[BCMA] Building at boat at the Fraser River Discovery Centre

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

Media Release

For Immediate Release

March 11, 2010

 

Build, build, build a boat.

 

New Westminster, BC - The Fraser River Discovery Centre is home to a unique
community project with its new exhibit Build-a-Boat: Wooden Boat Building on
the Fraser, as visitors and volunteers work together to build an 18 foot
Fraser River skiff. 

 

Since boat builders from the Oarlock and Sail Wooden Boat Club set up shop
at the Centre last month, every Saturday morning the galleries have been
filled with the sounds of sawing and the smell of sawdust as the boat begins
to take shape. The boat is of the same type used for fishing along in the
Fraser River estuary at the turn of the last century. Robert Buller, lead
boat builder explains, "we are building this historical skiff using modern
techniques". Buller leads a team of experienced builders to engage visitors
to help. To date, volunteers have built the strong back and the frame of the
boat. This weekend, workers will begin work on the skiff itself. Once the
boat is complete, it will remain on display in the Discovery Centre.

 

Kathleen Bertrand, Exhibit Coordinator, says, "Build-a-Boat has generated a
lot of excitement. This is exactly the type of exhibit the Discovery Centre
is about. Visitors really have a chance to learn by doing." Visitors don't
have to have much experience either. Bertrand adds, "This project is about
learning new skills. I don't have much woodworking experience but Robert is
a fantastic teacher. He's been putting me to work as much as he can and I've
been learning so much."

 

Build-a-Boat: Wooden Boat Building on the Fraser is sponsored by Douglas
College, the City of New Westminster and RBC. Construction of the boat will
continue into the spring and the exhibit will be open until September 2010.
Boat building happens every Saturday morning and is ideally suited for
visitors ages 8 and up. Visitors of all ages are invited to come participate
or just watch.

 

The Fraser River Discovery Centre is an interpretive centre connecting
communities in discovery and celebration of the living, working Fraser
River. It is located at 788 Quayside Drive, New Westminster. The Discovery
Centre is open Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm. Admission rates apply for
the exhibit galleries.

 

-30-

 

Photo Information:

Volunteers and visitors work together to build the boat frame. 

 

For more information or pictures please contact:

 

 -- 

Kathleen Bertrand | Exhibit and Communication Coordinator

Fraser River Discovery Centre

788 Quayside Drive 

New Westminster, BC V3M 6Z6 Canada

T 604.521.8401 ext. 104  |*F 604.521.9401

www.fraserriverdiscovery.org

 

 

To restore the river to health, we first have to comprehend it. - Alan
Haig-Brown The Fraser River

 

* Do you need to print this email? Please consider the environmental impact
before printing.

 

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