New Westminster Record May 11 2023

UpFront

Equity, diversity in focus in recreation plan

The City of NewWestminster is embarking on an update of its parks and recreation master plan

TheresaMcManus tmcmanus@newwestrecord ca

Equity and diversity will feature prominently in the development of a new parks and recreation comprehensive plan.

Dean Gibson, the city’s director of parks and recreation, said “much has changed” since the city last updated its parks and recreation master plan in 2008 including an increased population density, demographic and cultural shifts, an urgency to respond to climate change, a greater understanding of the economic disparities in the community, and increased efforts to advance

issues related to diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism, as well as truth and reconciliation

At a May 8 workshop, staff sought council’s feedback about the key themes being explored as part of the update to the parks and recreation comprehensive plan

“Looking at things from an equity lens, looking at things from a diversity lens in terms of our services and our staffing is really where I think the focus of this effort is going to narrow in that further,” Gibson said. “Do we need to answer the question: Do we have enough sports fields to serve our

community sport organizations today and into the future?Yes, we need to answer that particular question At the same time, we need to be saying is how is it (sport) being used as a vehicle to make sure that it is addressing the diversity of needs that exists within our community? How is it serving the population groups have typically, perhaps been underrepresented in some of those activities? And that’s, in part, where we’ll be focusing a lot of this ”

According to the staff report, conversations with residents, staff, partners, stakeholders, experts and people with lived experi-

ence will be “interwoven” throughout the development of the plan

“This exercise with parks and recreation comprehensive planning is a lot about listening to what the community says,” Gibson

told council. “So … the community will be driving what the outcomes are from this work and what the recommendations are into the future ”

Erika Mashig, the city’s manager of arboriculture,

horticulture, parks and open space planning, said the development of the plan is expected to take 18 to 24 months

Coun. Nadine Nakagawa said the approach being taken shows “a lot of leadership” from the parks and recreation department

Nakagawa said it’s fantastic that the city is looking at aligning the parks and rec strategy with UNDRIP, as truth and reconciliation is something that must be embedded in every department

She’s also pleased that climate change impacts and equity in programming are also part of the work plan

“Equity isn’t treating everybody equally, it’s giving people what they need to be successful,” she said.

Expedited rezoning process planned for housing project

Continued from page 1

The existing zoning permits housing units above the ground floor, but because of the shared facilities and support services, the use is considered “supportive housing” something that’s not permitted under the current zoning, said the report.

On Monday, council directed staff to work with the applicant to prepare a rezoning bylaw that would be suitable for consideration of first, second and third readings.

According to the staff report, the Purpose Society would receive a $5 35 mil-

lion federal investment for the housing project provided a rezoning is in place by July 1, 2023 Given that timeline, city staff are recommending an expedited rezoning

Now that council has received the preliminary report about the project, the next steps in the application review process include city-led public consultation, followed by council’s consideration of the rezoning application and issuance of notice that no public hearing will be held, followed by consideration of the zoning amendment bylaw.

According to staff, a housing needs report indicates there will be a need for 358 new supportive housing beds between 2021 and 2031

Council unanimously supported a recommendation to direct staff to work with the Purpose Society to prepare a rezoning bylaw and to proceed with processing the proposed rezoning of the property Coun. Daniel Fontaine said he supports the provision of additional supportive housing but wants to make sure it’s built in the right location He questioned if the city could be

“opening up a door” to allowing more conversions of office or commercial space into housing

But Demian Rueter, acting senior manager of climate action, planning and development, said housing units are already permitted on the second and third floors of the building

“The change of use that the zoning would permit was only to allow that the specific transitional housing, supportive housing,” Rueter said.

Rueter said there are examples throughout the region of office buildings being converted to resi-

dential. In this case, Rueter said the bottom two floors of the four-storey building will continue to be used for uses that support an active street front

“The next step would be to open up that Be Heard page and the city-led consultation.We have already prepared that in advance,” Rueter said, noting staff will bring the results of that consultation back to council.

