Royal City Record March 5 2014 by New West Record

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2014

W E S T M I N S T E R

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‘THE PRICE? THE PRICE IS RIGHT’, SAYS MAYOR OF NEW WESTMINSTER

City sells Merchant Square for $36.5M BY THERESA MCMANUS REPORTER tmcmanus@royalcityrecord.com

The City of New Westminster has sold Merchant Square office tower for $36.5 million. “We are really pleased with everything about this deal from beginning to end. It was a tough, hard slog,” said Mayor Wayne Wright. “The price? The price is right.” Although a developer may have attempted to sell the building for more money, the city’s motivation for selling wasn’t to maximize profits. “Value in an office building is on the income side, which is all the leasing. The leasing part of this building is where the risk is,” said Lisa Spitale, the city’s chief administrative officer. “We are not assuming that risk.” Spitale said the project was never envisioned to be a Mayor Wayne Wright profit-driven venture, as it was done for job creation, revitalization and expansion of the downtown’s economic base. The city’s goal was to minimize risk to taxpayers and maximize the project’s other contributions to the community, such as property taxes and economic developments. “The city sold the office building to remain whole,” she said. “It is basically to recover our costs and create a situation where all the goals we sought out to pursue are being achieved there.” Coun. Bill Harper said the deal wasn’t just about cost recovery, saying the city will turn a profit. While city officials couldn’t pinpoint the net financial gain to city coffers because of the way the deal is structured, Wright said it could be “several” million dollars. According to the City of New Westminster, the office tower’s total budget was $40 million, which included $30 million for construction and $10 million

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The right price: Merchant Square has sold for $36.5 million to 777 Columbia Street, a partnership jointly owned by Kingswood Capital and Duke Holdings. Renowned businessman and philanthropist Joe Segal co-owns that company. The city will retain ownership of Anvil Centre, a conference and community facility. to outfit the building for tenants, as well as money for and commission and leasing costs. Because the purchaser has assumed responsibility for tenant improvements and leasing of the office space, the city will not require $9.5 million that had previously been budgeted to prepare the space for future tenants. “They gave us a $5 million irrevocable credit, basically the same as cash that

we’ll hold until closing. Closing will happen on Dec. 30, 2014, at which time they will transition the letter of credit to cash, and then we will add another $6.25 million. We will have cash in our pocket on Dec. 30, 2014 of $11.25 million,” said Gary Holowatiuk, the city’s director of finance and information technology, during a media briefing. “The balance – $25.25 million – will be paid out basically through

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a vendor take-back mortgage. It will be paid out Dec. 30, 2017 – or when that office tower is 75 per cent leased up. They will be paying interest on that mortgage during that time, compounding semiannually, paying interest out on an annual basis.” City officials said it’s not unusual for a deal of this magnitude to be paid out ◗The deal Page 4

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The Record • Wednesday, March 5, 2014 • A03

◗IN THE NEWS Police need help identifying suspect ◗P5 School district budget “trending positive” ◗P8

NLINE EXTRAS

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EVENTS

Almost done: Construction on the Anvil Centre and Merchant Square, is scheduled to be complete in June and will be fully operational by September.

PHOTO GALLERIES

Artist’s rendition/

NEWS

New Westminster man killed in collision on Stewardson Way

ENTERTAINMENT

Poetry and more in this week’s Lively City Check out up-to-date events and arts listings Keep an eye on our Paper Postcards from the road

THE RECORD

FACTS AND FIGURES ON ANVIL CENTRE AND MERCHANT SQUARE View our stories and photos with Layar Using Layar: Download the

Layar app to your smartphone. Look for the Layar symbol. Scan the photo or the page of the story as instructed. Ensure the photo or headline is entirely captured by your device. Check for advertisements that have Layar content, too. Watch as our pages become interactive.

Photos and a video of Anvil Centre and Merchant Square Page 3 More information on Joe Segal Page 4 Photos of suspect in taxi robbery Page 5 Photos and video of Royal City Musical Theatre’s search for its canine star Page 11 Video of PacWest women’s basketball championships Page 15

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◆ Anvil Centre is a $41.5 million civic facility that includes convention facilities, a theatre, an art gallery, the city’s museum and archives, the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame, multiuse rooms and more. ◆ Anvil Centre construction will conclude in June, with the facility set to be fully operational in September. ◆ Merchant Square is a nine-storey, 137,000 square foot, Class A office building on top of the civic centre. It’s located directly across from the New Westminster SkyTrain station. ◆ Employment generating potential of

office tower: 525 fulltime positions in the office tower, 25 to 33 full-time positions in the city’s restaurant and small retail space, and 202 to 210 spin-off jobs. ◆ When fully leased, the office tower is expected to bring in $1 million in taxes annually – about $650,000 in municipal property taxes, and another $400,000 in school and regional taxes. ◆ When fully operational, Anvil Centre’s annual expenditures are project to be $2.3 million, and revenues are projected at $2.2 million, and the city expects to receive $650,000 in municipal

property taxes. The city anticipates that property taxes and projected revenues will help offset the annual operating costs of running Anvil Center. ◆ The city is currently reviewing two proposals for a 6,000 square foot restaurant and an 800 square foot retail space, perhaps for a coffee shop, to open at the same time as the convention centre and the office tower. The city owns these spaces and will it to tenants. ◆ The first convention in Anvil Centre will take place in October.

Savvy biz leader buys tower

BY THERESA MCMANUS REPORTER tmcmanus@royalcityrecord.com

Renowned businessman and philanthropist Joe Segal is investing in New West. The City of New Westminster has sold Merchant Square to 777 Columbia Street, a partnership jointly owned by Kingswood Capital and Duke Holdings – a company jointly owned by businessmen Joseph Segal and Suki Sekhon. As part of the $36.5 milliondeal, the city will retain ownership of Anvil Centre, a conference and community facility, fee-simple land, ground-level retail space and the three-level underground

Last week’s question Do you want medical marijuana facilities in New West? YES 49% NO 51% This week’s question Do you think the sale of Merchant Square was a good deal for the city? Vote at: www.royalcityrecord.com

parkade. “I am proud to announce that the tower has been sold. In the coming months you’ll hear more from the purchaser, a partnership with the involvement of noted businessman and philanthropist, Joe Segal,” Mayor Wayne Wright said during his annual address on Monday night. “Like other savvy business leaders, Joe recognizes that New Westminster is Joe Segal on the rise and playing a central role in the Metro Vancouver economy. I’d like to welcome Joe Segal and his partner

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Suki Sekhon to the Royal City. It’s great to have you here.” Segal is president of the Kingswood Capital, a Vancouver based conglomerate involved in various businesses including real estate investment and development, manufacturing, financing and television. Wright said Segal is a savvy business leader, who recognizes that New Westminster is on the rise and playing a central role in the Metro Vancouver economy. Segal is president of the Kingswood Capital, a Vancouver based conglomerate

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involved in various businesses including real estate investment and development, manufacturing, financing and television. “The sale of the office tower at Eighth and Columbia is a significant part of our vision for the city’s economic development and revitalization of the downtown core,” Wright said. “The involvement of such a respected business luminary as Mr. Segal in our city is solid proof that New Westminster is once again being seen as a great place for business to thrive and grow in Metro Vancouver.” The City of New Westminster originally partnered with the Uptown Property Group on the ◗Sale Page 4

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A04 • Wednesday, March 5, 2014 • The Record

Sale: Buyer known for work in Variety Club and other groups ◗ continued from page 3

For more on Joe Segal, scan with Layar

Ric Ernst, PNG/THE RECORD

Merchant Square: Joe Segal is a well-known businessman and philanthropist who coowns the company that bought Merchant Square for $36.5 million.

