ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021 | SPORTS | A7
Sports are back (again)
T
he public health announcement that was heard around the world. That’s what many people are calling Dr. Bonnie Henry’s press conference last Tuesday, May 25, where she laid out B.C.’s reopening plan. OK, I may have made that up, and nobody is calling it that. Still, when the plan to loosen B.C.’s restrictions for sports, social gatherings, and more was rolled out, it felt that memorable and I had such a happy feeling wash over me. We’ve all come so accustomed to being disappointed with these public announcements that we either stopped tuning in altogether, or were prepared to feel disappointed, or cynical at the very least. But when she told us that adult team sports can resume immediately, that youth sports can go back to playing games provided there’s no travel, and up to 50 people can gather for outdoor organized gatherings and sporting events, it was as refreshing as it was thrilling. That’s not to mention the optimism that surrounds the further relaxing of rules expected June 15 and early July. Still, if the last 15 months have taught us anything, it’s that caveats must be made.
DILLON GIANCOLA I’m pretty sure I wrote a column similar in spirit last July when slow pitch season started, and we know all too well that things could once again take a step backwards. But regardless, we haven’t had this amount of good news in a very long time, and you can sense it. The community is happier, more optimistic, and more relaxed. I attended a motocross race last weekend for the first time since August 2019, and I was amazed by both how natural it felt, but also how happy everyone was. From parents, to riders, to track announcer John Lind, the energy was cranked high all afternoon as riders competed amongst each other in the FSJ Covid Cup. Kids can finally play scrimmages, even games, against each other. No more volleyball practices serving drills with the same three teammates in your cohort for an entire season. If that’s not freedom, I don’t know what is. Slow pitch season started this week, with the same fervour and excitement as last year’s shortened season.
DILLON GIANCOLA PHOTOS
Cruz Gordon plays catch with a teammate during a U11 North Peace Minor Baseball practice earlier in the season, when only practices are allowed. Teams are now allowed to play games against each other for the rest of the season, as long as there is no travel for games.
Heck, I even showed up to the tennis courts at 7:30 Saturday morning for a friendly match. That had absolutely nothing to do with the changes regarding restrictions, but I strongly doubt I would have had the energy to do that to myself just two weeks ago. I’m probably getting ahead of myself. We may still have a long way to go even if things don’t turn for the worse. But, regardless of how long it takes to get back to normal, whether masks
are optional by July or things are fully restored by September, we’ll get there eventually. And that’s something I haven’t been able to say with conviction for 12 months, and it feels awesome. So, enjoy the chance to play a ball game, or to go to your friend’s house for a BBQ. Maybe soon we’ll be able to catch up in the stands during a Northern Lights Raceway or Taylor Speedway race. Who really knows? I do know that I feel happier and
more optimistic, and most people I’ve encountered over the last week appear to as well. And yes, it’s great to be able to go to a friend’s house again or to dine indoors, but I’m attributing most of the joy to the changes made to sports. Especially in the summer time, sports are what matters, being able to get outdoors and enjoy playing your favourite games with others. sports@ahnfsj.ca
TAYLOR SPEEDWAY BOMBER INVITATIONAL Taylor Speedway held its season opener on time last weekend, May 28 and 29, thanks to the outdoor gathering restrictions loosening. The Speedway began wtih the Bomber Invitational, and was able to run all four classes across two nights of furious racing under the lights. Here are the top three finishers from each race:
Modifieds 1. Dean Bell. 2. Al Scarfo 3. Austin Duncan 4. Austin Kube
RESULTS
Mini Stock Adult 1. Richard Hildebrand 2. Clint Mason 3. Jamie Legal
May 28 Bombers 1. Chelsea Babcock 2. Devon Beebe 3. Jeremy LaFountain Mini Stock Adults 1. Richard Hildebrand 2. Clint Mason 3. Erin Hall Mini Stock Juniors 1. Eddie Scarfo 2. Delani Bulley 3. Cody Willis
May 29 Bombers 1. Devon Beebe 2. Chelsea Babcock 3. Brennan Gee
Mini Stock Juniors 1. Eddie Scarfo 2. Cody Willis 3. Rene Tubbs Modifieds 1. Dean Bell 2. Austin Duncan 3. Russell Duncan 4. Jesse Wassenaar
TAYLOR SPEEDWAY PHOTO
Dean Bell celebrates winning the IMCA Modified main event, alongside Oakley Mackenzie, for the second straight night at Taylor Speedway’s Bomber Invitational, May 29, 2021.