Fontaine said he’d like to see priority for the new supportive housing beds go to people in NewWestminster He said NewWest is “punching above its

weight” but some neighbouring cities aren’t providing enough supportive housing in their communities

JackieTeed, the city’s acting director of climate action, planning and development, said operators of supportive and affordable housing do try to prioritize residents of NewWest but noted there’s “fluidity” around the region of people who need the spaces.

“Certainly, the main practice is to keep people in their communities and their neighbourhoods because we know that’s the best way to support.”

PLAY BALL: The city will look at use of its sports facilities through an “equity lens” during an update to its parks and recreation master plan. PHOTO JENNIFER GAUTHIER/RECORD FILES

SENIORS WEEK JUNE 5 - 11

Celebrate older adults and all their contributions with activities at Century House:

• June 6 - Seniors in the City Getting Engaged - Your Community, Your City

• June 7 - The Vaudevillians

• June 7 - SCRIPT: Internet & Email Scam Prevention Workshop

• June 8 - Music in the Lounge

• June 9 - Dental Hygiene & Oral Health Workshop

For details call 604.5191066 or visit newwestcity.ca/seniors-week

CITY-LED COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

COMMENT PERIOD: May 10th to May 24th, 2023

REZONING APPLICATION FOR 422 SIXTH STREET (REZ00241)

WHAT IS THE REZONING (REZ00241) ABOUT?

A rezoning application has been received from the Lower Mainland Purpose Society to convert the top two floors of the existing four-storey commercial building at 422 Sixth Street to supportive housing This would include up to 30 beds intended for people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and incorporate 24/7 staff support and catering services

While the site’s existing zoning permits housing units above the ground floor, the proposed supportive housing units as defined within the City’s zoning bylaw are not permitted within the current zone As such, the site is being rezoned from Community Commercial Districts (High Rise) (C-3) (C-3A) zoning to a Comprehensive Development (CD) zoning district to permit supportive housing units above the ground floor, in addition to the uses already permitted in the existing C-3 and C-3A zones

This is the opportunity for public comment on the proposal prior to the application being forwarded to Council for consideration.

HOW CAN I BE HEARD?

Complete the survey and find project information on the project webpage at: www.beheardnewwest.ca/422-sixth-st

If you are unable to access the webpage, please contact the Planning Division: Phone: 604-527-4532

Email: devfeedback@newwestcityca

Mail: Climate Action, Planning and Development Department - Planning, 511 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, BC, V3L 1H9

Send your comments by end of day on May 24, 2023

CITYPAGE

THE LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS IN OUR CITY

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

May 7-13

Emergency Preparedness Week getprepared.gc.ca

Friday, May 12 1:00 pm

Walk with the Mayor for WALK30 Queen’s Park Arena

Saturday, May 13 1:00 pm

Native Planting Event Thompson’s Landing Park, Queensborough

Monday, May 15 No Council Meeting

2023-2026 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES PLAN

The 2023-2026 Strategic Priorities Plan is now available on the City’s website The plan includes five areas of focus that reflect the issues Council has heard most from the community The areas of focus are: Homes and Housing Options, People-Centered Economy, Safe Movement of People, and Asset Management and Infrastructure, with Community Belonging and Connecting as the central priority Visit newwestcity.ca/strategicplan for more info.

NOTICE OF DISPOSITION OF LAND

Whereas the City Council of the Corporation of the City of New Westminster wishes to sell a 440 sq ft (40 86 m2) area of land, described as the Rear of 327 Louellen Street, and which land is not available to the public for acquisition; therefore, the Corporation of the City of New Westminster hereby gives notice subject to Section 26(3) and 94 of the Community Charter:

(a) The land is more particularly described as: Parcel Identifier: 013-412-931

Legal Description: Easterly 8 Feet Lot 5 of Lot 26 Suburban Block 6 Plan 2620

(b) The City proposes to sell the above described property to: LISA MARIE HARRY

(c) The nature of the disposition: transfer of fee simple

(d) The consideration for which the Purchaser shall pay to the city: The sum of $31,000 00

