The Cowichan Valley Regional District wants to know just how much local residents care about the World’s Largest Hockey Stick and its title.
“We have a good idea of the extent of work required to replace the stick, but what we don’t fully understand is the intrinsic value that residents may have for it and the overall community support for possible replacement,” says Rob Williams, manager of the Cowichan Community Centre, where the 62.5-metre long stick is mounted.
The stick at risk of losing its title to Lockport, Illinois, which is planning something larger to go with new sports facilities.
Should it be replaced? Made larger? If it is replaced should it have a different design and materials? Do residents even want the stick — and the title — anymore?
“Over the course of the summer we will be collecting and assessing feedback from the community to help us determine the future of this iconic structure,” Williams said.
Built for Expo 86 in Vancouver, the stick has been a talking point in the Cowichan Valley for more than three decades.
An estimated pricetag to replace the stick came in at between $1.5 million to $2 million last year.
Consultants earlier said it should be replaced by 2025.
The survey is available at the CVRD’s Plan Your Cowichan website, planyourcowichan.ca, and is open to anyone who may wish to participate.
Registration is not required to complete the survey, but the regional district encourages residents to create a Plan Your Cowichan account for this and future projects.
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