On January 30, the Bulkley Valley Cross Country Ski Club will gather at the Buchfink Lodge at the B.V. Nordic Centre to celebrate the lives and ideals of the Buchfink family.
Club member Tenley Dahlie knew the Buchfink family, who she said exemplified what the club is all about. She said the annual lodge day is a way to celebrate a love of winter sport in a freindly, family atmosphere, as well as promoting volunteerism at the club.
The Buchfinks were all involved in the cross country club, and were flying to a mountain cabin in 1994 when their helicopter crashed, killing parents Gary and Linda, as well as children Brody and Molly. The lodge at the Nordic Centre was named for the family, and club members have been remembering the family on the last Sunday in January every year since the accident. What was once a memorial event, however, has grown into a celebration of the lives of the family, and of the ideals they practised. Both children raced, and both parents volunteered with the club, helping out with races, and pitching in to start construction of the lodge that bears their name. That spirit of volunteerism has carried on to the current club, with even new members pitching in however they can.
“The whole lodge was built entirely by volunteer labour over a period of time,” said Dahlie. “The entire Nordic Centre was built with donated money and collective effort.”
The Buchfink Lodge Day will happen next Sunday afternoon, following the Bulkley Valley Open race. The afternoon’s events will focus on fun and social activities, including a ‘spot ski’ and refreshments.
“We want to celebrate what we have, and say, ‘wow, look what we have here,’” said Dahlie.