For more information concerning this sale, please contact Manager, Strategic Projects, Christy Mereigh at 604-527-4502

Peter DeJong Corporate

COMMUNITY BIKE MONTH

Celebrate cycling in New Westminster! Prepare for Bike Month in June with community bike rides starting this month. Donate a bike or apply to receive one, or attend a workshop Then join the Participation Community Challenge in June to help New Westminster be crowned Canada’s Most Active Community! Community Bike Day will be held on June 24 in Moody Park For more information and a full list of events visit newwestcity.ca/bike-month

VICTORIA DAY WEEKEND SCHEDULE CHANGES

Please be advised that recreation facility hours and program schedules may change on Victoria Day weekend, May 20 – 22, 2023 Before coming to a facility, please call or check the website for program availability newwestcity.ca/rec

REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR SUMMER CAMPS!

Summer Camp registration opens today at 10:00 am for New Westminster residents, and tomorrow for everyone Summer programs such as swim lessons, skating, art and dance will open for registration on June 8. Registration is available in-person, by phone, and online at newwestcity.ca/register

SCHOOL’S OUT - MAY 19

Browse programs to keep your children active on the next non-instructional day, Friday, May 19. You’ll find day camps for ages 5 - 12 years, as well as leisure swim times, and a filming course To register visit newwestcity.ca/register and search by Keyword “School’s Out” or browse a list at newwestcity.ca/rec

WATERING RESTRICTIONS ARE IN EFFECT!

Stage 1 watering restrictions are currently in effect until Oct 15 for both residential and non-residential areas. Watering outside the allowed times requires a permit. Visit newwestcity.ca/lawnwatering for details on when you’re permitted to water your lawn and garden, and how to apply for a permit For lawn care and outdoor water conservation tips, visit welovewater.ca

THE LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS IN OUR CITY CITYPAGE

ART EXHIBIT: BUILDING A BETTER TOMORROW THROUGH ART

The Burnaby and New Westminster school districts are proud to present, in partnership, the second annual Building a Better Tomorrow Through Art. The exhibit features the artwork of high school students with diverse needs, including youth from Burnaby, New Westminster, and Vancouver Hosted by the City of New Westminster’s Art Services department, the exhibition runs from May 12 – 31 on the 4th floor of Anvil Centre anvilcentre.com/our-events/building-a-better-tomorrow-through-art

MAYOR’S ANNUAL STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS

Join Mayor, Council and the New Westminster community at Starlight Casino for lunch and the annual State of the City address on Wednesday, May 24, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Mayor Patrick Johnstone will highlight the recently approved Council’s Strategic Plan and deep dive into how they landed at their strategic priorities, and what it means for the City and the community in the term ahead Tickets are $40 plus applicable fees and can be purchased at nwstateofthecity.eventbrite.ca

NEW WESTMINSTER YOUTH FIREFIGHTER PROGRAM

The New Westminster Youth Firefighter program invites motivated and passionate youth (grade 10 - 12) to apply for this fun learning experience The program places students in a Fire Academy situation featuring classroom review, workplace experience, and live-fire combat!

The application deadline is Friday, May 26 at 9:00 pm Applications are available in-person at the Youth Centre, 620 Eighth Street, or online at newwestyouth.ca For more info contact Paolo Zenone at pzenone@newwestcityca or 604-834-0303.

ADOPT A STREET TREE!

Help us increase our urban tree canopy by caring for newly planted City trees. As a Tree Steward you’ll water and weed young trees from June to September Find a map of 600+ adoptable trees, and learn how to volunteer on our website There are many trees in need in the Brow of the Hill and Queensborough! Learn more at newwestcity ca/adopt-a-street-tree

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS WEEK

May 7 – 13 is Emergency Preparedness Week and the theme this year is: “Be Prepared Know Your Risks.” Learn about the risks in your area and what actions you can take to protect yourself and your family. Visit getprepared.gc.ca for more information about how you can prepare for an emergency, including what to put in your emergency kit

The City of New Westminster’s Emergency Management Office also encourages you to take the time now to prepare for extreme heat, especially with the higher temperatures being forecast in the coming days. Make sure your fan or air conditioner is working, install window coverings to block the sun, and connect with your neighbours so you can support each other Visit newwestcity.ca/extreme-heat for more resources.

