1997 Canadian Jamboree in Thunder Bay
Peter K. Waycik (PKWAYCIK@CS-ACAD-LAN.LAKEHEADU.CA)
Tue, 5 Apr 1994 01:26:40 EDT
To Norman and all other interested individuals:
You are right! The next CJ will be in Thunder Bay. The planning is
just getting underway now (since there was a jamboree just this past
summer).
The site that has been chosen is within the city limits.
Specifically, Ontario Ministry of Health property (around the
Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital) and adjacent city property (around
Boulevard Lake) will be used to house the 10 to 15 odd thousand
Scouts, Venturers, Rovers and Leaders. As far as I know, this will be
the first CJ held in an urban environment (Bob, how about those
Ottawa Jams?). In fact there will be streets full of houses within
view of parts of the Jamboree site.
The OMH/city property was chosen over a site outside of the city
(which I find much more aesthetically pleasing) near the National Ski
Jumping Training Centre (Big Thunder). The OMH/city property though
has its advantages. It is an easy site to service, being so close to
city businesses. Transportation was figured to be cheaper than the
Big Thunder site.
You also ask what the site is like. The area around Boulevard Lake is
what I know. It is a typical park setting (ie. about equivalent open
mowed fields and forested areas. There is a river (about 20 to 30
metres in width) which runs through the area and into Boulevard Lake.
Boulevard Lake is itself a people-made lake. It is dammed just before
the water reaches Lake Superior. The Boulevard Lake area is used by
mostly local people for walking, jogging and swimming (when the fecal
count is down). The forest in the area is typical of the southern
boreal forest -- white birch, black and white spruce, aspen, balsam
poplar, and balsam fir. Undergrowth is usually mountain maple (Acer
spicatum), alder, or willow. The forest floor ranges from sphagnum
and labrador tea to dryer species like grasses, false honeysuckle.
You can walk from the Jamboree site along the river (the name of
which escapes me right now), through Centennial Park, into the
Cascades Conservation Area and then into wilderness, only having to
cross two roads (you have to walk underneath the trans-Canada).
On a larger scale, Thunder Bay is situated at the western end of Lake
Superior. There is a chain of Mountains (read:hill for those of you in
the west) called the Nor'westers which add a unique aesthetic
experience to the area. There is an Indian Reserve (Fort
William Band) adjacent to the city which comprises among other
things, one of the best looking mountains in the area (Mount McKay).
It is a great place to go to get a look at the entire city. If you
look out into Lake Superior from the City, you will see a giant lying
down. This geologic feature has the name "The Sleeping Giant" and has
been an important symbol of Thunder Bay for a long time. Other
interesting aspects of Thunder Bay include: three paper mills, a
large forest industry, a grain handling industry, "Old Fort William",
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, Amethysts, Lakehead University (note
the plug), great sailing, fantastic canoeing, wonderful rock
climbing, wilderness within a five minute drive of the city....need I
say more.
Yours in Scouting,
/\ PETER K. WAYCIK
/ \
{ } 11TH FORT WILLIAM ROVER CREW...MATE
__ { } __ 2ND PORT ARTHUR (TRINITY) TROOP SCOUTER
/ R \\ // S \
| ---- \\// ---- | THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO, CANADA
V ==== V
/ /\ \
|/< >\| Challenge, serve, be prepared, do your best,
\/ and always, always, share.
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