The deal: ‘We got market value’ ◗ continued from page 1

in instalments. In addition to providing the city with $11.25 million Dec. 30, 2014, the purchaser will provide the city with the remaining $25.25 million within three years - with interest. “I think we definitely got market value for this building,” Holowatiuk said. “I think the city did very well by the deal, given the fact that it is a vacant office tower. We were able to put off the risk associated with leasing up a tower like this.” Holowatiuk said the contract with 777 Columbia St. doesn’t include any escape clauses that would allow it to walk away from the deal. Financial experts who have been advising the city have stated that the $11.25 mil-

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lion deposit is a substantial sum. “That is one-third of the purchase price,” he said of the $11.25 million the city will have by year-end. “That is almost kind of unheard of in these kinds of deals. It’s the kind of security that is going to prevent anybody from walking. Our understanding in dealing with Mr. Segal, that is not going to be an issue.” Holowatiuk said the city will receive $36.5 million for the building, which cost $30 million to construct. “The $6 million was an additional piece – you can call it cash in lieu for parking. We are able to take that $6 million and reduce the cost of that parkade so we are not going to have to take on as much debt

to build that parkade,” he said. “That is how we are doing the financing.” Instead of having to finance the parkade construction with $11 million from debt, Holowatiuk said that $6 million can go toward parkade construction costs. The city will retain ownership of the parkade.

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office project. When the Uptown Property Group withdrew from the project, city officials debated whether or not to proceed with construction of the office tower, ultimately deciding to carry on with the entire project as they consider the office space to be a critical component of downtown revitalization and the city’s overall economic development efforts. In May 2012, the City of New Westminster announced it would build the $33-million office tower on top of its $41.5-million civic centre, after the Uptown Property Group pulled out of the project. While some citizens called the move “scary” and speculated the city would be left with a “white elephant” or huge cost overruns, others deemed it to be a bold and visionary move on the part of the city. More than 2,000 people later

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signed petitions as part of an “alternate approval process” in response to the city’s plan to borrow up to $59 million to build the office tower and civic centre. “When we made the decision to pursue office tower construction in 2012, we did so knowing the many benefits that this project will bring to the city,” Wright said. “The office tower and Anvil Centre are on track for completion later this spring, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to these great new assets, not only for our community but all of Metro Vancouver.” Kingswood Capital is majority-owned by Vancouver businessman and philanthropist Joe Segal, a recipient of the Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia. Along with his wife, Rosalie, he received the Variety Club International Humanitarian Award in 2005 – the organization’s highest award.

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The Record • Wednesday, March 5, 2014 • A05

Do you recognize this taxi passenger? BY CAYLEY DOBIE REPORTER cdobie@royalcityrecord.com

It began as a routine pickup at the Edmonds SkyTrain station and ended in a robbery. New Westminster police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect who threatened and robbed a taxi driver last month. At about 8:20 p.m. on Feb. 12 a man got into a taxi at the Edmonds SkyTrain station in Burnaby and proceeded to pull out a knife and threaten the driver, according to a media release from the department. The suspect was able to get an undisclosed amount of money from the driver. He also forced the driver to take him to a convenience store in New Westminster, where he

attempted to have the driver withdraw cash from the ATM. The driver refused to withdraw the money and managed to escape. New Westminster police are hoping the public can identify the suspect. He is described as a Caucasian man in his For mid 20s with a medium more photos, build and about 5-6. scan He was wearing with a black jacket with a Layar large, white letter ‘V,’ dark jeans and white runners, white ball cap and a distinctive tattoo on his hand. Anyone with information on the identity of the suspect is asked to contact Det. Josh Hooker at the New Westminster Police Department, 604-5292537. Follow Cayley on Twitter, @ cayleydobie

Seeking suspect: Police are looking for help in identifying the passenger seen in this taxi surveillance camera photo. The man is a suspect in the robbery of a taxi driver on Feb. 12. For more photos, see www. royalcity record.com.

Photo contributed/ THE RECORD

Cops investigate bullet hole at ’Boro apartment during the day, while no one was in the suite. According to Staff Sgt. Paul Hyland, investigators do not believe the current tenants of the apartment were the intended target as they have no history with police and only recently moved into the building.

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The bullet, which was located in the apartment, was seized by investigators and is being analyzed by the forensic unit. Anyone with information is asked to contact Const. Leigh Hodak at 604-525-5411 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

“This kind of incident is of great concern to us,” Hyland said in the release. “And while we are unable to definitely say what the motive was behind it, we are confident that the current occupants of the residence were not the intended targets.”

New Westminster police are investigating after a woman came home to find a bullet hole in her patio window. Officers were called to an

apartment in the 200 block of Salter Street on Thursday afternoon after a woman reported a bullet hole in her patio window, according to a media release from New Westminster police. Investigators have determined that the shot was fired sometime

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A06 • Wednesday, March 5, 2014 • The Record

◗ Your view:

To include your letter, use our online form at www.royalcityrecord.com, contact us by email at editorial@royalcityrecord.com, or fax to 604-444-3460.

The man who took the heat deserves the credit

The civic centre and office space above There will, of course, be critics of the it was a giant leap for this city. sale. When Uptown Group pulled out of After all the i’s are dotted and t’s the deal in 2012, the city was faced with crossed on Merchant Square’s sale, there having to take on the risk will still be questions. Could itself, or selling quickly – and the city have gotten more? How losing control of the project much did the city really make, THE RECORD and its investment . It took on if anything, given all of its the risk. internal costs? And let us be clear here. This is largely But at this point in time, at this juncdue to one man’s leadership. ture in the city’s downtown vision, this is Wright, since the day he took office (or a good thing – in fact, a very good thing. some might argue, even before his elecAnd the city – and, most importantly, Mayor Wayne Wright – deserves a sincere tion) has had his sights set on bringing the downtown area back to the vibrant pat on the back.

OUR VIEW

centre it was in a bygone era. Agree or disagree with Wright’s vision, but he has not wavered in his quest. Putting a civic centre downtown – which is jammed with old buildings, narrow streets and aging infrastructure and is in the midst of a residential evolution – demanded taking the longer view. We believe that it is the right step in the long-term identity and development of this city. In fact, even if the city just breaks even, it’s a worthy venture. A lot of what city planners and city leaders have been doing during the last five to seven years is making up for what

city leaders did not do in the previous 15 to 25 years. And, if the city did not build a “heart” in the city’s downtown, we believe it would be an uphill struggle to keep the downtown vibrant and this city moving forward. It would not have been enough to just build a waterfront park and encourage small businesses to put their faith in that area. We’re not sure if Joe Segal was an ardent bridegroom in this marriage or if there was some serious matchmaking. But it’s the right commitment at the right time. And we raise a glass of bubbly to toast this union.