Boater safety on the Peace River A four-kilometre section of the Peace River is permanently closed to boaters during the construction of the Site C project. River users are advised to use extreme caution when on or near the river this summer due to strong undertows, especially in locations immediately upstream of the dam site. Portage program: To move boaters around the construction area, a portage program for non-motorized boats will operate between the Halfway River boat launch and the Peace Island Park boat launch from May 15 to September 15. Reservations are required seven days in advance of pickup. For more information visit sitecproject.com/boating or call 1 877 217 0777. DILLON GIANCOLA PHOTO
The second Mini Stock Jr. heat started up in earnest at Taylor Speedway, May 29, with a large eight-car field. The main events were a rocky and entertaining sight, with Eddie Scarfo winning both races.
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ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS
SITE C POWER STATION TAKES SHAPE
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021 | NEWS | A11
BC HYDRO PHOTO
Above: An overview of the Site C right bank structures, including the spillways, stilling basins, intakes, penstocks and the powerhouse.
BC HYDRO PHOTO
Above: Crews place roller-compacted concrete on the dam and core buttress. Below: Installation of reinforcing steel on the south face of the roller-compacted concrete dam and core surface.
BC HYDRO PHOTO
Above: The spillways, headworks and stilling basins Below: An aerial view of the Site C dam site area. Construction began in July 2015.
Site C oversight board named Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca The B.C. government has named 10 members of a new oversight board for the $16-billion Site C dam. The province said Friday the Project Assurance Board is to provide independent due diligence and oversight to ensure the project is “completed safely within the lowest cost and approved schedule.” An economic and geotechnical review of the dam, released earlier this year, included 17 recommendations to improve management and oversight of the project amid budget overruns and construction delays. “The majority of members are independent external advisors with expertise in capital project construction and management, delivery of major civil projects, commercial negotiations, construction-related claims settlement and other areas,” the Ministry of Energy said in a statement. “These changes will help bolster the collective skill set of the board and ensure it can provide independent advice to both government and the BC Hydro board of directors.” The 10 members are: -Mitchell Gropper, independent
chair -Fred Cummings, independent external advisor -Joseph Ehasz, independent external advisor -Amanda Farrell, independent external advisor -Daryl Fields, director, BC Hydro -Doug Foster, assistant deputy minister, Ministry of Finance -Les MacLaren, assistant deputy minister, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation -Cathy McLay, independent external advisor -Catherine Roome, director, BC Hydro -Lorne Sivertson, independent external advisor The province said the board will be supported by the dam’s independent oversight advisor, Ernst and Young. In February, Premier John Horgan said the province would finish building Site C following the economic and geotechnical reviews. The updated $16-billion cost of the dam includes a one-year delay that pushes the dam’s in-service date to 2025, which the province said was primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic and foundation enhancements needed for the dam’s spillway and powerhouse.
ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS
A12 | NEWS | THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021
PATCH WORK
Kin Park upgrades approved Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca The first phase of Kin Park upgrades was awarded May 25 to Knappett Industries. Construction under the $3.87-million tender includes an outdoor skating surface, pickleball courts, play structures, and a batting cage. Work also includes trail additions, storm system upgrades, trees with landscaping, and a paved parking lot. “This tender award provides a starting point for the long awaited upgrades to Kin Park which will dramatically increase the four season
recreational value of this park,” said CAO Milo MacDonald in a May 25 report to council. Work is being completed alongside a major sanitary sewer upgrade and realignment of 96 Street through Kin Park and Bert Ambrose, scheduled to be completed this year. The city budgeted $5 million for the first phase of work and has received $994,500 in provincial funding for the park’s redevelopment. The second phase of park upgrades, including a building structure with washrooms, storage and common areas, is scheduled be tendered later this year.
Pro-D workshops this month TOM SUMMER PHOTO
City crews were out laying down the hot tar down 100 Avenue on Monday. If you see a hazard on local roads, you can report them to the city via its website or its smartphone app.
