FAQs

Yes. Paper copies of the survey will also be available at:

• Cowichan Community Centre
• Kerry Park Recreation Centre
• Shawnigan Lake Community Centre
• Cowichan Lake Sports Arena
• CVRD Main Office (175 Ingram Street, Duncan)
• Cowichan Aquatic Centre
• Cowichan Sportsplex
• Fuller Lake Arena
• Frank Jameson Community Centre
• Select municipal buildings

Completed paper surveys are to be returned to one of the facilities listed above.

The World’s Largest Hockey Stick (WLHS) was commissioned by the Federal Government as part of the Expo 1986 Canadian Pavilion in Vancouver, BC. The Cowichan Community Centre (CCC) was the successful winner of a Canada-wide competition to acquire the largest hockey stick and puck after Expo with over 30 communities and private organizations vying for the asset. The WLHS was then attached to the CCC in May 1988. This was possible thanks to the hard work of the many volunteers of the WLHS Society that was created to raise the $150,000 required to bring the massive structure to Duncan. The Society transferred the WLHS to the CVRD in 1994, and in 2008 the Guinness Book of World Records officially recognized the stick and puck as the largest in the world at a total length of 205 feet (62.48 meters) and weighing 61,000 pounds (28,118 kg).

The WLHS was acquired at no cost through a Canada-wide competition by the Federal Government at the end of Expo 1986. However, there was transportation and installation costs estimated to be $150,000 that was covered through funds raised by the WLHS Society at the time.

The WLHS is constructed of Douglas-fir glulam wood over a metal support structure. While ongoing maintenance has been performed, the wood construction has naturally deteriorated over time. The CVRD retained qualified consultants in 2022 to perform condition assessments and the results indicated that due to the natural decay, the structure should be replaced within the next 3 years. This has prompted the CVRD to seek public feedback on the future direction of the WLHS.

The information collected from the public engagement survey will help determine next steps for the WLHS. The purpose of question 8 is to gain an understanding of the public’s preference regarding design and construction materials for possible replacement of the WLHS.

This is undetermined at this time. Question 5 of the public engagement survey specifically asks about the importance of the CCC holding the World Record for largest hockey stick and puck. The data gained from the survey will help inform decisions regarding replacement of the WLHS and whether the CVRD seeks the World Record for this structure.  

The CVRD retained a consultant in 2022 to provide estimated replacement cost for a like-for-like hockey stick and puck on the existing metal support structure. The estimated cost was between $1,500,000 – $2,000,000 if replacement was to occur over the next couple of years. 

It was noted that these estimates are likely to increase in the coming years with expected construction escalation and inflation. The actual cost can only be confirmed through a formal purchase process and it is unclear how many bids would be received considering the very specialized construction with this structure. There are likely cheaper alternative design and construction options, but those would need to be clearly defined in order to accurately estimate costs.

The CCC Commission will review the information from the public engagement survey that will help inform any recommendations to the CVRD Board regarding possible replacement. The CVRD Board holds the authority over the final decision to move forward with replacement of the WLHS, including approving any budgeted funds for this project.

This will depend on a number of factors, including timelines on how replacement would be funded, required timelines to confirm the design and construction materials, availability of a successful construction contractor and organizational priority for this project. Ultimately, a decision whether to replace the WLHS or not will need to be confirmed prior to the current structure reaching a point of decay that it needs to be decommissioned and removed to ensure public safety at the CCC.  

The information gained from Question 10 of the public engagement survey will help staff understand public preference on funding possible replacement of the WLHS and make appropriate recommendations to the CVRD Board. Funds for a replacement could come from several sources, including: taxation; grants; and donations. The CVRD Board has the authority to approve budgeted funds for this project. Any approved funds for this project would be expensed through the CCC budget Function 420 – Events & Services. Impacts to taxation for participating jurisdictions of CCC Function 420 – Events & Services can only be determined once the source(s) of funds for this project are confirmed; including any portion of tax requisition.

If the decision is made to not replace the WLHS, then the structure will be decommissioned and removed once it reaches the end of its life and or prior to it becoming a public safety concern.