As of today, Tues., May 31, Oceanside Physiotherapy and Work Conditioning Centre has a new owner.
Jason Martin, a longtime employee of Diarmid “Scotty” McVicar, has taken on the business, located on Allsbrook Road near Parksville.
After 42 years — 26 of those on Vancouver Island — McVicar is cutting back and will get into a form of retirement.
It’s only a form of retirement, as he says he’ll stick around for consultations — keeping his finger in a field he began four decades ago in Winnipeg.
McVicar came to the Island in 1984, opening Qualicum Physiotherapy in December of that year. By 1988, he was opening a location in Parksville at a local medical centre. He stayed there after a full move until 1997. In that year, he moved to Oceanside Physiotherapy’s current location.
“It’s Scotty’s playhouse,” he said, laughing. “That’s what it has been.”
Trained in exercise therapy, McVicar said this sort of treatment has made a comeback in recent years — and over his career, he said he has seen a lot of changes — from the use of devices and electronics, to traditional, manual therapy.
Since he came to the Island, McVicar said he has noticed a trend in active seniors — something he thinks must lead the country.
“There is a large number of senior athletes here, in organizations like (the Parksville Golden Oldies Sports Association, PGOSA),” he said. “This has to be a largest seniors sports organization in Canada.”
As a result, he works often with older people who want to remain active — whether that be in sports or to simply get into their gardens.
McVicar also specializes in helping people with workplace injuries or those who have suffered in a car accident.
He expanded the business not that long ago to make room for a gym and more open work space. There is a good, dedicated staff at Oceanside Physiotherapy, which will maintain a top standard under new owner Martin.
As for McVicar, who has spent time as a physiotherapist on the bench of the former Winnipeg Jets hockey team and as a trainer at the 1976 Olympics and at two Commonwealth Games (among other accomplishments during his career), he plans on taking care of his home and garden. Oh, and he has tickets to Game 5 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Certainly, that’s as good a reason to retire as any.