Justice group seeks facilitators Tom Summer tsummer@ahnfsj.ca The North Peace Justice Society held its AGM last week, and is on the hunt for more volunteer facilitators. Executive Director Nicole Amstutz-Lisk also steeped down after a year in role, with Wendy Maldonado taking the reins. Maldonado says the society is need of new facilitators, with the goal of handling more files from the RCMP, as the Indigenous Policing Service has expressed interest in working with the society. “In order to do that, we need more facilitators to speed up the process. We don’t have many right now, in such a small town, the conflict of interest is really high. Everyone overlaps, so it’s been slow,” said Maldonado. She added facilitator training will
be ongoing this summer, using online methods, while in person sessions will wait until the fall months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I really want to increase the community awareness and involvement. Restorative justice is out there, the society is out there, but not many people know what we do,” said Maldonado, noting there’s an opportunity to bring the training to North Lights College. The restorative justice program is a holistic approach, with the goal of repairing harm in the community, bringing offenders and victims together to work out a mutual solution. Cases can be referred to the program by RCMP, the courts, or by individuals. 18 RCMP files were handled by the society last year. — Local Journalism Initiative
Spark conference organizers are expanding this year’s workshop series into June. The professional development event was held virtually May 12, with workshops on attracting and retaining world-class talent, reading nonverbal cues to enhance communication, and leading change in an organization. “Building out the program to include this series of workshops allows for a wider reach beyond the usual Spark audience,” says
Jennifer Moore. “This is an exciting new chapter in the evolution of Spark’s value proposition to our communities.” Workshops will take place June 2 to 24, and speakers include Pamela Barnum, Leanne Douglas, Paul Krismer, Sarah McVanel, Trisha Miltmore, Stephanie Staples, and Drew Dudley. Spaces are limited and organizers say registration is filling up quickly. To learn more on the schedule and workshop descriptions, visit the Spark website.
55 new daycare spaces coming The province has announced more than 50 new child care spaces in Fort Nelson. The Hillside Clubhouse project will see the double portable at the RL Angus Elementary school relocated to a site adjacent to J.S. Clark Elementary school. Before and after school care will be provided at both this school site and at G.W. Carlson Elementary and will create 55.5 new child care spaces, the province said, including 8.5 new preschool spaces and 47 new spaces for school-age children.
School District 81 is partnering with the Fort Nelson Family Development Society to provide the child care and preschool programs. The province says relocation of the portables and the establishment of programs are expected to be in place by August 2021. The province also announced 24 new child care seats in Dawson Creek for YMCA École Frank Ross, where it says renovations will repurpose the school’s library to create the new spaces for school-age children.
AROUND THE PEACE
BCLC
The BCLC says it is working with casinos and community gaming centres to reopen as early as July 1, 2021
TOM SUMMER PHOTO
Julie and Dwayne Biever have lived by Williston Lake for more than 30 years, long-time residents of Hudson’s Hope. The couple have volunteered their time to various causes over the year, such as Junior Canadian Rangers, teaching youth outdoor survival skills.
TOM SUMMER PHOTO
Groundskeeper Doug Burmel keeps a watchful eye on The Azure apartments near 108 Avenue. He says he enjoys his work and the warm weather underway.
Casinos ready for reopening Matt Preprost editor@ahnfsj.ca Gamblers can expect to see changes at game tables and slot machines when casinos reopen this summer, the BCLC says. Casinos and gaming centres were closed at the outset of the COVID pandemic last March, and are slated to reopen as early as July 1 as B.C. readies to lift public health restrictions as immunizations increase and cases decline. The BCLC says players will see changes to support casino reopenings, including: -At least two metres of space between table games, slot machines and other gambling equipment to support physical distancing. -Plexi-glass barriers where physical distancing is not possible or where casino employees, such as dealers or cash-cage staff, must interact with players. -Reduced occupancy to as many players as there are active seats available on the gaming floor, in combination with occupancy for amenities such as restaurants and lounges. -Adjusted availability of table
games to those in which cards can be dealt face up; players will not be permitted to touch cards which the exception of Squeeze Baccarat, which utilizes one-time use cards. Casino staff will also be required to complete detailed training about enhanced health and safety protocols, and to monitor capacity and other facility standards, including air quality, the BCLC said. “We’re excited to be one step closer towards reopening the casino industry and to be included in step three of B.C.’s restart plan to safely bring people back together,” said BCLC President Lynda Cavanaugh. “Casinos offer great – and safe – entertainment and socialization, while also generating revenue for provincial initiatives, community programs and First Nations.” In Fort St. John, the closure of Chances casino put 125 people out of work and has cut nearly $900,000 in gaming revenues from the city’s budget. Casinos generated $929 million for the province in 2019-20, the BCLC said, with communities receiving 10% of gaming revenues generated at facilities within their jurisdiction.