When it came, it was with more of a whimper than a bang.

TheWorld Health Organization’s declaration last Friday that the COVID-19 public health emergency is officially over no doubt struck many as anticlimactic, to say the least.

In fact, I suspect many people had assumed the emergency ended months ago as we have largely returned to “normal” life for quite some time now.

But COVID-19 has not disappeared and is highly unlikely to. It is now an established pathogen around the world, and it continues to inflict damage on parts of our population, particularly the elderly

For example, the B.C. Centre for Disease Control reports that in the last week of April, 175 people were in hospital after testing

positive for the virus, and 16 of those were in critical care. During the last six months, almost half the deaths of people who had recently tested positive for COVID-19 resulted from the virus being the underlying cause of death (these primarily involve people over the age of 70)

New COVID-19 variants continue to emerge as well The latest is called XBB 1 16 (nicknamed “Arcturus”).

But our high vaccination rate means the ongoing existence of COVID-19 will likely not pose the kind of threat it did before the vaccines did their job.

TheWHO declaration of the COVID-19 public health emergency came on Jan. 30, 2020 Hundreds of thousands of British Columbians contracted the virus (more than

400,000 cases have officially been detected, but that is a fraction of the total cases) since that day As of the start of this month, more than 35,000 people had been hospitalized with the virus since the pandemic was declared, with the median age being 70 years. More than 7,100 were sick enough to be in critical care and more than 4,000 people died (the median age being 82 years)

The emergency exposed many things, some of them good and some of them bad

The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines was a miracle of sorts, given the historically slow pace of creating other vaccines The public bought into the vaccination program in a big way and for the most part supported unprecedented public health orders and guidelines.

However, a visible and vocal anti-science community emerged, and so did conspiracy theories largely associated with the far-right fringe.There were deep divisions in some communities, and many found themselves in isolation for much of the pandemic.

Still, we have come through it all and are in a much better place than we were for the first two years or so of the pandemic

In a box below my desk, I keep my COVID-19 notebooks and charts that tell B.C.’s journey through the emergency.

Looking at them now seems to be looking back at a very distant and strange time. I haven’t written in them for months now, and I hope I never have need to again.

Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter for Global BC.

REGIONAL PUBLISHER

EDITOR

The New Westminster Record is a member of the national news media council,which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour If you have concerns about editorial content,please contact Mark Falkenberg at mwfalkenberg@newwestrecord. ca.If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint,visit the website at mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.

The Record is the winner of the 2019 Ma Murray General Excellence Award in its circulation category The Record won the same award in 2018 and 2015, and is the recipient of multiple blue ribbons for excellence from the Canadian Community Newspapers Association

Letters

Thanks for preserving Royal City for newbies

Editor: I lived for many years a block from English Bay in a modest studio apartment Stanley Park was my backyard and English Bay my vista. Through life’s unexpected personal experiences, I found my way to Richmond and, for the last 10 years of retirement, to historic New Westminster, when and where my spacious one-bedroom could be had for $150,000

To my surprise, New Westminster brought back the heady nature days of English Bay and Stanley Park. Located midway between uptown New West and downtown, there is no need for a car and the SkyTrain is a few blocks away. Queen’s Park and a sashay among the phenomenal heritage homes takes one uptown to a thriving community of seniors with modest incomes always gathering at the Royal City Centre a sense of community

Variety in destination choice takes me on other days down my cardio hill from Royal Avenue at Fourth to the award-winning Pier Park along the mighty Fraser working river.

The marvellous, unequalled boardwalk awaits (tip of the hat to our inspired city gardeners)

Thank you to the generations of hard-working New Westminster families who have preserved the Royal City for us newbies whether owners or, increasingly, renters.

