Sitting empty and deserted on the west side of Howe Sound, Woodfibre is a mystery to the throngs of tourists who might question the building's significance as they enjoy the water-and-mountains-filled viewscape.
But for those who lived, worked and played at the Woodfibre townsite it represents so much more - a place to call home, a place to work and a place to grow up.
During the mill's halcyon days of the 1950s, Woodfibre employed as many as 750 workers and housed them and their families in what became a vibrant little town.
Two churches, a swimming pool, a bowling alley, a popular community centre, a movie theatre and a school made Woodfibre a real community and a true home to the workers and their families.
To commemorate the significance of the history-rich town, now-撸奶社区resident Francine Erickson is organizing a Woodfibre reunion to bring all those who cherished Woodfibre together on July 23 at the CN Roundhouse.
Erickson, who grew up in Woodfibre and worked there until a year before it closed, said the idea of a reunion stemmed from Woodfibrerites connecting through Facebook and other social media.
"Through Facebook a lot of us started to get in touch and we thought it would be a good idea to get together for one last reunion," she said.
"This will probably be the last reunion we have because the kids are getting older."
The Town of Woodfibre Facebook page has 223 members and several ex-residents have posted pictures and comments lamenting the loss of the townsite.
"I sure wish Woodfibre was still there. And I still lived there I loved that town," wrote Leah Conni-Jean Brown.
"Can't wait to see you guys, hopefully you can all make it," wrote Pauline Bois Ambrose.
Erickson said there are currently 100 people confirmed and several others who say they intend to come.
"People are coming from all over," she said. "There are people from Ottawa, Saskatchewan, the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, even Mexico.
"There are even some people hoping to come from England and further."
Despite its dramatic change over the last century, from a vibrant townsite to an abandoned mill, Erickson still has fond memories of her time spent growing up there.
"I lived there from zero to 18," she said. "There was a swimming pool with swim meets, there were tennis courts, there was a bowling alley, teen club and a big community centre where they had their big dances and they even brought in the Harlem Globetrotters at one point there and our basketball team played against them."
In 1973, Woodfibre phased out the housing and most employees moved to Squamish, Britannia Beach and elsewhere. When the mill closed its doors in 2006, several workers had to move to find work.
The reunion will begin at 4 p.m. and go well into the evening. Erickson is inviting everyone attending to bring old pictures as there will be a projector set up to view the old photos. Finger food will be provided. Please contact Erickson if you are interested in attending by phone at (604) 898-3799 or by email at [email protected].
