LIZZIE BAY LOGGING CELEBRATES 30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

September 28th, 2014

Second generation logger, Norm Le Blanc, hosted an event recently at Big Sky golf club in Pemberton celebrating Lizzie Bay Logging’s 30 years in the Sea to Sky Corridor. When asked why he didn’t celebrate at 25 years Le Blanc replied “Five years ago the economy, and the state of the forest industry was nothing to celebrate.  We didn’t know if we would survive at that time.”

Norm’s father Peter Le Blanc and uncle Chuck Le Blanc established themselves in Pemberton in the 1960’s.  Norm mucked about in the bush as a child and in 1984 struck out on his own and began his own logging company. 

More than 200 people attended the event, with guests from the forest industry, farming community, fellow logging company colleagues, various suppliers, family, friends and employees past and present.  Key speakers were partners Inshuck-ch Nation Chief Negotiator Gerard Peters, and Lucinda Phillips, Chief, Lilwat Nation; Jordan Sturdy MLA spoke, as well as Susie Gimse, Director Area C, SLRD, Dave Southam, Squamish District Manager, Ministry of Forests and Dave Miller, Forestry Consultant, retired Division Manager from Interfor. Several congratulatory messages were read out from well-wishers who were unable to attend.

Norm introduced his new partner, Gord Menzel, whose father Donald incidentally, contracted for Norm in the 1980’s.  Three employees were honoured for more than 20 years’ service: Dave Stennitt, Gary Poirier and Terry Arsenault.

The community was astounded to see so much clean, shiny  heavy equipment parked on the golf course lawn lining the driveway to the clubhouse. Lizzie Bay equipment included: a loader hoisting a 20 foot banner, two logging trucks, two service trucks, and from Finning and Wajax, excavators and a front-end loader.

Even the weather co-operated as the day began at 2 pm with a 55-person golf tournament; Jordana Shier was the delighted draw winner of a TaylorMade driver at the awards ceremony.  Two different slide shows played all evening, a hilarious skit was performed by Brian and Trish Belsham, live music by the Dawn Walsh band, and even a birthday surprise for Brenda McLeod. There was a draw for fabulous door prizes generously  donated by various suppliers; it was amusing to watch people leave with axes in their hands!

This was the single largest event ever held at the golf course. Guests were given anniversary ball caps, Lizzie Bay tree decals, and live seedlings were handed out at the end of the night.  On display were a few dozen framed photographs by Amie Le Blanc, of various logging areas and equipment.

Guests enjoyed re-connecting with past employees and long-lost friends over the span of 30 years. Many helped make this celebration a huge success, but it was the people who attended who truly made the evening.