Soap opera drags on in B.C. schools IN THE HOUSE

KEITH BALDREY

he B.C. version of “The NeverEnding Story” has resumed playing, and it’s not clear that it will ever actually stop. I’m referring, of course, to the pseudo-comic soap opera that stars the B.C. Teachers’ Federation and the B.C. Liberal government. I hammered the government in this space a few weeks back for its heavy-handed and inept attempts to arbitrarily strip language from the BCTF collective agreement. It has lost twice in court on that issue, but it’s still fighting, likely all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada. The government needs to quit scheming to outfox the BCTF and get down to real negotiations that will inevitably involve a significant increase in funding for the kindergarten-to-Grade 12 education system to address important issues such as class composition (often involving children designated with special needs). But just when things were looking up for the BCTF, leave it to the union to again engage in some puzzling behaviour. After the government made an open-

ing offer in its round of negotiations for a new contract with the BCTF, the union opted to abruptly announce it will hold a strike vote without presenting its own detailed counter-offer. Now, strike votes are a perfectly legitimate and well-used part of labour relations strategy. But holding one before any actual detailed negotiations occur seems odd, to say the least. The BCTF leadership has taken pains to say that even armed with a strong strike vote mandate, the union will not take job action that has any negative impact on the classroom and students. This leaves one to wonder how, then, a strike vote puts any kind of pressure on the government at the negotiating table. The sudden emphasis on holding a strike vote may be designed to deflect attention from an issue that the BCTF is vulnerable on. That would be its pitch for a wage increase, which in past contract talks seem to have come from a different planet. For example, there was the 34 per cent hike the BCTF asked for back in 2001, within days of the 9/11 attacks. There was a $2 billion package presented a few years ago, which included lengthy paid leave provisions for the death of a friend (but not a Facebook friend, as the joke went at the time). The government’s chief negotiator, Peter Cameron, says the union has dropped hints

Dear Editor:

As a 10-year resident of our Quayside community, I have enjoyed getting my local events, news and happenings from The Record and find it usually well-balanced and informative. I was glad to read a recent letter to the editor by John Ashdown (Council decision makes no sense, The Record, Feb. 28) seriously questioning the treatment of the venerable organization called “Hyack.” The way I understand it, hundreds of well-respected New Westminster citizens and business leaders gave generously of their time, monetary support and expertise with no expectation of monetary returns to themselves or their businesses for over 40 years. Now, it seems, many of us are questioning why a handful of uptown people, who are very negative ◗Teachers Page 7

Brad Alden

2013

CCNA BLUE RIBBON

What’s with the uptown decision?

•

CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2013

PUBLISHER

balden@van.net

Lara Graham

Pat Tracy •

about Hyack and their successful festivals, parades, ambassador programs and other ventures promoting our beautiful city, are being handed loads of money, including $18,000 for themselves in management fees, mostly because they asked council for the money. And this for one single event, which success for the past two years was mostly due to the crowds supporting the wonderful parades put on by Hyack without any management fees for a couple of individuals or their companies. Reminiscing a couple short years ago in The Record: Is this uptown group the same people who created such havoc on our city’s planning department, our mayor and councillors, not to mention our thousands of tax dollars, by pulling out of their contract to support the new superb Anvil Centre and building their own uptown commercial building?

DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING

•

EDITOR

ptracy@ royalcityrecord.com

lgraham@van.net

◗Hyack Page 7

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The Record • Wednesday, March 5, 2014 • A07

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Hyack deserves respect ◗ continued from page 6

How quickly our mayor and most councillors at their last council meeting appear to be changing their loyalties with their abject support of whatever this group does as they, over the past few months, target the leadership and the valuable assets and resources of one of our most respected and altruistic local organizations. Please, show more respect for our venerable institutions and, yes, our tax dollars. John Lalonde, New Westminster

Uptown funding questioned Dear Editor:

New Westminster business association not interested in amateur, small-scale events, The Record online, Feb. 24. Thanks to the above article by Theresa McManus, we are now all better enlightened about Uptown Live’s plans for New Westminster. It is so nice to see what out-of-town interests have in mind to entertain New Westminster citizens with a healthy dose of taxpayer money that it received prematurely, unsupported by detail and not having been subject to a city audit. The following points emerge: 1. Although Uptown Live, its principals and hired guns have been very disparaging about the Hyack Festival Association, it wants to capitalize on the large crowds drawn by the Hyack International Parade in order to assure success of its own venture. It’s too bad that the fate of the parade they want to bootstrap, for their own ends, may be in jeopardy as the result of a delayed funding decision of city council. Perhaps the high-paid help at city hall

will be marshalled to put on the parade if Hyack funding is denied. 2. The Hyack International Parade, not a small-scale event, relies on hundreds of hours of community volunteer non-paid effort whereas the new, improved and larger version of Uptown Live relies on hundreds of hours of so-called professional paid help – help hired from outside the community using New West taxpayer dollars. 3. On the one hand its principals complain about the logistics of coat-tailing on Hyack International Parade crowds, but on the other hand admit that they can’t pull it off without milking them. This is the kind of brood parasitism characteristic of the brown-headed cowbird that lays its eggs in another species’ nest and devolves the rearing responsibility on the host bird. 4. It appears that Mr. Slotman watched his cowbird protégé milk the Hyack host last year, and now that it has left the nest, Mr. Smith goes to Uptown Live, at least according to their application to city council, for a minimum of $10,000. But wait, that number was from an “outdated application.” Perhaps city council should review that application with “updated” information at best, or audit Uptown Live at worst. In summary: City council has rushed to approve funding for, $28,000 cash plus $20,000 in-kind services, a new scheme, with no history, to benefit out of town professionals at the expense of approving funding of volunteer community activities in a timely manner as they sit on an “audit” of an independent long-standing community-based organization. Things that make you go Hmmmmmmm. E.C. “Ted” Eddy, Hyack Director, Coquitlam

Teachers: Will pay hike be requested? ◗ continued from page 6

in negotiations that an “extreme” wage demand lurks in the future. BCTF president Jim Iker says his team has presented a salary “provision” without any actual numbers contained in it (huh?). The BCTF says the government’s opening offer of 6.5 per cent over five years is “unreasonable, unfair and provocative” even though other public sector unions seem fine with those kinds of numbers, having settled their own contracts recently. Given the BCTF’s oftquoted demand that its members be paid at a level equal to the top paid teachers in other provinces, I’m betting the union’s wage demand will be in the double-digits, and if it is it will be seen as coming from la-la land. But wage increases and bizarre strike votes aside,

the BCTF does hold the higher ground on the more serious issues of class size and class composition. The courts have ruled repeatedly in its favour, although the courts have also noted these issues are the subject of negotiations with the government. The B.C. Liberals have presented counter-arguments that even with current class size and composition averages, the graduation rates for all kinds of categories of students – including aboriginal and special needs – have increased considerably in the last decade. The government keeps referring to “average” class size and special needs numbers that seem relatively low, but they mask the fact that there can be many, many instances where the numbers are well above the average.