Peter Jacob

NewWest is alive again

Editor: New Westminster has historically always been the big city in the region My 86-year-old mother can tell me stories of her shopping trips, snuggled in their family sedan, between her Swedish grandma and her English one: women of great girth and character On the road from Hammond (now part of Maple Ridge) to the big city of New Westminster. A very exciting outing for an eight-year-old child

I say this because New West was never a small town It was never the mostly farming communities of Burnaby or, God forbid, Richmond, Coquitlam or Surrey.

Its richly appointed grand homes make Shaughnessy’s look, well, cheap

My point is ... time moves on. New West moves on But I think, after some decay, over the last 40 years, New Westminster is alive again. With the tinkling laughter, wonder and joy of the eight-year-old

Lori Pederson

Why I’m happy to raise my children in NewWest

Editor: I’m writing to offer a little bit of positivity to balance so many of the negative letters to the editor I’ve read in the past few weeks about the current state of New West.

I moved to New Westminster 10 years ago, but before that it was a regular hangout for me and my college friends if we wanted to hit a bar or a diner after class I remember what the city was like then, about 15 years ago now.

When I hear people claim that the city is worse than ever, I wonder when they’re comparing it to. Because while I have always loved New West, it’s hard not to acknowledge that, in the mid-2000s, it left a group of young, college-aged women feeling a lot less secure

than it would now.

The River Market is more beautiful than ever (particularly compared to when I first saw it in the ’90s, as a kid new to Canada, when it felt like a rusted, out-of-use amusement park) and the Quayside walk wasn’t nearly as lovely then as it is now

Of course, there are many obvious downsides to gentrification including, as so many of us have experienced, the often unlivable hikes in rental costs But the New West of today is one I’m very happy to raise my child (and any future children) in I think there are a small but vocal number of people that need to accept that car travel is probably not going to be the default mode of transportation going forward. Which is why I’m also proud of New West’s strides to make walking, biking, e-biking and transit much more accessible.

In short: I think New West is the best it’s been in the nearly 30 years I’ve seen it Change can be hard, but it’s worth looking around and being honest about the state of things, rather than devolving into hyperbole and NIMBY-style rhetoric.

Sarah Arboleda

People Elizabeth Fry CEO retiring after 38 years

City declares Friday, May 12 as Shawn Bayes Day as a tribute to her‘unwavering commitment’to making change

TheresaMcManus

tmcmanus@newwestrecord.ca

From her days helping out at theYMCA in New West to her decades of work as a Fryette, Shawn Bayes’ efforts have helped improve the lives of thousands of vulnerable folks across Canada.

The Sapperton resident is retiring on May 12 marking the end of a 38year career with the New West-based Elizabeth Fry Society. During that time, she’s worked to support women, girls and children who are at risk, involved in or affected by the justice system, and she has spearheaded programs striving to break the cycle of poverty, addiction, mental illness, homelessness and crime

“Whatever I’ve been able to do is because my co-workers hold me up and let me do it,” she told the Record “We all know that as a CEO, you can ask people to do things, but you can’t make anything happen They have to choose to follow And if nobody follows you, you’re on your own So I’ve been lucky; they have been willing to give me that trust

and confidence. And I think it’s made all the world of difference for the people we serve.”

SHAWN BAYES DAY

In recognition of Bayes’ retirement and decades of work supporting vulnerable women and children in NewWest and across Canada, the City of NewWestminster has declared May 12 as Shawn Bayes Day.

“Shawn Bayes’ service to this community and beyond has helped countless women and children build brighter futures,” said the city’s proclamation.

Bayes led the Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver to create numerous innovative programs and services for deeply poor or criminalized women that now serve as models in other jurisdictions, the proclamation said

“Shawn Bayes’ unwavering commitment to breaking down the barriers marginalized women face in accessing social supports led to provincial and federal policy changes that improved lives,” said the proclamation “Shawn Bayes identified children of incarcerated parents as

an unsupported marginalized group in Canada and created the nation’s first specialized programming to support them, with her work recognized by the international group charged with furthering the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child ”

Bayes’ efforts to help others began as a child when the then-Coquitlam resident would hop on the Pacific Coach Lines bus and head to theYMCA in NewWestminster.

