In February, a group of SSSC members visited the Fraser River Discovery Centre along the waterfront in New Westminster. The idea behind this event was to visit a newer exhibition that we suspected few of us had seen. The Centre provides educational fare for people of all ages, and I think we all found it quite interesting.

On arrival in New Westminster, new construction was rampant throughout the area. Our familiar old parking places had disappeared, but we managed to find new ones. Although the FRDS permits a limited number of people during COVID, we had the discovery centre to ourselves – a definite advantage for museum visits during this pandemic.

The Fraser River Discovery Centre is witness to the cultural, economic and environmental life of the river. We learned that the Fraser River, the tenth largest river in Canada, requires different and frequent dredging methods to keep it passable. Another display simulated how to load ships by allowing visitors to balance blocks (in lieu of actual ship containers) onto a weight balance to gauge the tipping point – a fun, hands-on activity for the young at heart!

Unfortunately some missed the spectacle of John trying to disentangle himself from a fishing net in the Centre. Another member explained the debacle during our lunch that followed at the Old Spaghetti Factory. John had worn his golf shoes which have cleats, perfect for hooking the net that was hanging from a boat onto the back and front of his shoes. He almost had to call for extrication help. With a last desperate attempt, he managed to free himself to his great relief. It appears the oft-cited fish story of “the big one that got away” did actually get away this time.