It is the teachers in those situations that I hear from the most, who describe such things as trying to teach chaotic Grade 4 classes with 30 nine-year-olds, many of them with serious but undiagnosed behaviour problems. Or an apprenticeship Math 10 class where half of the 29 students have an “individual education plan” because of behaviour or psychological issues. Or shop classes, where too many kids are working on dangerous or ancient equipment. Unfortunately, “The NeverEnding Story” does little to help them. The soap opera will just play on and on, with the two key players fumbling their way along, with no resolution in sight. Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter for Global B.C.

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A08 • Wednesday, March 5, 2014 • The Record

School district charging facility user fees BY NIKI HOPE REPORTER

nhope@royalcityrecord.com

The New Westminster school district’s ongoing money woes have the board looking at every possible way to drum up extra cash, including charging community groups that use school facilities. The board of education will charge for the after-hours use of schools, which is expected to bring an estimated $75,000 into the cash-strapped school district. “It would be lovely to be able to offer everything for free, but we are in a position where we need to be able to make sure that the facilities are used, and it’s revenue neutral for the district,” board of education chair Jonina Campbell said. “Neighbouring school districts have

The fees are based on a busibeen charging for years. So it’s ness plan that was developed nothing new to other school with a consulting firm, which districts, it’s just new to New analyzed what other districts West.” charge for the use of facilities The district has established and the after-hours costs of opera fee structure that’s based on a ating, Grant said. user group’s ability to pay and Groups related to the educahow closely the group is aligned tion of students won’t be charged with school district goals, said a fee, while other groups will Janet Grant, the district’s director be charged an hourly rate that of instruction. “So, obviously, when you talk Jonina Campbell ranges from $4 to $65 an hour, depending on the group and the about child and youth develop- board chair space the group uses (filming ment programs, like Girl Guides, and scouts and soccer groups, those are fees are significantly higher than these groups that we wanted to minimize the rates). “What we have now is a fee schedule fees for, and then work the scale up to more commercial and community-based that has four key categories, and what it means is that now user groups – some groups,” she explained.

user groups that in the past haven’t paid any fees at all – are going to paying at least something, even if it’s a nominal amount to help contribute to our operational costs,” said Grant, who doesn’t expect the district will loose users as a result of the fees, which would take effect July 1. The district also recently soft launched an online booking system, which Grant expects may help increase bookings. “It means community users will be able to go online and see which facilities are available at which cost, and they would be able to make a request online,” she said. “I think that by making the access to our facilities easier, we may get more rentals as a result of that.” Follow Niki on Twitter @nikimhope

Budget ‘trending positively’ for school district BY NIKI HOPE REPORTER

nhope@royalcityrecord.com

A budget update from the New Westminster school district indicates the district is on track with its finances for this school year, but it is still on the hook to pay back almost $5 million to the Ministry of Education. Staff presented a budget at the Feb. 25 school board meeting that shows the district is just $21,500 short on its $62-million dollar budget, but secretary-treasurer Al Balanuik told The Record the

books will balance when the district adds up the final numbers in the spring. “The amended annual budget was not a surprise to me,” Balanuik said. “We had projected conservatively. We expected additional revenue. We also expected additional expenses, and we budgeted accordingly.” This year’s budget doesn’t account for the funds the district must pay back to the province – the district is slated to start making payments on that debt next year.

As for this year, the district’s budget is trending “positively,” and Balanuik said he expects the budget will be balanced by the end of the school year. Balanuik and Sheldon Lee, the district’s director of business operations, went through the budget with trustees at last week’s meeting. During the presentation, trustees James Janzen and Michael Ewen questioned why teaching costs had gone up despite cutting 19.4 teachers. “Speaking as a trustee, it’s

To address questions, Lee went through it line by line, to help provide clarity on the budget, which ultimately passed with Ewen and Janzen voting in favour of first reading, but not the final reading of the amended budget bylaw. Ewen said he didn’t receive the amended budget with enough time before the vote. The board was required by law to pass the amended budget bylaw for this school year by the end of February. twitter.com/nikimhope

frustrating when you cut all of these people … it just leaves you with the inevitable conclusion that we are going to have to cut more people,” Janzen said. Balanuik said the cost escalation for teachers is due to incremental salary increases and category increases (when a teacher upgrades their skills they earn more pay). Trustees MaryAnn Mortenson and Casey Cook also questioned discrepancies between the projected budget and the amended budget.

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The Record • Wednesday, March 5, 2014 • A09

Bailey bridge closed for more urgent repair work BY JOHN KURUCZ REPORTER editorial@royalcity.com

Almost one year to the day since its last major closure, the bailey bridge linking New Westminster and Coquitlam is again closed due to structural defects. JimLowrie,NewWestminster’s director of engineering, said Tuesday that cracks were found on the underside of the bridge over the weekend.

The City of New West is now examining repair options, and Lowrie said the closure will likely last “at least a couple weeks.” Coquitlam has long lobbied for a four-lane crossing to replace the single lane bridge, which was originally built in the mid-1990s. New West, on the other hand, contends that none of the replacement plans to date are satisfactory for the city’s needs. “We’ve never tried to stop this from going ahead,” Mayor

ty concerns in the Braid Street/ United Boulevard corridor. But Stewart also points out that Coquitlam has undergone traffic disruptions for the last five years due to Port Mann/ Highway 1 construction and that his city has done its part for the betterment of the entire region. Built in 1994, the bridge sits within New Westminster’s municipal boundaries and was temporarily closed in 2003 by the City of New Westminster.

Wayne Wright said Tuesday. “But all of our numbers, all of our safety factors … have not been in the positive, from our position, for a double bridge. Having said that, we’re looking at it and we’re going to be making a decision that (won’t) be done for any other reason but to make it right for the future.” Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart acknowledges that a region-wide approach needs to be taken to alleviate traffic and safe-

But after the City of Coquitlam took the municipality to court, a judge ordered the bridge reopened. Part of the fallout from that decision was a change to the community charter that now calls for an arbitrator to intervene in cases of regional significance that cross jurisdictions. According to Stewart, an arbitrator has been chosen for the current dispute, though he couldn’t give timelines around a possible resolution.

Union speaks out about shortage of buses now, she’s got experience with what’s at stake with the referendum,” Woods said. “A lot of times when you get to a certain level of bureaucracy, you lose information. It doesn’t all travel up.” The New Westminsterbasedunionhasbeenraising the alarm over the shortage of buses with its campaign “More Buses Now,” which states Metro Vancouver is short 500 buses. Woods said the number probably now sits around 750. “I wanted to bring forward to her the volumes

BY STEFANIA SECCIA REPORTER sseccia@burnabynow.com

The local bus union president sat down with TransLink’s board chair to discuss cuts and the referendum on Monday. Nathan Woods, Canadian Autoworkers Local 111 president, said he wanted to introduce himself to Marcella Szel, TransLink’s new board chair, and address issues his union has been raising for many years. “She’s been on the TransLink board for years

and pass-ups, the shortage – where we are now with our current buses. I wanted to let her know the low morale of the workforce.” However, Woods said TransLink intends to follow through with more cuts “they see necessary to operate in the black.” “Right now, service cuts are happening through what they call optimization,” he noted. “But it affects riders too greatly, and it affects the quality of work for the transit operators. People are negatively impacted by refusals.”

