The Williams Lake Stampede Association honoured one of its former directors — the late Jim Byer — by dedicating a new log structure by the concession stand at the Stampede Grounds to his name on Friday morning, the second day of the rodeo.
Jim died on April 26, 2016, at the age of 72.
“The Stampede has been a great family,” Jim’s wife Jean said after she cut the ribbon. “We began volunteering here after our daughter was a Stampede Princess in 1996.”
Jim was a director on the Stampede Association for 12 years, serving in various positions.
In 2010, he and Jean were named lifetime members of the Stampede.
“He was an incredible guy,” said Stampede Association director Lorne Doerkson before the ribbon cutting. “We want to dedicate this building in his name. His family is here all around us. We miss him a lot. He was an unbelievable guy.”
Joining Jean at the dedication were her son Todd Byer and daughters Lorina Sundt and Leanne Manuel.
The structure was built by Dürfeld Log and Timber under the direction of owner Ric Dürfeld, in co-operation with designer Phil Harrison and Tim Lloyd Construction.
Stampede president Tim Rolph applied the plaque on one of the logs that reads “Dedicated to the memory of Jim Byer, director and friend of the Williams Lake Stampede Association.”
