This year’s Citizen of the Year takes a much different approach than last year’s regarding their outgoing presence in the community. But as 2022 honouree Basia Lieske (who you will rarely not find present at a Bowen event) has said, it was this year’s winner Rondy Dike who, while more reserved in nature, has helped her and so many others on Bowen thrive and develop since he arrived on the island.
Rondy, along with his family including wife Dorothy and daughter Oydis, have owned the USSC Marina since coming to Bowen in 1985. “It was nice to be able to find a small community that needed a marina,” says Dike. Originally an architectural engineer who worked around the world, Dike had been in the apartment business in Seattle prior to heading north. He came with his family by boat, looking for a transition into the marina industry.
On Bowen he found what he was looking for, a small marina with a few dozen slips that had significant potential for development. With a grand vision, some help from the federal government, and also some disagreement on the necessary dredging, the marina blossomed into the scenic setting it is today.
The space, which includes the many boat slips, the lawn, and stops such as Doc Morgan’s, the Chandlery, and Company Store, serves as a location for many community events, as well as a home for marine travellers and liveaboards.
“The lawn is such an integral part of everything around here,” says Rondy, adding that the introduction of the boardwalk through a partnership with the Greater Vancouver Regional District (now Metro Vancouver) further elevated people’s use of the marina.
Dike behind many popular Bowen traditions
While the marina is Dike’s defining legacy on the island, his involvement in the community runs deep. Rondy has served on several municipal committees and boards, and influenced the look of Snug Cove as it developed beyond the relatively sparse setting of the mid-1980s. Through the many shops scattered about the marina Dike has also been one of the largest employers of both kids and adults on the island, with an annual staff of dozens across the different locations. And while he may not talk about it himself, his daughter Oydis points out that Rondy has often gone above and beyond to help his employees out, including covering the costs for schools, weddings, and other pursuits over time.
“The employees are the ones who do everything here… I’m more retired now, so it’s up to them and they are doing a good job as you can see,” he says.
Light Up The Cove is another of Rondy’s favourite events to get behind, with plenty of it taking place at the marina including the Santa Parade. This is one event where he’s more on display; a common fixture on the patio at his home above the Company Store where he sets off his cannon each year. “A friend of mine when I got the place, he decided that I really needed a cannon here… It’s fun to have,” he explains of its origin.
Rondy found out about Citizen of the Year honours when he was recently summoned to a meeting with Murray Atherton, member of the selection committee. “It’s an honour. I get to wave at people from the car instead of waving at people going by,” he points out regarding this year’s Bowfest Parade.
That ride will be at the front of the parade, a fitting moment for the island’s premier festival which he once ran. He’ll be joined by Linus, this year’s Dog of the Year, which will paint another fitting image as Dike was behind the creation of Dog Days of Summer, originally started as a charity for B.C. Guide Dogs. The festival will make its long-awaited return this year, naturally, on the marina lawn.
Rondy is sure to add all his accomplishments have come with his wife by his side. “Rondy wouldn’t be Rondy without Dorothy, they are the match paired together,” adds Oydis.
