010 Guinness Book of Records, and is represented in the Resource Centre, part of the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, says a CVRD information sheet.

91ƵWhile the CVRD is not in a position to comment on the Lockport proposal, they would like to highlight the current World91Ƶs Largest Hockey Stick and Puck at the Cowichan Community Centre has been a community icon and supported nationally since coming to Cowichan in 1988,91Ƶ said CVRD spokesperson Kris Schumacher.91ƵThis community asset would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of community members and has been a factor in the region91Ƶs overall economic development over the years.91Ƶ

According to oldtimers, it was a 20-year battle to get Cowichan91Ƶs Big Stick recognized as the World91Ƶs Largest. Prior to it earning the official record, a 71-foot stick in Minnesota was considered the biggest.

Dick Drew was part of the committee formed to acquire the landmark, along with Bhagwan Mayer, Len Goodman, Karl Schutz and Ron Austen 91Ƶ who all worked tirelessly first to secure the World91Ƶs Largest Hockey Stick and Puck for the Cowichan Valley after Expo 91Ƶ86 and then to move it to Duncan in August of 1987. It was dedicated on May 21, 1988, two years to the day after Expo 91Ƶ86 opened.

In 2019 the Big Stick saw a lighting upgrade to allow for colours and patterns within its 665 LED light display. Various light schemes are used to acknowledge events at the Cowichan Community Centre like Cowichan Capitals games, as well as holidays, and awareness days throughout each year.

Most recently, Cowichan91Ƶs Big Stick was in the news last year for housing a rather pesky woodpecker. A plastic owl now sits atop one of the stick91Ƶs supports to dissuade any other potential residents.

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Sarah Simpson

About the Author: Sarah Simpson

I started my time with Black Press Media as an intern, before joining the Citizen in the summer of 2004.
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