PENINSULA
NEWS
Established 1912
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Music helping music
Zone rage
Peninsula band performs by-donation concert to support high school music program, page A15
Angry residents react to Sidney council decision, page A8
Friday, June 15, 2012
The Cannery Building #205-2537 Beacon Avenue Sidney, B.C.
250-657-2200
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Housing gains traction Three councils to talk affordability at meeting next week Erin Cardone News staff
Christine van Reeuwyk/News staff
Kay Wyckham and Susan Simosko snack on some of the popular popcorn at Star Cinema, the local theatre they hope to help keep around.
Sister campaigns to save cinema Christine van Reeuwyk News staff
The Star Cinema is more than a movie theatre. It’s an experience in small town hospitality and a hub of the community, say those seeking to save the small Sidney venue. “It’s a very community minded theatre, thinking about the needs of people … how they can serve the community,” said Kay Wyckham, a volunteer ticket taker. “There
are people who come every week, this is their social time.” She’s among those advocating to keep the Star in business. Until recently, Sandy Oliver owned the small theatre on Third Street with her sister Carolyn Lewis. Lewis, 67, died May 24 after a battle with cancer. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations go toward the Canadian Cancer Society and the Save Star Cinema campaign.
“The Star is a community theatre and they’ve kept their prices low all these years and they do try to respond to the community,” said advocate Susan Simosko. “Right now we have to save the Star if we want it in our community. It serves as a cultural hub in our community. … If the place is falling apart and the rates are low, we need to give a little more.” PLEASE SEE: $200K needed, page A3
Managing the world’s most important investments: YOURS! We are proud to be a part of your community. National Bank Financial is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of National Bank of Canada which a public company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (NA: TSX).
When the Peninsula’s three municipal councils meet together Tuesday, they’ll discuss workforce housing, among other regional topics. It’s an issue gaining steam with a renewed push from the Peninsula’s biggest employers. “For quite some time local businesses have had difficulty recruiting new employees because of the cost [of living on the Peninsula],” said Ian Brown, managing director of Tower Premium Woodworking. He and a group of 12 other large employers west of the Pat Bay Highway formed a group to push for workforce housing on the Peninsula. “Now they’re additionally having trouble retaining existing workers because of activities such as Seaspan in Victoria harbour and growth in other areas starting to draw away their workers to lower cost of living parts of the south Island.” Since November’s municipal elections, the group has been far more active. It has written letters and made presentations to local councils, stating the growing need for attainable housing for the Peninsula’s workers. PLEASE SEE: Companies, councils, page A18
The Cannery Building #205-2537 Beacon Avenue Sidney, B.C.
250-657-2200