Published in the Apr. 24 issue of the Interlake Enterprise, by Teresa Carey…
King Buck
A social will be held this Friday, Apr. 26, at the Poplarfield Community Hall to raise funds to restore one of the Interlake’s most recognized monuments, the King Buck statue, which stands at the corner of Hwys. 17 and 68.
“The statue is starting to deteriorate. The paint has peeled off and it’s got to be refurbished–it’s valuable. It’s a very big tourist draw,” said president of the Poplarfield Community Hall, David Wallach.
About six years ago an attempt to restore the statue was made by a team who got together to sand and paint it at that time.
“We made a mistake,” said past president, Rozanne Nevakshonoff. “We did all the prep work and had someone paint it, but we used the wrong sand paper.”
As a result of using a too-fine grade of sand paper, the paint failed to adhere well. This time, however, the volunteers did more research, even contacting a fibreglass statue maker in the US for advice. Hall members are confident that this time round the job will be done right.
“It turns out, the best paint is an industrial style enamel paint,” said Wallach who thought the peeling might have been caused by using the incorrect type of paint as well.
Quotations for the new paint job have come at between $5,000 and $20,000. Some money has been banked over the years to meet a part of the cost. If there is a good turnout at the social, Wallach hopes that work on the statue can begin this summer.
King Buck was erected in the late 1980s at a cost $20,000. It is situated on an approximately 200 ft. x 300 ft. lot, originally donated by the Troschuk family of Poplarfield. The community hall has since taken ownership of the land and, along with it, responsibility for the upkeep of the statue and the on-site park that has been developed over time.
Tickets for the licensed social will be available at the door. Admission is $15.00. A “Music Man,” a high school student from Teulon who has just started up his music business, has been hired to provide entertainment.
Wallach is hoping that at least 300 people will show up and is expecting a younger crowd. He said the social has been advertised by posters put up in the region and on Facebook.
“The social network stretches out across the Interlake,” said Wallach. “We’re relying on outside people.”