Guilty verdict in RCH crash

A 29-year-old Surrey man was found guilty of several charges relating to an impaired driving incident two years ago. As previously reported by The Record, a truck crashed into the entrance of Royal Columbian Hospital at 1:35 a.m. on Sept. 9, 2012, causing thousands of dollars of damage to the facility. Through interviews with witnesses, investigators determined the driver of the vehicle had been driving the truck “erratically” down East Columbia Street before turning into the hospital parking lot and into

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the entrance of the hospital, all while maintaining his speed, according to a media release from the department. Surrey resident Ranjit Singh Sandhu was later charged with one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, one count of impaired driving, one count of mischief over $5,000 and one count of mischief that caused actual danger to life. “Sandhu’s actions were a complete disregard for human life and safety since many pedestrians were observed walking near the entrance of the hospital

prior to the vehicle crashing inside the hospital,” added the release. Last week, New Westminster police announced Sandhu was found guilty of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and mischief that caused actual danger to life. Earlier this month, Sandhu plead guilty to one count of impaired driving. – Cayley Dobie

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Woods said the optimization cuts have only increased violent incidents between drivers and passengers. He said assaults rose by 15 per cent last year, and it’s due in large part to scheduling conflicts, passups and trip denials. Woods said over the next year, they’ll be rallying support across the

province through communities and organizations to make sure a referendum will mean more funding for TransLink. “We’ll hopefully get groups screaming and yelling about the needs to increase funding,” he said. Szel did not respond to The Record’s questions by press deadline.

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The Record • Wednesday, March 5, 2014 • A11

◗ IN THE COMMUNITY

Buddy Holly raves on to help local seniors ◗P12 City bids farewell to former NWSS principal ◗P14

Canine cuties take a shot at stage stardom Doggie divas and performing pooches turned out in force for their chance to star on the Royal City Musical Theatre stage. The theatre company held auditions at the Queen’s Park bandshell on Saturday, March 1 to find a canine co-star for Julia MacLean – who holds the title role in the compaFor pix ny’s April production of Annie. and Julia was on hand to work video, with the doggie hopefuls and scan with their owners, and dogs of all Layar breeds were put through their paces to test out their friendliness, adaptability and ability to follow commands – and deal with the distractions of the spotlight. Photographer-videographer Jason Lang was on hand to check out the fun. See a video of the events online at www.royalcityrecord.com. At press time, a Sandy hadn’t yet been chosen – but Coco, Tia and Nike have made the final three. Annie will be onstage at the Massey Theatre April 10 to 26. Check out www.royalcitymusical theatre.com. Buy tickets at tickets.masseytheatre. com or call 604-521-5050.

Jason Lang/THE RECORD

Seeking Sandy: Actors Julia MacLean, who will be playing Annie, and Gavin LeClair, who’ll be appearing as Lieutenant Ward, work with Coco during doggie auditions at the Queen’s Park bandshell. Coco has made the ﬁnal three.

Choral music takes ﬂight Eric Whitacre’s Leonardo Dreams takes the spotlight at Amabilis Singers concert March 8 When Leonardo da Vinci dreamed of his flying machine, what did he dream? That musical question is answered in a piece that choral fans will want to discover in an upcoming Amabilis Singers concert. Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine, by superstar choral composer Eric Whitacre, is a highlight of the March 8 concert Of Heaven and Earth. The concert is taking place at New Westminster Christian Reformed Church, 8255 13th Ave., Burnaby, at 8 p.m. The choir, under the direction of Ramona Luengen, will pay “witness to the sacred wonders of the earth and the heavens,” says a press

release. “Discover how our world inspired the gifted pens of Austrian composer Gustav Mahler and America’s Morten Lauridsen,” the release says. “Hear the heartbreaking poetry of Sara Teasdale find voice in a stunningly beautiful setting by Frank Ticheli. And how did Leonardo da Vinci’s dreams of flying inspire choral superstar Eric Whitacre?” The concert will also feature the premiere of a new work by Luengen, based on the prayer of Padre Pio, an Italian Roman Catholic priest canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002. Tickets are $20, or free for children under 12. They’re available from choir members or at the door, or call 604-437-9200 to book in advance. The 55-voice choir, based in New Westminster, draws its members from around the Lower Mainland. For more, see www.amabilissingers.org.

File photo/THE RECORD

Choral sounds: The Amabilis Singers, seen here in a previous concert, perform Of Heaven and Earth on March 8.

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A12 • Wednesday, March 5, 2014 • The Record

Buddy raves on to help seniors Fundraiser at Starlight Casino March 12

BY JULIE MACLELLAN REPORTER jmaclellan@royalcityrecord.com

The performer who lit up the stage as Buddy Holly in the Arts Club Theatre production of Buddy is coming to New Westminster to serve up support for local seniors. Zachary Stevenson is headlining a fundraiser at Starlight Casino to raise money for the Seniors Services Society’s Meals on Wheels program. He’ll be onstage in the second annual fundraiser in the casino’s Gateway Grill on March 12. The event includes a threecourse dinner, the Buddy Holly show and the chance to win a vacation. “It is extremely exciting that Zachary has agreed to headline this year’s fundraiser for us,” said Kara-Leigh Bloch, executive director of the Seniors Services Society, in a press release. “He is dynamite on stage and does a wonderful rendition of Peggy Sue.” Stevenson has led eight productions of the Buddy Holly story around North America, and he was also named one of the top 10 talents to watch out for by The Vancouver Sun. Anna Truong, manager of resource development for the Seniors Services Society, saw

Stevenson onstage with the Arts Club production and, when his name came up as a possible entertainer for the fundraiser, she jumped at the chance. She noted that the show is in keeping with last year’s, when Darren Lee – rated the No. 1 Elvis impersonator in the world – performed for it. “Last year was a huge success,” Truong told The Record, noting the event raised $13,000 and sold out all 230 tickets. She said the group is expecting this year’s event to sell out again, and they’ve set their sights on raising $15,000. Truong said the society is happy to hold the fundraiser at Starlight Casino, which provides meals at cost for the Meals on Wheels program all year round. “Starlight Casino is such a huge partner,” she said. “They’re so supportive of the program.” The Meals on Wheels program provides hot, nutritious meals to seniors who cannot cook for themselves due to illness or disability. Meals cost $5 to $5.50 each and are delivered by volunteers five days a week, Monday to Friday. Among those who receives the meals is Wayne Smith, a 62-yearold who’s waiting for his disability benefits and who lives alone in a New Westminster apartment. “Since I started dialysis, I’ve been having a very difficult time cooking or getting around,” he

