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Laugh, dance and sing in 2016 PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS
Big bucks boom in Tri-Cities JANIS WARREN The Tri-CiTy News
If you owned a house in a top Tri-City neighbourhood last year, chances are you were making about $12,000 a month on your investment. That’s the result of a searing hot real estate market in Metro Vancouver, where there’s a dwindling supply of single-family homes (SFH). According to BC Assessment, which this week mailed out its notices, the value of detached houses shot up significantly over the past year. Take these examples provided by the authority: • a central Coquitlam SFH, built in the 1980s, is now worth $1 million (up 17%); • a Westwood Plateau SFH, built in 1992, is now valued at $1,021,000 (up 20%); • a Citadel Heights SFH, built in the 1990s, is now assessed at $805,000 (up 14%); • a Heritage Mountain SFH, built in 1997, is now
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INSIDE: Saving Riverview trees [pg. 3] / Coquitlam Star Wars connection [pg. 18]
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 6, 2016 Your community. Your stories.
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PLUG PULLED ON POMO PLUNGE
Tri-City’s top valued homes: see page 7 worth $1.3 million (up 17%); • and a North shore SFH, built in the 1970s, is now valued at $1,019,000 (up 17%). BC Assessment’s Jason Grant said the Vancouver suburbs — where there’s some land left — are where urbanites want to put down their roots. And he doesn’t expect the market to cool down next year, with interest rates being low and older neighbourhoods rejuvenating. Burke Mountain, the largest greenfield in Metro, is also booming with development, as are areas where the Evergreen Line will soon push through. see ASSESSMENT, page 7
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ROBERT MCDONALD PHOTO
A boat left on the launching ramp at Rocky Point pier in Port Moody prompted cancellation of the annual New Year’s Day Penguin Plunge and, now, PoMo’s mayor says the city will likely be on the hook for the costs of removing the craft. For more, see article on page 9.
EARTHQUAKES
Timely emergency prep classes GARY MCKENNA
The Tri-CiTy News
The earthquake that rattled southwest B.C. last week was only a minor tremor but the city of Coquitlam wants residents to be prepared if any larger shakeups hit the region.
An emergency preparedness session is being held at city hall this month covering topics ranging from typical earthquake damage and hazards to assembling emergency supplies. The workshop will also cover family communication and reunification, with explanations on how
residents can protect themselves at home or work. The session will be held in council chambers (3000 Guildford Way) on Wednesday, Jan. 20, between 7 and 9 p.m. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and participants can register at signmeup.coquitlam.ca.
Port Coquitlam will also be holding emergency preparedness courses this winter and spring, with the focus on teaching residents how to survive for at least 72 hours after a major disaster.
see COQUITLAM, page 4
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Community Emergency Preparedness Seminars
H E R O S PROGRAM The City of Coquitlam is offering FREE emergency preparedness seminars to help residents and businesses become better prepared for a major emergency. REGISTER NOW for seminars online at coquitlam.ca/emergtraining CityofCoquitlam
PERSONAL, FAMILY & COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS This session uses an earthquake scenario to help you become better prepared at home. Date: Wednesday Jan. 20 Time: 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., doors will open at 6 p.m. Location: Coquitlam City Hall, 3000 Guildford Way, Council chambers Cost: FREE