NANAIMO – The City of Nanaimo along with the Snuneymuxw First Nation, Western Forest Products and the United Steel Workers, Local 1-1937 worked together to create a memorial viewing platform to honor the memory of those employees who lost their lives at the Nanaimo Sawmill on April 30, 2014.
“The opening of this viewing platform is a memorable addition to Jack Point Park; it’s a reflective place where friends, families, co-workers and the community can remember two departed members of our community, the lives they lived and the contributions they made,” said Mayor Bill McKay at the installation ceremony.
After reviewing several potential sites, the City’s staff as well as representatives from Western Forest Products and in agreement with Snuneymuxw First Nations selected a point at the north end of Jack Point Park. The selected vantage point provides unobstructed views of Nanaimo from the water.
“We are pleased to work with Western Forest Products on this project. The new viewing platform is one way the community can honor and remember the two workers who were senselessly lost last year,” stated Ian Thorpe the Chair of the City’s Parks and Recreation Commission.
The project used materials manufactured by and provided to the project by Western Forest Products. The United Steel Workers will provide the dedication plaque. City parks crews built the platform and boardwalk with the assistance of a Snuneymuxw First Nation member who recently graduated from the VIU Carpentry Program.
Key Points:
- The City of Nanaimo, Western Forest Products, United Steel Workers, Local 1-1937 and Snumeymuxw First Nation worked together on the construction of a memorial viewing platform for the public.
- The memorial viewing platform was installed in Jack Point Park