Larry Wright/THE RECORD

Good eats: Anna Truong of the Seniors Services Society with Wayne Smith, a Meals on Wheels client. The Seniors Services Society is holding a fundraiser at the Starlight Casino March 12 to help support the meal program. said in the release. Three times a week he takes the bus to Royal Columbian Hospital for his dialysis. Meals on Wheels, he said, has made a huge difference. “My dietitian at the hospital is very happy about these meals,” he said. “She did not want me going to the food bank.” Tickets for the fundraiser are still available, but Truong said

those who want to attend should buy in advance, as organizers are expecting it to sell out again. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the event starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.seniorsservicessociety. ca, by phone at 604-520-6621 or in person at the Seniors Services Society office at 750 Carnarvon St. www.twitter.com/juliemaclellan

Playing with poetry Need a kick-start to get writing poetry? The Royal City Literary Arts Society is introducing a new Wordplay group. “Wrap your mind around the writing prompts we provide,” says an invitation from the group. “Try your hand at generating some fabulous first drafts, and free your poetic heart!” Wordplay is a free monthly poetry-generating drop-in series that will run on the first Wednesday of each month in the backroom of the Heritage Grill, 447 Columbia St. Participants should bring their own writing tools and paper. And note, it’s not a critique group – it’s designed to be fun and get the words flowing. The first session is set for tonight (Wednesday, March 5) at 7 p.m. For more details, email secretary@rclas.com. w A reminder that the society’s Write On! contest is open until March 15. See www.rclas.com for all the details.

2ND ANNUAL MEALS ON WHEELS FUNDRAISER Featuring Zachary Stevenson as Buddy Holly Presented by: Seniors Services Society

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The Record • Wednesday, March 5, 2014 • A13

Former MLA supports NWSS scholarship AROUND TOWN

THERESA MCMANUS

awn Black continues to give back to the community in retirement. Friends and family organized a retirement party for Black last summer, after she decided not to run in the provincial election. The former MP and MLA for New Westminster suggested the retirement bash raise money for a scholarship at New Westminster Secondary School. “I thought I would be really happy if we got $10,000,” she said. “It is just short of $20,000.” Black will be awarding

the first $1,000 scholarship at this year’s graduation ceremonies in June. The scholarship will go to a graduating student at NWSS who is pursing post-secondary education, has in interest in social justice and equality issues, and may have a financial need. “This community has been so supportive of me over so many years,” she said. “It’s really nice to give something back in a more tangible way.” Black is grateful to all the people who attended her retirement party at La Perla Ballroom in July. Highlights included an appearance by Double Exposure (Bob Robertson and Linda Cullen) and a song by Black’s seven grandchildren. “It was a really wonderful evening,” she said. “It was a lot of fun.” Linda Asgeirsson, who

was Black’s constituency assistant, planned much of the event, dubbed Dawn’s Farewell Tribute. “It’s not difficult to sell lots of tickets and get generous bursary donations when someone as popular as Dawn is being recognized,” she said. “She wanted lots of laughs and celebration at her dinner, and Double Exposure and others certainly provided the laughs. And we were able to keep some of the dinner agenda a secret from her (no easy task) and surprise her. For example, a highlight was when her seven grandchildren came up to the stage and sang You Are Our Nana to the tune of You Are My Sunshine. Very cute and touching.” The Tiger Exhibit, a group of six music students at New Westminster Secondary School, performed jazz music at the

dinner: Charles Lie (drum and cymbals); Zander Skelton (bass); Hayden Goss (trumpet); Spencer Atherley (tenor sax); Tiger Zu (trombone); and Ivy Chao (piano). Black, a longtime New Westminster resident, noted that some people are continuing to contribute to the Dawn Black Bursary, and she will contribute in the years ahead as well. The Royal City Education Foundation is overseeing the fund.

make fast meals with fresh, whole ingredients. The free program takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Fridays from March 7 to April 11 at the Hospitality Project at 1111 Sixth Ave. Food Skills for Men aims to be a hands-on program that makes healthy eating, shopping and cooking easy, quick and fun. For more information and registration, contact Pat at 604-764-1358 or pdavison@ fsgv.ca.

Cooking for men

Educating girls

Men are invited to develop some handy skills to put to use in the kitchen. Family Services of Greater Vancouver is offering community kitchens for men, which features six sessions where they’ll learn to read food labels, take a grocery tour and eat well – all while they

An upcoming event is raising funds to help girls attend secondary school in Kenya and Tanzania. The Canadian Harambee Education Society is celebrating International Women’s Day with a fundraiser on Saturday, March 8 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The event, being held at the

Sapperton Pensioners Hall, features musical entertainment, a silent auction and refreshments, as well as a display of the society’s projects in Africa. Coun. Lorrie Williams founded the society in 1985 after returning to Canada from a trip to Africa, where she saw how much girls wanted to attend school but opportunities were restricted. Williams, a retired teacher, has received a number of honours for her work with the society and was featured in a CBC documentary, Educating Margaret. The fundraiser takes place at the Sapperton Pensioners’ Hall at 318 Keary St. Ticket are available at the door or by calling 778-565-561. Do you have an item for Around Town? Send ideas to Theresa, tmcmanus@royal cityrecord.com, or find her on Twitter, @TheresaMcManus.

Royal City Gogos holding gala art auction BY THERESA MCMANUS REPORTER tmcmanus@royalcityrecord.com

Good times and good causes are the name of the game at the Royal City Gogos gala this Friday. The group is hosting a gala art auction to highlight the resourceful and heroic roles of African grandmothers in the midst of the AIDS pandemic. Belle Puri, CBC reporter, will MC the event, which includes a live auction, cocktail reception and no-host bar. “This fabulous event will not only find a home for stunning works of art but will celebrate the solidarity of Canadian grandmothers and their African sisters,” said Delora Harper, co-coordinator of the Royal City Gogos. “The exhibit has travelled across Western Canada, and this auction is meant to be a farewell party for this stirring visual testament.” The auction is taking place on Friday, March 7 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Inn at the Quay, 900 Quayside Dr. The art is in varied media including metal and stone sculpture, paintings,

collage and textile art. “It’s going to be a fun event – and very profitable for our grannies,” Harper said. “It’s been over a year in the making – a lot of work by a lot of women.” The funds raised go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation, which partners with community-based organizations, run by and for grandmothers in Africa. While the event is nearly sold out, anyone interested in last-minute tickets can contact gogosartshow@ gmail.com to see if any tickets ($35) are available. Bidding for the 40 pieces of artwork has closed, but attendees will be able to bid on the art at the event. “There’s an actual live auction. Some of them will be based on the online bids,” Harper said. “It’s very exciting.” The Royal City Gogos launched a juried art exhibit at River Market in May 2013. Since that time, 14 grandmothers groups from Vancouver Island to Medicine Hat have hosted the art exhibit, with events surrounding the exhibit, raising $30,000 to date.

