The bright red canoe that has been a fixture in front of the local eatery for many years was stolen last week.
The Sandbar Cafe in Qualicum Bay has long been a scenic stopping point for tourists and locals. When owner Helen Hallett learned of the theft she couldn’t believe it.
“It has been there forever … years and years. Hundreds of tourists have had their picture taken with it,” she said.
Hallett is hoping someone in the community will spot it so she can get it back.
The canoe was being used as a bike rack but sometime overnight on May 1 the vessel vanished.
Hallett said she even had an old bike parked on the canoe but whoever took it left the bike.
The restaurateur made a police report and she said the landlord of the building, Robert Saunders, has also talked to authorities about a possible suspect.
Hallett said about a month ago, a man approached Saunders to see if he would sell him the canoe but he informed the person it wasn’t for sale. According to Hallett the person was interested in the canoe because it is light weight and would be easy to carry through the forest to get to a lake.
Hallett is hoping someone will recognize the red Sportspal model that has two Indian heads at either end.
“Thousands of people have seen the canoe. It may show up somewhere.”
Anyone who has any information can call Hallett at the Sandbar Cafe at 778-424-4478.