South Shore Breaker

Right to the point

- PAUL PICKREM

Axe throwing is trending in Greenwood

SALTWIRE NETWORK

While the popularity of traditiona­l pastimes such as bowling and darts may be waning, axe throwing seems to be trending.

Axe throwing competitio­ns that draw huge crowds and even local bars and pubs that give the opportunit­y to enjoy a beer and throw an axe at a target are springing up across the country.

Althea Gillespie is the owner of Lumber Yard Axe Throwing in Greenwood where individual­s, couples and small and large groups can enjoy axe throwing as well as local craft beer, wine and cider.

She and her husband opened the business almost a year ago and recently added an outside deck. Patrons can use the four axe throwing lanes and enjoy playing cards and tabletop hockey.

“You can just throw to throw. Or you can throw competitiv­ely. Our targets are all set up for scoring,” Gillespie said during a recent interview. “A lot of people compare it to darts. I think of it as darts on steroids.”

Lumber Yard Axe Throwing is becoming a popular venue for birthday parties, date nights for couples, bacheloret­te/bachelor parties, staff parties. There is also room for walk-ins.

“We have a lot of people who have not thrown before. That’s great,” Gillespie said.

“I think that’s the best part of it. When someone has not thrown before. This is their first experience, and they light up when they do it.”

Leanne and Morley Deters, of Greenwood, have enjoyed axe throwing at the Lumber Yard with visiting family members. However, they also enjoy the laid-back atmosphere as a place to play a game of crib and tabletop hockey and have a conversati­on while watching others axe throwing.

“It’s fun trying to figure out that perfect throw. It’s a new experience that you don’t do every day. It doesn’t matter if you are athletic. Anybody can do it,” Leanne said.

“There is something satisfying when you are throwing an axe, and you nail it,” she said.

“The big buff guy may not be the one that is going to throw the axe the best. It can be this little tiny human being, and she is the one that sticks it.”

Lumber Yard Axe Throwing is located at 1109 Argus Dr. in Greenwood. It is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5 until 10 p.m. Friday from 5 pm to 11 p.m. and Saturday from 2 p.m. until midnight. Hours of operation are subject to change. Please call to confirm.

All patrons must be 19 years of age or older.

More informatio­n is available at WWW.LUMBERYARD­AXE.CA or 902 804 6601.

 ??  ?? Althea Gillespie is the owner of Lumber Yard Axe Throwing in Greenwood, where patrons can enjoy axe throwing and local craft beer, wine and cider. PAUL PICKREM
Althea Gillespie is the owner of Lumber Yard Axe Throwing in Greenwood, where patrons can enjoy axe throwing and local craft beer, wine and cider. PAUL PICKREM
 ??  ?? Lonnie Lovas is shown sharpening her skills at Lumber Yard Axe Throwing while visiting her family in Greenwood from B.C. CONTRIBUTE­D
Lonnie Lovas is shown sharpening her skills at Lumber Yard Axe Throwing while visiting her family in Greenwood from B.C. CONTRIBUTE­D

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