To view the gallery online, visit www.royalci tygogos.org/art-exhibitphoto-gallery.html. Janine Reid founded the Royal City Gogos in April 2009 to raise funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation in support of communitybased projects that work with African grandmothers and the children in their care. Gogo means grandmother in Zulu. Funds support a variety of projects in Africa including grief counselling, school fees and uniforms, seedlings and house construction, micro-credit loans and HIV education and testing.

Lewis, who served as Special Envoy for HIV/ AIDS in Africa for the United Nations from 2001 until 2006, is chair of the board of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. The Stephen Lewis Foundation launched the Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign in 2006. More information about the Stephen Lewis Foundation is available at www.stephenlewisfound ation.org. Details about the Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign can be found at www.grand motherscampaign.org.

Up for auction: Joy,

a textile piece by Pat Czuczor, is one of 40 works of art featured in a travelling exhibit organized by the Royal City Gogos. Contributed/ THE RECORD

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A14 • Wednesday, March 5, 2014 • The Record

Bidding farewell to former principal Bill Popowich had 35-year career in local school district BY NIKI HOPE REPORTER

nhope@royalcityrecord.com

Former New Westminster Secondary School principal and longtime youth athletic supporter Bill Popowich passed away on Feb. 11 from heart failure at age 83. Popowich worked in the New Westminster school district for

more than 35 years. He started his lengthy career as a teacher at the high school and rose up the ranks through the years. The Burnaby native also coached basketball at the high school during his tenure. “I actually had Bill as a biology teacher,” said longtime New Westminster school trustee Michael Ewen. “I was on the board that appointed Bill as principal to the secondary school. I think that Bill gave incredible service to the district. His service to students and athletics was

exceptional. He worked hard for students to make sure they got the supports and the help and the breaks that they needed.” Popowich earned many accolades for his years of service, including an induction into the Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame in the Builder category in 2010. He also had two trophies dedicated in his name in high school sports. Popowich was involved in helping organize basketball tournaments, which he did for more than 30 years.

end. Then we had to put He was a honorary him into palliative care life member of both for the last little bit,” the B.C. Secondary Wayne said. “Obviously, School Track and Field I cared a great deal about Association and the my father. I’m sad that it B.C. High School Soccer happened, but he also Association. was suffering.” After his passing, A celebration of life son Wayne Popowich was held on March 2, worried about his at the Riverway Golf mom, Gerry, to whom Course Clubhouse in Popowich was married Bill Popowich to for 54 years. NWSS principal Burnaby, where hundreds gathered to hon“I always worry about my mom. She tended to our Popowich. twitter.com/nikimhope him at home, almost until the

City offers a Safe Harbour

BY THERESA MCMANUS REPORTER tmcmanus@royalcityrecord.com

The City of New Westminster is seeking to support diversity and inclusion in the community. The city has joined the Safe Harbour: Respect for All program, which strives to ensure that civic facilities are committed to respectful, equitable treatment for anyone who walks in the door, including offering a temporary safe place for people facing discrimination or mistreatment. The program is supportive of a number of city policies, including the Respectful Workplace and Human Rights Policy, and responds to the changing demographics in the city. “We’re proud to participate in the Safe Harbour program and show that we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and welcoming community,” Mayor Wayne Wright said in a press release. “We want anyone who comes to New Westminster to feel welcome, regardless of their background.” In November 2013, managers and staff from various city facilities participated in 15 Safe Harbour: Respect for All workshops, which sought to create a deeper understanding of the depth of diversity in the community and the meaning of equitable treatment, and Wayne Wright to offer practical steps to create an mayor inclusive environment and take a stand against discrimination. The interactive workshops also aimed to increase awareness of the impacts of stereotyping, exclusion and discrimination. The City of New Westminster announced its participation in the Safe Harbour program on Feb. 17. The facilities participating in the program and displaying the Respect for All decal on their front windows are: New Westminster City Hall; Queensborough Community Centre; Centennial Community Centre; Canada Games Pool; Queen’s Park Arena; Queen’s Park Arenex; Moody Park Arena; Century House and the Youth Services Centre; and the parks, culture and recreation administration office. The workshop was organized by the City of New Westminster’s Human Resources Department and facilitated by trainers from South Vancouver Neighbourhood House, Burnaby Family Life, Burnaby Neighbourhood House and AMSSA, an affiliation of multicultural societies and service agencies of B.C., and funded by EmbraceBC, a provincial program aimed at promoting multiculturalism and ending racism. See www.safeharbour.ca for more information.

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The Record • Wednesday, March 5, 2014 • A15

◗ IN THE GAME

Douglas Royal wins silver at CCAA badminton nationals ◗P16 B.C. short track speed skating championships this weekend ◗P16

SECTION COORDINATOR Tom Berridge, 604-444-3022 • tberridge@royalcityrecord.com

Douglas women’s silver no surprise BY TOM BERRIDGE SPORTS EDITOR tberridge@royalcityrecord.com

Douglas College’s playoff dash for a provincial silver medal came as no surprise to interim basketball coach Courtney Gerwing. The fifth-place Royals made an impressive run to the final, knocking off regular season champion Vancouver Island University in the semifinals before settling for second place following a 69-52 loss to Quest University in the title game at Douglas on Saturday. Douglas began the final tentatively and it cost, despite a rally in the second quarter. “Youth and For inexperience more photos, played a part,” said Gerwing, scan who shared with Layar in three CIS national basketball championships with Simon Fraser University and was also an assistant coach for the Clan women the past two seasons. “We approached the first four minutes like we didn’t deserve to be there. But we fought through a lot of adversity this season, and we fought back in the second quarter and gave them a game. The silver medal is a phenomenal accomplishment for our team.” The Royals earned a playoff spot in the PacWest regular season, beating Langara to lock up fifth place. Douglas opened the provincials with an emphatic 82-58 upset over fourth-place Capilano University on Feb. 27. The Royals jumped out to a 4425 halftime lead and kept their feet on the gas pedal, adding another 26 points in the ensuring quarter. Nanaya Miki led the Royals with 21 points, five rebounds and one assist. “I think it was one of our better games, but we had been steadily improving,” Gerwing said regarding the team’s renewed emphasis on defence. In the semifinal, Douglas put

