The City of Prince Rupert is acknowledging the many contributions the late Odd Eidsvik made to the community by naming a park in his honour.
Prince Rupert city council voted unanimously in favour of designating a section of woodlands behind the former Westview School after Odd at its June 27 meeting, a little over a year since the passing of Odd.
“Mr. Odd Eidsvik donated his time and efforts tirelessly to the community and in a way of honouring his memory due to his passing, it was bequest of members of council that … this parkland be dedicated to him,” said Rory Mandryk, the city’s corporate administrator.
Nancy Eidsvik, Odd’s wife and long-time business partner, said she was overwhelmed by the declaration.
“I know that Odd wouldn’t have expected to be honoured like this; he would appreciate this very much,” she said.
The inauguration of Odd Eidsvik Park was a joint effort of the City of Prince Rupert and Rotary Club of Prince Rupert, two organizations of many that Odd was associated with. Odd had a seat on Prince Rupert city council for two terms in the ‘80s and was an active member of the Rotary Club for more than 35 years.
Odd was a proud Rotarian who received the organization’s Paul Harris Fellow recognition a number of times, along with the Distinguished Service Award from Rotary District 5040. A charter member of the Hecate Strait Rotary Club, Odd joined the Prince Rupert Rotary Club when the two groups combined.
Other contributions Odd made to Prince Rupert include serving as a board member for the Prince Rupert Airport Society and sitting on the Prince Rupert Port Authority board of directors.
Odd also added to the business community, opening the successful practice Eidsvik and Associates in Prince Rupert, and later a second location in Richmond.
During his more than 50 years as a chartered accountant, Odd received a Fellow Chartered Accountant designation, was a board member of the B.C. Institute of Chartered Accountants, and was selected as a finalist for the Province of B.C. and B.C. Chamber of Commerce’s Better Business Award for Community Service.
While Nancy wishes her late-husband was alive to witness the commemoration, she said she knows he would be pleased with the location of Odd Eidsvik Park.
The area overlooking Prince Rupert’s harbour is a fitting dedication, said Nancy, as Odd worked as a commercial fisherman for many years before getting into accounting and never lost his love for the ocean. Nancy also noted that while Odd was sitting on the Port Authority board of directors, Odd and other members oversaw the development of Fairview Terminal, also within view from the area.
“The park that was selected looks over all of that, so it’s an amazing tribute,” said Nancy.
At this time the City of Prince Rupert isn’t making any financial commitments for the park, but Mayor Lee Brain said the Prince Rupert Rotary Club is raising money through its Odd Eidsvik Memorial Fund for a potential marker for the park.