UP FRONT 3
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THURSDAY DECEMBER 14, 2017
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LOCAL NEWS – LOCAL MATTERS
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NewWestRecord.ca N E W S P A P E R
CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED
Push is on for third ice sheet
Share the joy In our Dec. 7 edition, we began our annual Guide to Giving, outlining all the ways you can help support a variety of good causes at Christmastime and beyond. In this edition, we bring you our final two instalments: stories on how you can support the Fraser River Discovery Centre by donating to its Giving Circle campaign (page 31) and on how you can help Monarch Place with its work providing a safe haven for women escaping violence (page 33).
By Theresa McManus
tmcmanus@newwestrecord.ca
A contingent of local sports organizations is appealing to the city to put the issue of a third arena for New West on the ballot in the 2018 civic election. Representatives from the New Westminster Minor Hockey Association and the New Westminster Minor Lacrosse Association recently appeared at the city’s parks and recreation committee to make a case for construction of a third ice sheet in New West and to encourage the city to put the issue on the ballot in the 2018 civic election. Daniel Fontaine, a New West resident who spearheaded an online petition supporting a third ice sheet, said the number of students is increasing in New Westminster, but participation in minor hockey is declining – something he attributes, in part, to availability and hours of ice time at Queen’s Park and Moody Park arenas. “My son in bantam, it was down to 39 registrants.That meant we could only pull together two teams.Three or four boys had to go play in Burnaby.When you have only 39 registrants for bantam and last year you had more like 50, something is happening,” he said. “Kids have other priorities.We have to make sure this is as simple as possible.” The delegation stated a third ice sheet would enable local teams to host more tournaments and could provide more ice time – and better times – for local kids.The delegation also noted public skating times are limited due to the minor hockey association’s ice requirements. City of New Westminster officials have made no secret of the fact that the replacement of Canada Games Pool and Centennial Community Centre is the city’s top priority for parks facilities. Fontaine said the group doesn’t want the city to delay that project but to ask citizens if they’re willing to pay a special levy to cover the cost of building a third ice sheet.
IN HIS WHEELHOUSE:
Stephen Bruyneel, executive director of Fraser River Discovery Centre, encourages community members to support the Fraser River through the Giving Circle campaign that’s running until the end of December.
PHOTO JENNIFER GAUTHIER
continued on page 8
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