For nearly 20 years it has been a holiday tradition for an impromptu Christmas tree lot to pop up beside Centennial Stadium at the University of Victoria. And this year, despite the loss of local tree farmer Mike Fleming, both his family and their team are carrying on with the partnership.

Having started back in 1999, the annual sale B次元官网网址� this year running until Dec. 22 B次元官网网址� is a major fundraiser for the schoolB次元官网网址檚 cross country program.

In 2001 the Vikes began purchasing their trees from FlemingB次元官网网址檚 company, Woodstock Evergreen Inc.

With a reputation for growing the best trees in Western Canada, Mike established the business in 1968 and opened the Saanichton Christmas Tree Farm with his sister Joan in 1981.

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B次元官网网址淢ike liked the idea of partnering with us because he enjoyed being around the student athletes and appreciated the fact all the funds from the sales were going back to the students,B次元官网网址� Brent Fougner recalls.

While harvesting Christmas trees in the Kootenays, Mike suffered a heart attack and passed away Oct. 27.

Fougner called the loss B次元官网网址渟hockingB次元官网网址� saying it was important the team kept the holiday tradition going despite MikeB次元官网网址檚 absence. He would often swing by the lot during the sale to check in with the team, offering advice on everything from tree maintenance to customer service.

B次元官网网址淗e was always smiling and with his grand beard you would think it was Santa driving the delivery truck,B次元官网网址� says Fougner, who regularly travelled to Shawnigan Lake to see where the trees were grown and out to MikeB次元官网网址檚 farm in Central Saanich.

B次元官网网址淚t was a great partnership and friendship that I had with him,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淗e is one person that you just always thought would be there.B次元官网网址�

Many thanks to the Fleming family and the Saanichton Christmas Tree Farm for continuing a time-honoured tradition started by the late Mike Fleming of donating a beautiful Christmas tree to .

B次元官网网址� BC Legislature (@BCLegislature)

Generosity was a big part of MikeB次元官网网址檚 business style and the former president of the B.C. Christmas Tree Council also donated the iconic trees that have lit up the B.C. legislature for the last 48 years.

B次元官网网址淗e certainly knew his trees and he was so passionate about what he did,B次元官网网址� Fougner says. B次元官网网址淗e just loved his job.B次元官网网址�

The Christmas Tree sale at Centennial Stadium is open daily from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and all proceeds support the Uvic Vikes menB次元官网网址檚 and womenB次元官网网址檚 cross country teams.

In the new year, Bartlett Tree Experts will be on hand donating tree chipping services from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Jan. 5 and 6.

For more information visit or email Fougner at bfougner@uvic.ca.

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