Eldridge Road
This single lane elevated expressway that we travel every two weeks to the Hole in the Wall was the former Great Northern railway track site. A long railway trestle was situated from the dip just before to the Hole in the Wall entrance gate to east of McKay Creek. This railway line was abandoned in 1919.
The old railway track bed (now Eldridge Road)
The G.G.N.R. track bed (now Eldridge Road) with the Hole in the Wall "down the road"
The Entrance Gate
To the Hole in the Wall
The Former McIntosh Property
At the Former Railway Trackbed on the Way into the Hole in the Wall
Property size
The Hole in the Wall property comprises 71.6 acres in 5 titles. The property consists of three titles (approximately 8 acres) on the flat land where our buildings are located with the balance (approximately 64 acres) in two titles on the mountains both west and north of our lodge.
Wheel chair ramp
In the early 1990’s several of our members were wheel chair bound. Egidio Zanardo and his crew constructed the wheel chair ramp leading up to the south side access door.
Hole in the Wall Sign
In 1976 Dr. Harry Cannon (member) designed, carved and presented this sign that hangs above our main entrance door.
Ref: Hole in the Wall sign at main entrance taken during 2014 repaint
Dr. Harry Cannon’s donation to the Hole in the Wall at lodge entrance
Time Capsule
In 1997 a committee consisting of Jack Peers and Norm Williams constructed a time capsule.
It is located at the front of our lodge to the right of the sliding glass door. The material contents in this capsule are a secret so use your imagination. It is to be opened in 2047 – I am very sure that none of us older members will be present for the official opening of our time capsule.
Time capsule plaque
Flag pole
In 1994 a flag pole that was donated and constructed by members of the former Canadian Army base that was located in Sardis. Colonel Yves Looper, on behalf of the base, officiated at the unveiling. The flagpole is situated midway between our lodge and the caretaker house.
Thanks for the flagpole
Flagpole donated & erected CFB Sardis
Plaque on the flagpole
Smokers Room
In the mid 1990’s smoking at the dinner tables became a major “club’ issue. After much discussion (sometimes heated) our club directors issued a “no smoking in the building” rule and smoking was relegated to outside the main clubhouse. The main entrance area became the inclement weather smokers “den.” Ken Shore, a long time member and non smoker is remembered by his family with their donation of the “smoker’s bench”
Smokers room
Ken Shore’s donation to the Hole in the Wall
Ken Shore’s memorial bench in the smokers room
Gravel Fill
Located on the south west side of the lodge was a deep former creek bed. Fill from the Whatcom Road extension from the freeway to McKee Road was delivered and spread by Jakes Construction of Chilliwack. This was provided at no cost to the Hole in the Wall. The parking lot and manicured lawn at the south side of the building is the result of this project.
Stainless steel BBQ
In 2004 Jake Wiebe of Vedder Transport with financial assistance from Murray Blackham and a few other members donated our present BBQ. John Wiebe (Jake’s brother) designed and built this 3.5 foot x 8 foot – 10 burner stainless steel propane BBQ which is capable of cooking 80 8 oz steaks at the same time.
Round Tables
The club had used 4′ x 8′ rectangular tables for their regular dinner meetings. Table discussions were always cumbersome. In 1998 Kevin Siggs donated twenty round tables that could accommodate eight people. Egidio Zanardo transported and set up the tables at the Hole in the Wall. The round tables were a very popular upgrade.
Ref: (l-r) B. Clements, J. Montie, C. Bergman, J. Froese, H. Nielsen & D. Grant at the round tables
The Bar
The existing bar was designed and constructed by John Tucker in 2003. John was a long time former shareholder who now resides in Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island. It was designed with the guidance of the bartenders of his era. Our current bartenders can attest to its functionality. Incidentally the bar was provided at no cost to our club. The front of the bar is finished in maple that originally came from one of the Hole in the Wall maple trees. Egidio Zanardo trucked the bar from John’s workshop to here then it was reconstructed.
John Tucker’s contribution to the Hole in the Wall
Granite bar top
In 2013 This massive approximately 2,500 lb granite counter top arrived in a container from China. The five crates were delivered to the Hole in the Wall and unloaded with a heavy duty fork lift by our caretaker. Apparently a crew of five installed the countertop. Nick Braber, our current second vice president, donated this magnificent granite bar top to our club.
Granite bar top donated by Nick Braber