A new form of entertainment is coming to Central Alberta that will bring visitors back to the roots of Canadian industry.
Mid-September - The Wood Shed is tentatively scheduled to open up axe throwing in the Town of Sylvan Lake – where guests get the opportunity to learn how to throw axes at targets.
Owner Keri Pratt is ecstatic to bring this form of entertainment to Sylvan Lake, after trying it out for herself.
“We are talking about the most Canadian of pass times and a farm favourite,” she said “People love lumberjack competitions and axe throwing is finally hitting the main stream. “Its a fun experience combining the thrill of target shooting with the competitiveness of any team sport.”
According to Pratt, axe throwing is perfect for anyone over the age of 18 – and is a great team building opportunity.
“For someone who has never thrown an axe before will be able to throw an axe and hit a target within the first 15 minutes,” she said, adding “if I can throw an axe, then anyone can do it.
“We had a family reunion this weekend and one of my great uncles in his 80s was throwing an axe and hitting the target.”
Pratt decided that axe throwing would be great for Central Albertans, after her husband Trevor Pratt worked in the forestry industry for many years and also competed in lumberjack games. As Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce, she also noticed the opportunity for this when the Town of Sylvan Lake released its retail analysis.
“The retail analysis that the Town did showed a gap in entertainment for Sylvan Lake,” she said. “I wanted to do something that people of all skill levels could do and I heard about axe throwing.”
She added that it made sense in Sylvan Lake to open The Wood Shed because the Town is a “young, vibrant community with people that are adventurous and want to try new things.
When it opens, The Wood shed will cost $20 for walk-ins and $30 per person for group packages, which Pratt said axe throwing is ideally suited for.
“Its an evening for people to get together when they don’t want to go to the bar scene,” she said.
“It works great for stags and bachelorettes. It works great for team building. It is a chance to go out with your buddies.”
If you would like more information on The Wood Shed, you can visit their website at woodshedaxe.ca.
Pratt added that “its out of the box, stress relieving and it provides a tremendous feeling of satisfaction.”
reporter@sylvanlakenews.com