Gord Portman walks down the gravel path in Penticton’s Marina Way Beach Park towards the waterfront. It’s a hot, muggy day, and people dot the adjacent beach despite the wildfire smoke that has rolled in.
“When I was homeless for 17 years, this was one of my favourite spots,” says Gord, pointing to a large, flat rock at the water’s edge. “I slept on this rock for three years. I used to come here to mourn loved ones I had lost to drugs, and to hide from my community and family.”
An emotional pitch
It was just over a year ago in June 2022 when Gord made an emotional pitch to City of Penticton council to build a bench to commemorate those who died from overdoses – the unregulated drug poisoning emergency. At that time, the peer volunteer and outreach worker had been in recovery for two years after having saved three people from a house fire, an event that changed his life.
Three weeks after he pitched the idea, not only had council approved the bench, Gord presented an $8,300 cheque to then-Mayor John Vassilaki – funds he had raised on his own from the community. The City covered the balance of the cost of the bench.
When he made his pitch, he had hoped the City would install a bench close to his favourite rock. “I thought this would be the perfect spot. But the City said, ‘We have an even better place in mind for the bench.’ Then they showed me the spot right on Marina Way road, and I said this is way better.”
Collaborating to create a meaningful space
City of Penticton Parks planning and capital projects coordinator Ysabel Contreras has been working with Gord on the bench project for over a year. The planner, who has a background and passion for urban design and landscape architecture, collaborated with Gord on the design.
“From the get go, we knew this wasn’t going to be a standard city bench,” explains Ysabel. “We wanted to create a meaningful space intended for more than one person. It will not only function as a bench, but as an art feature similar to those in front of Okanagan Lake on Lakeshore Drive.”
The installation features a bench with an interlocking design that represents the woven fabric of a community. An empty space in the middle, and separate seating, symbolize the isolation and loneliness of those struggling with addiction.
A plaque to be installed on the site calls on people to remember those who have been lost, to reflect on the impact overdoses have had on the community, and to support one another in building a stronger community.
“Gord and his experiences opened me up to the different challenges we don’t necessarily see at face value,” says Ysabel. “It gave me another perspective. To see someone as strong, high-spirited and positive as Gord shows you never really know what someone is going or has gone through.”
A dream realized
On Aug. 31, 2023 at 9 a.m., Gord’s dream of a memorial bench will come true when it’s unveiled in a ceremony marking International Overdose Awareness Day. Gord is looking forward to welcoming family and friends from all over, including those who have lost loved ones.
“When I started this project, I had lost 104 friends to overdose,” says Gord. “One year later, I’ve lost 127 friends.” His voice hitches as he continues. “I lost my best friend Brad. We grew up together. He was number one on a waitlist to get into a treatment centre. He was eight months into recovery, and relapsed in a Walmart bathroom and died. His wife and child will be at the unveiling.
“Finally it’s all coming together. I’m pretty proud of myself.”
International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) events
On Aug. 31, we invite you to join an IOAD event in your community to learn, connect and support those who have been affected by the unregulated drug poisoning emergency. Depending on which event you attend, you can take part in vigils and prayers, healing circles, film screenings, naloxone training, music, food and more.
We will add new events as they become available.
Penticton | Overdose Awareness Bench unveiling ceremony at Marina Beach Park at 9 a.m., Gyro Park activities 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | View poster | Read the story
Kamloops | Movie screening Kimmapiiyipitssini: the Meaning of Empathy | View poster | Get free tickets
Vernon | Talking Circle at Cenotaph Park at 4 p.m., movie screening at 5 p.m. | View poster
Williams Lake | Boitanio Park on Secwepemc Territory, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | View poster
Castlegar, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nelson, Oliver and Vernon | Various events organized by Moms Stop the Harm
Interior Health will also mark IOAD with purple lighting on the exteriors of Royal Inland Hospital, Kelowna General, Penticton Regional Hospital and South Okanagan General Hospital.
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