RUNNING FOR KIDS: Delta firefighter in Run Rich Run Challenge, 10 KAMLOOPS BOUND: Athletes headed to B.C. Winter Games, 28 PINK GAME
Battle of the Badges, 5
NEWSSTAND $1
www.delta-optimist.com
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018
The voice of Delta since 1922
Sizable tab for rundown tracks
District officials peg costs to upgrade facilities at four high schools could be $4 million or more SANDOR GYARMATI
s g y a r m a t i @ d e l t a - o p t i m i s t .c o m
It’s going to cost big bucks to upgrade Delta’s rundown track and field facilities. At a recent Delta parks, recreation and culture commission meeting, representatives from the school district outlined a
study of track and sports field improvements at four secondary schools. The commission was told the base project cost was estimated at $2.4 million to $4 million with options adding potential costs of up to $6 million. Hoping to utilize new provincial funding, the Delta school
board last fall approached the city about what it would take to bring together all three levels of government and perhaps other funding partners. Trustees noted not only students but thousands of Delta residents would benefit from the upgrades. The city has a long list of other funding requests from sport user
groups, including, most recently, tennis players who are upset their indoor facility will be lost if a casino is built at the Delta Town & Country Inn site. The Delta Gymnastics Society made a presentation about a potential expansion to the commission last year. As far as Delta’s tracks, the
Getting creative at Craft Day!
commission was told the school district’s plan is only at the discussion stage. Should a funding agreement progress with the provincial and federal governments, consultants would be brought in to refine the project followed by further discussions regarding Delta’s potential role.
Reach to open its new centre on Saturday
PHOTO BY ADRIAN MACNAIR
Eight-year-old Gemma gets creative at the craft table during the fifth annual Family Fun Craft Day at Ladner Baptist Church last Saturday. See more photos from the event at www.delta-optimist.com.
Reach Child and Youth Development Society will officially open its new home, the Lois E. Jackson Kinsmen Centre for Children, this Saturday. The three-storey, 20,000-square-foot-centre is on 47th Avenue adjacent to the Ladner Pioneer Library. The Building for Children Together Campaign began back in 2010 and has raised $5.7 million to date. The new centre is not only twice the size of Reach’s old space in East Ladner, but it’s also in a much more visible location in the heart of the community. The new space is expected to allow Reach to help twice as many children with special needs. It includes a specialized lending library, an inclusive pre-school, a natural playground and more. • For more on the new centre, see pages 13 to 21.
Real Auto Repair Difference Repaired the right way at Tsawwassen Collision
604.943.6383
17-1835 56th St. Tsawwassen (Behind Mcdonalds) www.tsawwassencollision.com