CAMPAIGN SHINES | Hospital’s Light A Bulb fundraising efforts surpass $200,000 goal [A7]
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Friday, Jan. 4, 2013
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Referendum costs cut by $1 million RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
Sports complex designs have been squeezed and the belttightening may not be done yet. Greater Vernon Advisory Committee members eliminated $1 million Thursday from the budget package, bringing the potential borrowing cost from $8.5 million to up to $7.5 million. “It’s a reflection of the total amount that will go to referendum but it doesn’t mean we will spend that amount,” said Mike Macnabb Mike Macnabb, chairperson. One way to reduce costs further for the Okanagan College site is to have user groups raise funds for items like hurdles, steeple barriers and track blocks.
“We will look to the users to come up with ideas and act on them,” said director Jim Garlick. There is also the hope that expenses could be reduced further if construction tenders come in less than expected. Among the items that were eliminated Thursday were off-site works like curbs and sidewalks and a covered seating area. “It’s a balance between user groups and what they say they want or need and the public that has to buy-in to this,” said Garlick. While the original plan called for a sand-based soccer field for $195,000, the nod has now been given to $50,000 for a soil-based natural grass field. “Sand-based fields require more maintenance,” said director Bob Fleming. Many items in the original plan, though, will remain,
including $1.1 million for a synthetic turf field instead of $525,000 for a natural grass field for sports like football. “Any sports with cleats really damages the (natural grass) field and with late season sports, the fields don’t recover over the winter,” said Keith Pinkoski, planner. A rubberized track, with a 25-year life expectancy, is still part of the plan at $1.7 million. The other option was $1.5 million for a polyurethane surface, which would last 12 years. There was also considerable debate over two buildings designated for storage, public washrooms and change rooms. But, ultimately, the $1.3 million cost for the buildings was retained because some board members suggested reducing scope could negatively impact booking events. “I’ve been to facilities where the change rooms are nickeled and dimed and a kid is out on a bench because the change room is too small,” said Fleming.
New Year’s baby makes her debut JENNIFER SMITH Morning Star Staff
It was close as two expectant moms battled through labour pains, but little Aberley Jean Mcdougall took the lead as the North Okanagan’s first baby of 2013. Born to first-time parents Kristy ObandoOrtiz and Shane Mcdougall, Aberley was born at 4:05 p.m. Tuesday, weighing just five pounds and 15 ounces. The little bundle of joy, complete with a full head of hair, was a bit of a surprise to her parents, who weren’t expecting her until today. “I forgot it was New Year’s until I turned the news on and saw the fireworks,” said 34-year-old Shane. While the Vernon couple wasn’t expecting it, others were cheering for them to deliver the first baby of 2013. “Everyone was rooting for that,” said 30-year-old Kristy. “Everyone was saying it was going to be a New Year’s baby.” But they had some competition. According to Kristy and Shane, the hospital staff informed them that another expectant mom was also going through labour. “They were in labour at the same time,” said Shane. “They (staff) kept telling us, you’re headto-head,” said Kristy, who went through 34 hours of labour, the last nine of which were
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hard labour, before a caesarean delivery helped bring her little girl into the world. The new family was awarded another special delivery Wednesday. An annual tradition for the VJH Auxiliary is to award the first baby of the year with a basket of hand-made blankets, bonnets and booties, as well as flowers and other items donated from local businesses. It was a special delivery for auxiliary member Nell McInnes. “It’s actually my birthday...but I wasn’t the New Year’s baby,” who was honoured to present “sweet” little Aberley and her family with the gifts alongside auxiliary member Dixie Mackie. Aberley is a granddaughter to Gladys Ortiz of New York, Janet and Regan Weed of Vernon and Terry and Louise Mcdougall of Chilliwack. “It’s our first granddaughter,” beamed Janet, who is already a grandma to her grandsons but is looking forward to having a baby girl in their lives. “I’ve already been out shopping, it’s like a sea of pink.” Aberley is not only the first baby of the North Okanagan, in fact she beat out Kelowna’s baby, who wasn’t born until 7:15 p.m. Tuesday. But B.C.’s very first baby of the year was born in Kamloops to a Merritt couple at 12:02 a.m.
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Kristy Obando-Ortiz and her husband Shane Mcdougall adore their newborn baby girl, Aberley Jean Mcdougall – Vernon’s first baby of 2013, born New Year’s Day at Vernon Jubilee Hospital.
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