ALDERGROVE STAR STAR Your Hometown Community Newspaper for over 54 Years
| Thursday, April 19, 2012
Check our website daily for updates, breaking news and more: www.aldergrovestar.com
Time to Play Ball in Aldergrove! PAGE 13
Page 3: New soccer turf fields get funding
A ‘Century’ farmer gala
Get Growing for 100th Aldergrove Fair
By KURT LANGMANN Aldergrove Star
KURT LANGMANN PHOTO
Members of the Aldergrove Agricultural Association have published the centennial edition of the Fair Prize Book and encourage locals to pick copies up at Aldergrove outlets such as The Star or Library, look over the categories and pick your best entries for the competitions, July 20-21. From left are fair directors Robin Bandenieks, Patty Bennett, Karen Long, Catherine Simpson, Glenda Reid, and Dan and Charmaine Deyette.
The Aldergrove Fair is celebrating its hundredth anniversary this July and the Aldergrove Agricultural Association is working on making it a gala event. This year’s theme is “Country Carnival” and there will be plenty of activities and attractions geared to families, from the very young to the pioneers who have built this event up over the years. However, the emphasis remains on honouring our deep agricultural roots, with exhibits of produce, flowers, canning, crafts, photography, needlework, fine arts, hobbies and the like. The AAA committee has published and distributed this year’s Prize Book, with full details on how everyone can compete in the various categories, and they encourage locals to pick up copies and put together their own entries in the fair exhibits. There are no entry fees charged for any class, and all prizes are ribbons only. Exhibitors are allowed one entry per class. Entry forms must be received by July 14 for competition in the fair, July 20-21. Copies of the Prize Book are available at the Aldergrove Library, Aldergrove Star and other locations in the community. Be sure to pick one up and think about showing off your best work at this year’s “Aldergrove Century Fair.” Information on the fair is also on the website: www.aldergrovefairdays.com
Sledge hammer aimed at old Aldergrove Mall By NATASHA JONES Black Press
A plan to demolish Aldergrove Mall, leaving the two anchor stores intact, will leave a gaping hole “that’s going to look like a hockey player in the playoffs without their front teeth,” Councillor Charlie Fox remarked on Monday. Council members were taken aback by a letter from the owners announcing the plan. In the letter, Sonny Janda of the Janda Group seeks the support of the mayor, council and staff for a demolition permit for certain areas of the mall, which is located north of Fraser Highway at 272 Street. Dollarama, the east-end anchor, and
a drug store on the south side, will likely survive the wrecker’s ball, if a demolition for the balance of the shopping centre is approved. Many stores are empty. Janda said that over the past few years, the company has explored many opportunities “including participating in the Aldergrove Planning Committee to gain exposure from the community and experts.” An obstacle to achieving its goal is the current tenancy status of the mall, he added. The area destined to be torn down is subject to structural, electrical, mechanic and civil elements, he said. “It’s a pretty exciting opportunity for Aldergrove,” commented Councillor Kim
Richter. But Fox said he had significant concerns, calling the area between the anchor stores “a wasteland.” “This is a massive piece of the core,” Fox said, adding that no demolition permit should be issued until council has seen development plans. The company said that it wants to retain the Extra Foods store, the west-end anchor first occupied by Super Valu, “as a heritage unit.” “You’re not protecting a heritage building there,” remarked Councillor Bob Long. Council asked staff to follow up with the mall owners.
HARRY HUNT PHOTO
Aldergrove Mall owners have applied for a demolition permit on the vacant portion of the almost 40 year old enclosed mall on 272 Street.
Open a new CHOICE REWARDS MasterCard between April 1 and May 31, 2012 at Aldergrove Credit Union and you could Live Like a Star and win a $5,000 trip to Hollywood!* Use your CHOICE REWARDS points towards travel, hotels and merchandise! Contact your local Aldergrove Credit Union branch to apply today or visit us online at www.aldergrovecu.ca for more details and to apply online. *See complete contest rules and regulations for details.