Hockeystarsraisebigbucksforhospital

KYLE BALZER

kbalzer@tricitynews.com

Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation’s (ERHF) recent 2023 golf and concert fundraiser was filled with “irony” both on and off the course.

More than $264,000 was raised for programs, services and medical equipment from the Ryan and Lucas Johansen Charity Golf Classic and “Night in Nashville” country music event

A Port Moody teen’s ironic story of healing was arguably the highlight of the week, as explained in her testimony she presented in front of hundreds of residents and community leaders at Inlet Theatre.

Hartley Renard, 13-year-old daughter of Port Moody police officer Fraser Renard, was the first-ever patient in the trauma ward of ERH’s new emergency department after breaking her leg during a practice with her Tri-City Titans softball team

The incident took place a week after B.C. politicians officially opened the $37.5-million upgraded facility

Ironically, Renard’s injury happened the same day as last year’s Charity Golf Classic, and her parents were participating in the tournament at Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club.

“To add to the irony, while my mom was waiting for the doctor, she received a notification that she had won an item at the ERHF silent action,” Renard said

“There has been ups and downs however,

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I believe it’s made me better in so many different ways I am thankful for Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation as it has helped so many people in the Tri-Cities and I hope through sharing my experience you can see first hand how your contributions in events like tonight can truly make a difference for everyone in our community”

She added she’s also friends with Ryan, who helped organize the events, bringing Nashvillebased country artists Eric Van Houten and Heath Warren

However, three weeks later, the soon-to-be 31-year-old NHL forward was traded from the Nashville Predators to the Colorado Avalanche

Amid all that irony, the ERHF believed Renard’s story and her bond with Ryan had a lasting impact this year’s donors for improved healthcare in the Tri-Cities

The Johansen brothers agreed “We have been incred- ibly fortunate to have grown up in the Tri-Cities, surrounded by supportive friends, family, and a tightknit community Giving back is our way of expressing gratitude and showing our appreciation for all the opportunities and love we have received here,” Ryan shared.

“Seeing the positive ripple effect of our chari- table endeavours is truly inspiring,” added Lucas, a defenceman in the Washington Capitals’ system

“Each act of giving has the power to transform lives, bring hope, and strengthen our community.”

A sold-out crowd of 160 golfers teed it up at Westwood Plateau for the annual friendly-competition fundraiser among dozens of volunteers

MARIO BARTEL mbartel@tricitynews.com

Port Moody may be about to get tougher on fireworks.

Last Tuesday (July 18), council’s governance and legislation committee directed staff to report back with possible amendments to the city’s bylaws governing the sale and use of fireworks to “essentially ban” them It would also bring the city in line with most of its surrounding communities

Currently, consumer fireworks are allowed to be sold in Port Moody in the week leading up to Halloween and they’re only supposed to be lit on Halloween night.

According to a report by Port Moody Fire Chief Darcy O’Riordan, the city is one of only two municipalities in Metro Vancouver that still permit the sale and use of consumer fireworks; the other is West Vancouver, while the District of North Vancouver voted to look at a ban earlier this week.

Consumer sale and use of fireworks are banned in Coquitlam, Vancouver, North Vancouver, Richmond, North Delta

Surrey, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and Langley while Port Coquitlam, Burnaby and New Westminster prohibit sales of fireworks but sill allow their use.

O’Riordan said “widespread contraventions, community complaints and increasing hazard levels” are prompting the request for tighter rules. He said common complaints leading up to Halloween include:

• fireworks being discharged outside permissible hours

• excessive noise

• fear and anxiety for household pets

• litter and debris left behind

• fire damage caused by fireworks

• poor air quality And with climate change extending periods when fire dangers are rated high, O’Riordan said a ban makes sense

“Banning the sales and requiring a permit for consumer firework use can help to protect individuals, the environment and communities from the potential dangers and negative effects associated with their use.”

Councillor Kyla Knowles said she’s gobsmacked Port Moody still allows fireworks

“This is one of those things we’ll look back on in 25 years and can’t believe there weren’t restrictions,” she said. “A lot of our residents have been asking for this.”

Mayor Meghan Lahti said tighter restrictions would bring peace to Port Moody’s animals, but it might wreak havoc for the city’s police force if officers have to respond to complaints about illegal displays.

But Port Moody’s chief constable Dave Fleugel told council that shouldn’t be a problem.

“If we don’t have sales, we won’t have a lot of people using fireworks”

O’Riordan said the impact on businesses and fireworks’ afficianados would be minimal

In his report he said the city issued three licenses to businesses selling fireworks last year and between 2018 and 2021 only an average of 10 people voluntarily registered consumer fireworks plans with Port Moody Fire Rescue.

O’Riordan said the changes wouldn’t affect fireworks used in public displays or by certified technicians in pyrotechnics and special effects He said such instances would still require a permit with requirements like:

• having at least two operators in charge, with at least one holding a valid fireworks supervisor certificate

• providing at least two approved fire extinguishers within the area where the fireworks are being discharged

• discharging the fireworks at least 60 metres from the nearest building or transportation corridor or 15 metres from the nearest telephone pole, tree or other obstruction

• obtaining approval of a site plan by PMFR

• securing comprehensive insurance coverage

DIANE STRANDBERG dstrandberg@tricitynews.com

Looking for an affordable new home without the cost of construction?

A company specializing in house moving is making sure perfectly good homes go to new owners instead of being torn down.

In Coquitlam, five homes are being saved by moving them instead of knocking them down including a massive house with eight bedrooms.

The 637 Aspen St. residence is so big, it’s being partially taken apart before it is relocated.

Nickel Bros., with offices in Port Coquitlam, is taking on the challenge of moving the five houses for Foster Living, which needs to free up the space for 49 townhomes, called The Grove, at the corner of

Foster Avenue and Aspen Street in Burquitlam.

For developers, moving homes on properties slated for re-development is a way to reduce the environmental cost of demolition and construction

Foster Living’s Chris Yen said moving the five homes is a huge under- taking.

He said it took months to arrange, but is better than tearing them down.

“You move a house to reduce carbon and reduce landfill waste, it aligns with our company values,” said Yen, who lives in