Commemorative 'Spar Tree' with High Rigger Falls

Nov 18, 2011

Commemorative 'Spar Tree' with High Rigger Falls

For Immediate Release

November 17, 2011- Last night the 'Spar Tree and High Rigger' public art piece fell over. The piece was located at the corner of Albert Street and Victoria Crescent. Damage to the 75 foot piece is beyond repair so the piece is being removed. A nearby tree and light standard both sustained minimal damage from the incident; no other damage to nearby properties was sustained. At this time a combination of winter conditions and the age of the wooden pole appear to be the cause.

"As sorry as we are to hear that this commemorative piece of history came down, we are very glad nobody was injured and no serious damage occurred to neighbouring buildings. We will look at replacing it with an equally significant commemorative piece that honours one of our community's cornerstone industries," states Mayor John Ruttan.

The 'Spar Tree and High Rigger' was created to commemorate the early days of the City of Nanaimo. In the early 1900's the high rigger was the king of the woods. He would climb the big trees taking off the limbs then topping the spar before climbing down. He was the boss of the rigging crew and responsible for safety. The raising of the commemorative piece took place on July 1^st, 1985.

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