Nickel Days 2018 was officially declared open June 20 at the President’s Reception at the Thompson Regional Community Centre where Ted Kirkey and Danny Douglas were announced as this year’s Honorary Driller and Honorary King Miner.
Kirkey started at the T-3 mine in 1975 and worked there until 1978, then quit before returning in 1981 and working until his retirement in 2010. Douglas started with Inco in 1980 and also worked elsewhere for a while before returning and working until his retirement in 2013. He started working in the smelter and refinery before transferring underground where he worked on the development of a currently inactive Thompson mine.
“They drove ramps down Birchtree,” said United Steelworkers Local 6166 president Warren Luky. “Danny and Ted worked together. I’m proud to present Danny and Ted who are true northern miners.”
Luky also looked ahead to this year’s National King Miner contest, which kicks off on Saturday.
“The competitors are warming up for what’s sure to be a great competition,” he said. “I don’t think there’s any other event in the country that showcases mining like the King Miner contest so I think that’s something we need to be proud of and recognize. Vale’s donated a lot of time a lot of equipment, a lot of time and a lot of material to make this event happen and I’d like to thank them on behalf of United Steelworkers.”
Also speaking at the reception was former board member Mayor Dennis Fenske, who noted that a lot of people behind the scenes of Nickel Days were also volunteers when the 2018 Manitoba Games were held in Thompson this past March. “A lot of the red shirts tonight had blue shirts on.”
Nickel Days president Wendell Fitzpatrick also noted that this year’s fair would feature a break from tradition.
“We’ve renamed Nickel Days gates one and two to the Dallas Bray gates one and two,” said Fitzpatrick. “Dallas was a board member for many, many years with Nickel Days and he always looked after gates and he passed away this last year so we thought it would be appropriate to change the name to the Dallas Bray gates.”
The president also took time to extend good wishes to a current board member, Thompson Fire & Emergency Services Chief John Maskerine, who couldn’t attend due to health issues.
“He’s on the mend, he’ll be fine and I’m sure he’ll be with us again next year,” said Fitzpatrick.
His well-wishes were echoed by Fenske on behalf of the City of Thompson.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with John as well as he recovers from his health issues,” said the mayor.
