There are all kinds of world records. There’s Jonathan, the world’s oldest animal on land, a 187-year-old tortoise. The largest Taekwondo display of 12,263 people was achieved in Seoul, South Korea. Along with Terry Burrows, the fastest window cleaner, who won the National Window Cleaning Competition in Blackpool, United Kingdom. And in British Columbia, there’s the Duncan stick, the world’s largest hockey stick. But sadly, its reign may be coming to an end. Let’s learn more about this iconic artifact from the 1986 World’s Fair!
In 2008, the Guinness Book of World Records officially recognized the Duncan stick as the world’s largest hockey stick. It’s secured to the entrance of the Cowichan Arena of the Cowichan Community Centre in Duncan, British Columbia. Duncan sits off the Trans-Canada Highway/BC-1 on Vancouver Island. It’s less than an hour north of the famous city of Victoria.
Pro Tip: If you’re in British Columbia, you might as well find out what the deal is with Point Roberts!
The Cowichan Community Centre is one of four recreation centres in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island. It’s home to various organisations, including the Cowichan Capitals Junior A Hockey Club, the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre, the Cowichan Valley Arts Centre, the Duncan Dynamics Gymnastics Club, and the Vancouver Island Regional Library. In addition to recreation programs for all ages, there are classrooms, dance and fitness studios, an ice arena, and a multipurpose hall.
Built from Douglas Fir wooden beams reinforced with steel, the Duncan stick measures 205 feet long. It weighs an unbelievable 61,000 pounds. The hockey stick and puck are 40 times life-size.
However, a new facility under construction in Lockport, Illinois may take the title with its proposed hockey stick of 76 meters. If completed, this hockey stick will be about 14 meters longer than the Duncan stick.
In 1985, the hockey stick was commissioned by the Government of Canada as part of the Expo ‘86 World’s Fair Exposition in Vancouver. Canada had previously hosted the World Fair in 1967 in Montreal. The 1986 World Fair in Vancouver was the last one held in North America.
After the Expo, Canada held a competition to determine its final location. The Cowichan Community Centre in Duncan was selected from over 30 community and private organizations. But it wasn’t easy getting a 205-foot hockey stick to Vancouver Island. It took a barge and three flatbed trucks to move the world’s largest hockey stick to Duncan, where this iconic memorabilia was dedicated on May 21, 1988.
Unfortunately, not only is the world record in danger, but the Duncan stick requires serious repairs. Most recently, a woodpecker has put several holes in the wooden structure. Weathering has also taken a toll on the Duncan stick. Although the stick received upgrades in the last twenty years, it needs more repairs, or it will be torn down. Safety is one of the biggest concerns.
Residents will vote on a proposal that would cost between $1.5 million and $3 million to build a replacement stick. The struggle for the community is the huge price tag versus the sentimental value. Many residents want to save the Duncan stick because it symbolizes pride and legacy. But others believe millions of dollars could be better spent elsewhere.
The Duncan stick isn’t the unique attraction in this British Columbia city. If you’re traveling to Vancouver Island, check out these other locations that include a magical inukshuk village, a 17,000-square-foot museum filled with random items, and a national historic landmark.
Only ten minutes east of the Cowichan Community Centre is Mount Tzouhalem, a summit that offers stunning views of ocean harbors, islands, mountains, and valleys. About two-thirds of the way up to Mount Tzouhalem is the Inukshuk Village. These little stone towers are built and left by previous hikers. Some of these towers have been here for years. Although it’s a small part of the hike, we suggest briefly stopping in this magical place.
The Hand of Man Museum may be one of the most unique museums you’ll ever visit. Housed in an old school, this museum is a collection of random items that owner Jim Shockey has enjoyed over his lifetime. It includes tribal artifacts, taxidermy animals, art, instruments, mineral geodes, and prehistoric skeletons. It’s incredible what Shockey has accumulated in this 17,000-square-foot space.
Although the Centre of the Universe isn’t in Duncan, it’s in nearby Victoria. The Dominion Astrophysical Observatory is a national historic landmark. But the name “Centre of the Universe” is a play on words since the observatory is a place of astronomical research. This is a joke since there is no center of the universe. If you’re near Victoria, the observatory hosts monthly star parties and features galleries of information. It’s a pretty cool place to visit!
With the threat of Lockport, Illinois, taking the top honors as home to the world’s largest hockey stick, the Duncan community has a dilemma. The Duncan stick has brought them great pride for almost 40 years. But it’s becoming an eyesore, and officials are worried about the safety of this 205-foot artifact. They could rebuild it, but is it worth millions of dollars? Or will the Duncan stick have its final bow sooner rather than later?