“I had been a youth counsellor there from the time I was like 11 or 12. I used to go to theY camp every summer and then I went as a counsellor in training,” she recalled. “So I had always worked with youth. ... And so I knew I always wanted to work with people.”

CAREER IN SERVICE

Bayes began her career in social services working at youth group homes in northern B.C.

“Living in the far north in the early ’80s with youth meant that you saw a lot of issues related to poverty, related to the cultural genocide that had happened in Indigenous fam-

ilies there,” she recalled. “And so when I came back, because I am from the Lower Mainland, I just really wanted to continue to do that work.”

Bayes started working for EFry in 1985 as a youth counsellor. Her next role was working in community justice programs and women’s prisons programs.

Bayes served as the organization’s manager of community services programs and manager of community corrections before becoming CEO in 1997.

Bayes is grateful for having had the opportunity to help improve the lives of women and children

“Women can often get left behind, and their children particularly,” she said “So I think women’s organizations are to really be valued and cherished for what they bring. …They’re really needed. And they are needed to be able to support the most invisible part of our community, and the most vulnerable.”

Upon her retirement from EFry, Bayes will work on a women’s and chil-

dren’s housing/homelessness plan for an Ontario municipality She’ll also enjoy the chance to spend more time with her partner and her mother “Serving as the CEO of EFry is a big job. It takes a lot of time. And we often call it being a Fryette; it’s a way of life,” she said. “EFry is a 24-7 organization. Our staff are working around the clock, so the emails are pinging in, and sometimes you have to do what you have to do. So, I will enjoy, I think, a slower pace.”

TRIBUTE: Shawn Bayes is retiring from her work with the Elizabeth Fry Society, and the City of New Westminster has proclaimed a day in her honour PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Don’t miss these weekend events & activities!

THURSDAY, MAY 11

TO SUNDAY, MAY 14

HOUSE OF COMEDY

No matter how ho-hum your week was, here’s something to lighten up your weekend: a hilarious stand-up act by Montreal-based Derek Seguin. Be prepared for a night of laughter as the artist has a reputation of leaving his audience in stitches be it at the Just For Laughs festival (six times!), the Newfoundland Comedy Festival or the Grand Rire du Quebec’s Comedie Club Series.Tickets are priced at $18.

WHEN: Thursday, May 11, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, May 12, 7:30 and 9:45 p.m.; Saturday, May 13, 7 and 9:30 p.m.; and Sunday, May 14, 7 p.m.

WHERE: Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy, 530 Columbia St.

DETAILS: bc.houseofcomedy.net

SATURDAY, MAY 13

ECO-ART CRAFT TIME

Make this Mother’s Day extra special by turning an old four-litre milk jug into an adorable gift for your mom. Join Dr Recycle in a “junkology” workshop, organized by the Free Little Art Gallery of NewWest, and find a new way to tell your mom that you love her

Take your gift up a notch by also learning how to make plant-able seed art pictures from artist Merril Hall at an ecoworkshop that will coincide with the milk jug craft session No registration required, but participants are encouraged to bring an

empty and clean milk jug to the event.

WHEN: Saturday, May 13, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: New Westminster Public Library (auditorium), 715 Sixth Ave.

INFO: www.instagram.com/ newwestflag

SATURDAY, MAY 13 AND SUNDAY, MAY 14

MAPLE LEAF SINGERS

Make this weekend all about reliving the past through music Attend the spring show by the Maple Leaf Singers a group that was founded more than half a century

SATURDAY, MAY 13

ART OF THE GARDEN

Here’s an art show with a twist. Unlike other art spaces where artwork strictly stays mounted on walls or housed on shelves, atVan Dop Gallery’s annual Art of the Garden show, they are spread out in the gallery and garden grounds Yep, you can browse through art pieces while taking a leisurely stroll in their spring garden as part of the gallery’s annual Mother’s Day weekend event. While you do that, keep an eye out for a collection of bright fused glass creations apt for both home and garden decor by artistViolet Finvers, the featured artist at the event.

