Fun at the Beach

Black and white photograph in the foreground of which is an unkempt scrub vegetated shoreline bordering a water body into which stretch the pilings of an abandoned wharf. Wooded islands and hills form the opposite shoreline.

Transfer Beach area of Ladysmith Harbour as an abandoned industrial site with remains of the Coal Wharf, circa 1940s.

For decades after the closure of the coal mines in 1931, the harbour area, where the huge coal wharves and bunkers had been abandoned, was an industrial wasteland. An unloved eyesore.

In 1967, this all changed. As a Canada Centenary Project, the cash-strapped town, through its innovative Mayor Kathleen Grouhel, arranged with Malaspina College (now part of Vancouver Island University) to landscape the former industrial area and transform it into a public park at a fraction of the normal cost, as a student project. This resulted in the beloved Transfer Beach Park we have today.

Black and white photograph of several rows of seated dignitaries watching celebrations which are out of the field of view.

Queen Elizabeth II with Mayor Kathleen Grouhel to her left at the official opening of Transfer Beach Park, Ladysmith. Prince Philip is seated at right, 1967.

The area was further enhanced with the addition of an outdoor amphitheatre as a Millennium Project in 2000, so concerts could take place with stunning views of Stuart Channel and the Gulf islands as the backdrop. Much of this was financed by local donations.

Aerial colour photograph of a circular cement and brick outdoor stage located on a shoreline. Two tall wooden poles stand off-centre on the seaward side of the stage. Landward, facing the stage is a semicircular sloped area sculpted into stepped grass covered benches.

Aerial View of the open-air amphitheatre at Transfer Beach Park, 2018.

The Amphitheatre is well-used by the community and is home to Concerts in the Park, held on Sunday evenings in July and August, organized by the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association and supported by local businesses. Admission is by donation, with proceeds going towards supporting programs geared towards enhancing the health and well-being of Ladysmith residents.

Colourful poster advertising The Original Reggae on the Island World Beat Festival to be held in Ladysmith July 24th/25th 1993.

Poster advertising the two-day ‘Reggae on the Island Festival’ at Transfer Beach Park, Ladysmith. 1993.

Transfer Beach Park with its Water Spray and children’s playgrounds hosts many events such as Logger Sports, Brits on the Beach, National Truth and Reconciliation Day and more. A popular festival is Ladysmith Days, celebrated with an exciting lineup of local musicians, singers and dancers.

Colour photograph of an approximately 30-member brass band in white uniforms playing on an open air stage, the backdrop to which is a view of sea and wooded islands under a virtually cloudless blue sky.

A naval band playing at the open-air amphitheatre, Transfer Beach Park.

No longer echoing to puffing steam engines, screeching whistles, rumbling rail cars, coal rattling down loading chutes to ships waiting below and no longer covered in thick black dust, the area now enjoys the laughter of children, the music of concerts and applause of the summer crowds.

Revitalization And So The Beat Goes On