Flashback: No diving, bowling alley turns 50, pets galore

A look back at the history of the Cowichan Lake area

Flashback: No diving, bowling alley turns 50, pets galore Published 11:45 am Saturday, July 11, 2026 Welcome to Lake Flashback. Reporter Sarah Simpson has been combing through old newspapers with the assistance of the Kaatza Station Museum and Archives so we can jog your memory, give you that nostalgic feeling, or just a chuckle, as we take a look at what was making headlines this week around Cowichan Lake in years gone by. This week around the Cowichan Lake area 10 years ago “Lake’s Community Garden may have to move” was the top headline on the front of the July 13, 2016 Lake Cowichan Gazette.

“Although still in its infancy, the Cowichan Lake Community Garden may be in need of a new home due to the upgrades planned for neighbouring Centennial Park. “At the July parks and recreation committee meeting, Nagy Rizk, superintendent of public works and engineering services for the Town of Lake Cowichan, said there is a strong chance that changes to plans for the new and improved Centennial Park will require the relocation of the community garden. “‘The only hiccup that I can see [with the park plans] is the community garden’s probably going to have to go.

We cannot salvage it,’ he told the committee. ‘I will keep working and keep updating you.’ “The revamped Centennial Park will include two baseball diamonds, a soccer field, tennis and pickleball courts, and parking.”

“Low water level forces removal of diving board” was another top story. “There will be no diving board available for swimmers at Arbutus Park this summer due to unseasonably low water levels in Cowichan Lake. “Last week the CVRD’s parks and trails department decided to remove the diving board from the floating platform in Youbou because of safety concerns related to the water depth at Arbutus Park.

“For diving boards, the minimum depth is 12 feet. It’s not the first time the diving board has had to be removed due to safety concerns, although Farquhar said he can’t recall a time when the board has had to be removed so early in the season.” 25 years ago “Youbou Lanes turn 50” was a front-page headline on the front of the July 11, 2001 Lake Cowichan Gazette.

“Youbou Recreation is inviting everyone to help celebrate the 50th birthday of the Youbou Lanes this Saturday. Activities include an open house, some free bowling or checking out the historic photos on the Youbou Heritage Wall.” It’s crazy to think this year is the 75th anniversary of the same bowling ally and not much has changed in that time.

On the same front page was “Timberless Society presses MLA Bruce”. “The Youbou Timberless Society isn’t impressed with a meeting some of its members held with the MLA and several local politicians. “Youbou Timberless Society secretary Roger Wiles of Lake Cowichan says that, despite the Cowichan Valley Regional District unanimously supporting a complete inquiry into what happened to Clause 7, there seems to be a reluctance by local politicians to pursue it.

“The society also wants compensation for the communities and workers, which Wiles says could come in the form of local stewardship of the five per cent take-back of Tree Farm Licence 44 now currently available for repatriation from Weyerhaeuser. “‘Anything we can get will help,’ says Wiles. ‘We want some access to the trees in our public forests through the co-op.

That would provide community-focused, forest-based employment to this valley.’” 40 years ago “Some resist bylaw” was one front page story on the cover of the July 9, 1986 Lake News, though you had to read the story to learn what bylaw it was about. “The dirt-bike bylaw is a strong issue both with those who lodged complaints about noise and damage, and those with dirt-bikes.

The Lake News carried out an informal random telephone survey of the opinions of Lake Cowichan residents. “The opinion shared by most is that irresponsible bike riders must be controlled, but responsible kids shouldn’t be completely banned from riding their bikes. A designated area for the bike riders is the common suggestion for this problem, and both Sgt.

Rod Derouin of the Lake Cowichan R.C.M.P., who requested the bylaw from Council, and Mayor Don Gordon, say they would support this. “The bylaw, which has been registered but not yet adopted, forbids the operation of terrain vehicles within the village limits on public property. It also prohibits their use on private property without consent of the owner.

“A number of parents with children who own dirt bikes have strong feelings that a lot of money went into these bikes and now they cannot be used. They believe that the trouble makers are in the minority and the responsible riders should not be restricted. They believe that the bike riders have rights just as those bothered by noise from their use.”

And finally, “Pets galore” was another headline in the same paper. “From a St. Bernard (with neck flask) to a ‘Cockapoo’ (a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle) pets and their owners turned out Saturday for the first ever Pet Show held in Lake Cowichan. “The doors of the Firemen’s Hall opened at 2 p.m. and dogs, cats, and a rabbit arrived.

Parents, friends, and those who came to watch swelled the hall to near capacity. “The dogs, numbering close to a dozen entrants, settled placidly and seemed to enjoy being on view after their first wariness that the hall contained many strange animals. The cats too were well mannered.”