WHEN: Saturday, May 13, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Van Dop Gallery, 421 Richmond St.

INFO: www.vandopgallery.com

ago as they bring back the magic of the Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel and other legends through a live concert in NewWest

Known for their varied repertoire including folk, classical, rock, pop, gospel and more, the show chorus will perform a mashup of the classic and the contemporary featuring chart-topping hits from the 1960s to the 2020s Tickets are priced at $27

WHEN: Saturday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, May 14 at 2 p.m..

WHERE: Anvil Theatre, 777 Columbia St.

INFO: Get info at www.anviltheatre.ca or buy tickets at www.ticketsnw.ca

SUNDAY, MAY 14 ENERGETIC BODYWORK

As part of its grand opening, Sea2Sky Wellness Club is offering a class called Kundalini and Energetic Bodywork which will help awaken the energy located at the base of the spine (a.k.a. kundalini in Sanskrit) The class is priced at $55

WHERE AND WHEN: Sunday, May 14, 6 p.m. at Sea2Sky Wellness, 428 Columbia St.

INFO: www.sea2skywellness.com

Compiled by Naveena Vijayan

PHOTO: Van Dop Gallery

Glass art by Violet Finvers is featured at the Art of the Garden exhibition at Van Dop Gallery this Saturday for Mother’s Day weekend

News Two arrested in New Westminster kidnapping

TheresaMcManus

tmcmanus@newwestrecord ca

Two B C residents have been charged in connection to a kidnapping investigation in NewWest

According to a New Westminster Police Department press release, police learned a local resident had allegedly been kidnapped during the evening of April 25 Based on evidence obtained during what police referred to as a “rapidly unfolding” investigation, the NWPD said two armed suspects were intercepted by police, leading to the safe rescue of the hostage

“Investigators were extremely concerned for

the well-being of this individual,” said NWPD spokesperson Sgt. Andrew Leaver. “The safe rescue of the hostage and arrests of the suspects is in no doubt thanks to dedicated teams of skilled police officers.”

According to the news release, the NewWestminster Police Department’s Major Crime Unit led the investigation, receiving extensive support from internal specialty units and numerous police agencies around the region.Those included the RCMP, the Vancouver Police Department, MetroVancouver Transit Police, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, and the Lower Mainland Inte-

grated Emergency ResponseTeam.

“These investigations are very resource-intensive,” Deputy Chief Const. Paul Hyland said in the news release, “so I am very ap-

preciative of the excellent work done by our investigators and the amazing support we received from our policing partners.”

Kyle Clark Dimond, a 40-year-old Kamloops res-

ident, has been charged with kidnapping, forcible confinement, assault with a weapon and use of an imitation firearm.

Marc KevinValcourt, a 42-year-oldVernon res-

ident, has been charged with kidnapping, forcible confinement and use of an imitation firearm.

Police believe this was a targeted event and do not believe the public is at risk.

When we say PARC life is your best life, we don’t expect you to take our word for it Instead, we want you to try it for yourself!

PARC experience stays allow seniors to sample all the comforts of our lifestyle and suites – with no cost or commitment Come and gaze at our beautiful views, taste our flavour-packed, chef-made cuisine and experience the freedom of having your every need taken care of. You’ll feel at home from the moment you walk through our doors.

Your experience stay comes packaged with all of our exclusive PARCActive Living™ programs, including a state-of-the-art seniors’ gym, fitness classes, art and cultural programs, an onsite Wellness Nurse, complimentary transportation and more Call

Community

Youth firefighter program returns this summer

TheresaMcManus tmcmanus@newwestrecord ca

NewWest teens will get the opportunity to put out fires and cut apart a car at this year’s youth firefighter program

The NewWestminster youth firefighter program, being held for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, runs from July 10 to 14

Teens will get four days of instruction at the Queensborough fire hall, followed by a day at the Justice Institute of B C for live burns

The program is open to Grade 10 to 12 students (from any school), with preference going to applicants who live in New West Applications are due by May 26, with interviews being conducted from June 5 to 8 and the final selection of the candidates being completed by June 16

Glen Bailey, acting assistant deputy chief with New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services, said partici-

pants will have a lot of fun and learn a lot

“It is to allow young people to see what we do and maybe consider firefighting as a career,” he said.