Larry Wright/THE RECORD

Reaching for it: Byrne Creek grad Andrea Eidsvik helped the Quest Kermodes women’s basketball team win the PacWest provincial title following a 69-52 win over host Douglas College on Saturday. up that stout defence to upset the league No. 1 Mariners 50-47 in overtime. “They showed that against VIU. We tried to make it a defensive battle,” said Gerwing. “Others were surprised, but I think because

we had made a steadily improved climb, there was more surprise outside our circle than inside it.” Trailing by five points with three minutes left to play, Chloe Kennedy hit a clutch three-pointer with just under two minutes

left on the clock. A minute later, Mackenzie Brenner sent the game into extra time with the gametying bucket. In OT, Kennedy took the ball down the court to score the gamewinning basket with only 16.3 seconds to play. Miki received her second player of the game honour, finishing the contest with 19 points, six rebounds and two assists. In the championship final, Adelia Paul and Miki helped Douglas regain its footing in the second quarter, shaving a doubledigit deficit to 28-24 at the interval. But the Kermodes, which had won all three regular season games against the Royals, outscored their hosts 27-13 in the third quarter to take control. Paul earned the Royals’ player of the game, registering seven points, five rebounds and seven assists. Kennedy posted a doubledouble in the final game, netting 15 points and 10 rebounds. Miki, who joined Kennedy on the PacWest all-tournament team, chipped in with 10 points and seven boards. New Westminster ’s Jetti Mclaughlin had five points and three boards for Douglas. Quest guard Andrea Eidsvik, a Byrne Creek Secondary grad, helped her cause with 11 points and four assists. On the men’s court, Douglas dropped its opening quarter-final 97-61 to Quest. Andrew Bacon was named the Royals’ player of the game with eight points, 11 rebounds and six assists. Quest went on to take the bronze medal with a 95-77 victory over Capilano University. STM grad Andrew Morris was the Capilano Blues player of the game with 18 points and six rebounds. Langara College won the men’s gold medal, downing league runner-up Vancouver Island 90-84.

Knights sweep B.C. mat banners

BY TOM BERRIDGE SPORTS EDITOR tberridge@royalcityrecord.com

The Knights came marching out of the B.C. high school wrestling championships with all three aggregate banners. St. Thomas More won its first-ever B.C. high school provincial wrestling banner, with 142 total points far outdistancing runnerup W.J. Mouat with 72 aggregate points. Alberni District was third overall with 53 points. STM also won the program’s first boys’ banner 69-53 over Mouat and the girls’ title 73-44 over Port Moody after year’s of placing runner-up. The beauty of it all was even though we had a lot of great performances, we could have had more,” said STM coach Doug Corbett. The Knights had three individual champions and placed seven wrestlers in the finals, including defending national champion Darthe Cappelan at 57 kilograms. Massimo Pozzolo topped the 66-kg division, where teammate Nathan Punzo also placed fourth. Nicole Depa won the lone girls’ individual title for STM, dominating at 57kg. Alina Mercado placed fourth in the weight class. Other top-six podium finishers for STM included ◗Wrestling Page 16

STM boys qualify second for AAA B.C.s BY TOM BERRIDGE SPORTS EDITOR tberridge@royalcityrecord.com

A slow first-quarter start surely cost the St. Thomas More Knights a shot at the AAA Lower Mainland high school boys’ basketball title. The Sir Charles Tupper Tigers rode a 20-9 opening quarter against the Knights all the way to 86-78 victory in the goldmedal final at the 3A Mainland championships at the Richmond Olympic Oval on Friday. STM chipped away at the lead, outscoring the Vancouver 3A champion Tigers in both the second and third quarters, but the cool hand of Tupper guard

Ron Ronquillo, nailing eight of his 10 straight free throws in the final minutes of the fourth quarter kept the charging Knights at bay. “We just wanted to win,” said Ronquillo, who led the Tigers with 32 points, including 12-for13 foul shots and three secondhalf three-pointers. “It’s the first time we’ve ever got here.” The win by Tupper avenged an earlier loss to STM in the semifinals at the Chancellor tournament back in January. Now the shoe could be on the other foot if the two teams meet up again at the provincials, said STM’s 6-3 forward Reese Morris. “We’ll just remember how it

felt in the dressing room after the game and come out strong against their team,” said Morris, who led the Knights with 34 points, including 30 in a turnaround second half. Trailing by 11 points heading into the second quarter, junior Knights guard Terrell Jana kept the deficit within reach, putting up 13 of his 15 first-quarter points in the second frame. Jana finished the game with 22 points. STM appeared to do its homework between halves, establishing its presence at the low post, while allowing Morris to score almost at will, tallying 17 in the ◗Basketball Page 16

Jason Lang/THE RECORD

All-stars: STM’s J.J. DesLauriers, No. 3 in white, and Reese Morris, No. 8 behind, were named all-stars at the 3A Mainlands.

A16 • Wednesday, March 5, 2014 • The Record

Basketball:

◗ BADMINTON

Royal wins silver at badminton nats

Canadian Colleges’ Athletic Association All-Canadian Kathleen Lougheed won a silver medal in badminton at the national championships. The first-year Douglas College Royal took second place at the Canadian college championships following a 21-17, 21-18 loss to Northern Alberta Institute of Technology student Yang Sun in the women’s singles final in Edmonton on Saturday. Lougheed, who took over as player/coach of the Douglas College badmin-

◗ continued from page 15

ton team midway through the season, advanced to the final with a three-set win over Ontario No. 2 Yan Zhou earlier in the day. Lougheed went 5-1 through the preliminary round robin. Her only loss was a similar 21-16, 21-16 defeat to Sun in Round 3 of the nationals. Lougheed’s secondplace medal was the ninth consecutive time a Douglas women made it to the finals at the nationals. RuiLin Huang won five straight singles titles for Douglas from 2009 to 2013.

Wrestling: The triple crown ◗ continued from page 15

runner-up Stefano Pozzolo at 38kg and bronze medallist Eric Bauer at 70kg. Kevin Marshall placed fourth at 90kg, Rafal Posypanko came fifth at 110kg and Daniel Alphonso was sixth at 45kg. On the girls’ mat, Caileen and Ciara Corbett both earned silver medals at 40 and 51kg, respectively. Livleen Sidhu also placed second at 64kg, while Anna Benevoli won bronze at 69kg. Meagan Chow and Taylor McIntosh placed fourth and fifth in their respective weight classes, rounding out the 17 STM wrestlers to make it onto the podium. “Last year, the best boys’ result was third, but to win everything – the triple crown – was amazing,” said Corbett. “It’s only been done once before, I think.”

Jason Lang/THE RECORD

At their best: St. Thomas More, in white, placed 14th at the B.C. high school junior girls’ basketball championships in Langley last week. The STM boys also ﬁnished out of the top 10 at the junior boys’ provincials.

Short track speed skate this weekend

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The Burnaby Haida Speed Skating Club will play host to the B.C. short track championships at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre this weekend. Racing starts at 8 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday and runs until 4:30 p.m. Placements for the Canada West championships are up for grabs. Admission is free.

third quarter and another 13 in the fourth. Kieran Janes got the deficit to within a single point with a three-point play with 3:35 left in the third quarter. But Tupper’s Saurav Acharya, who scored three of his team-high four threepointers in the third quarter, answered right back. In the fourth quarter, it was Ronquillo’s turn to thwart the Knights’ attempted comeback. The 5-7 point guard, playing with four fouls, opened the fourth quarter with two of the team’s nine treys and then was a cool 10-for-10 from the charity stripe to ensure the East Van school the win. “They wanted it more,” said Morris, who was selected to the all-tournament team along with teammate J.J. DesLauriers. “When we beat them at the Chancellor, they had that anger. “We know we have a berth, but we still know we can make it.” STM will open the upcoming B.C. AAA championships against Sam Robertson at the Langley Events Centre on March 12 at 10 a.m. tberridge@royalcityre cord.com

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