During the five-day program, students will get their CPR certification, put on firefighters’ bunker gear and self-contained breathing apparatus and learn how to use different hoses.

On the final day, they’ll head to the JIBC in Maple Ridge, where they will be

able to put out a live fire

NewWestminster Fire and Rescue Services is offering the program in partnership with the City of NewWestminster, the New Westminster School District and the Justice Institute of B.C. Details about application requirements and application forms are available online at www.tinyurl.com/ NWYouthFireProgram or at the Glenbrook fire hall at 1 East Sixth Ave.

Hands on: The New Westminster youth firefighter program returns this year the first time it’s been offered since the COVID-19 pandemic. Teens must apply by May 26. PHOTO THERESA MCMANUS

Challenge starts at the base of the Coquitlam Crunch at the Scott Creek Community Gardens

the

loop

and down) of the Crunch

REMEMBRANCES

Obituaries

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SAMBOLEC, Ivan

December 1, 1933 April 24, 2023

Passed away peacefully at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster on Monday, April 24, 2023. Ivan is survived by his wife, Donna Sambolec; sons Richard (Monica) and Dan (Jessica); and stepsons DJ Lawrence (Melinda) and Drew Lawrence. He will be lovingly remembered by his grandchildren Jocelyn, Amanda, Christina, Riley, Megan, Rebecca and Jenna. Ivan was predeceased by his sisters Marica, Julika and Danica.

Born December 1, 1933, he grew up in Slovenia and emigrated to Canada in 1957. He moved to Victoria and later Richmond, working for Pittsburgh Paints and 27 years with the Vancouver School Board Workshop. In 1994, Ivan married Donna Lawrence. They lived in Burnaby and Kamloops before moving to New Westminster to be closer to family in 2020.

A curler and avid golfer, Ivan shared his love of sports and the outdoors with his sons. While they were growing up, he took them hiking, camping and fishing throughout BC’s interior. Ivan was also an excellent dancer and enjoyed the waltz in particular. He and Donna were long time members of the BC Swinging Singles Square Dance Club, where they met. A modest and gentle man, who was especially proud and supportive of his grandchildren, Ivan will be dearly missed.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on May 26, 2023, at Columbia Bowell Chapel, 219 6th St, New Westminster, BC.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Canadian Red Cross in Ivan’s memory.

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LegaL/PubLic Notices

By virtue of the Warehouseman’s Lien Act KINGSWAY BAILIFF SERVICE will dispose of:

1) 2015 Ford Mustang VIN# 1FA6P8TH2F5416039

Debtor RO: JASKEERAT SINGH X

Amount owed: $14,600

2) 2016 Dodge Caravan V N# 2C4RDGBG6GR266718

Debtor RO: LOUIS MARK Amount owed: $8,775 00

Viewing by Appointment Un ts can be viewed on ine:: https://kingswayba l ff com/car-gallery/

All email written bids to Kingsway Bailiff Service by May 19, 2023 at: nfo@kingswaybailiff com www K ngswayBail ff com

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Notice is hereby g ven that on May 23rd, 2023, U-Lock Min Storage, 4240 Manor St, Burnaby, V5G 1B2, w l sel the contents of the ockers l sted below:

Unit #0139 - Yuxiang (Marco) Guo

Unit #1040 - Xinmao Huang

Unit #1107 - Joshua St Germaine

Unit #2194 - Ji Soo (Jess ca) Lee

Unit #0073 - Sam Garcia

These ockers wil be put for auct on via: iBid4storage com on the 23rd of May 2023

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