Vision 2012: A 100-year look at Cowichan then and now Special Section News: CVRD says ‘No’ to Shawnigan watershed soil dumping page 10 For all the news of the Cowichan region as it happens, plus stories from around British Columbia, go to our website www.cowichannewsleader.com Your news leader since 1905
Friday, August 3, 2012
Cowichan connection Änds silver London lining
Cyclist airlifted from Duncan in critical condition
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cyclist was airlifted to Victoria General Hospital with critical injuries following a collision with a truck Thursday morning in Duncan. The 20-year-old cyclist, travelling along Moor¿eld Road toward Lane, was not wearing a helmet at the time of the incident. The cyclist was hit by a Chevy pick-up truck that had the right of the way, according to North Cowichan-Duncan RCMP Cpl. Chris Swain. “From what witnesses are telling us, the bike didn’t stop,’’ he said. The driver of the truck was not injured. The cyclist was transported to Cowichan District Hospital by ambulance and then on to Victoria by helicopter. Names are not being released and further information was unavailable at press time.
Don Bodger
News Leader Pictorial
B Andrew Leong
Paramedics attend to a motorcyclist who was struck at the intersection of Tzouhalem Road and Cowichan Bay Road at about 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Updates on the man’s condition, or the circumstances of the crash were unavailable at press time.
Taxpayers could step up to save Cowichan Sportsplex DeÄcit buster: CVRD considering funding facility on a guaranteed annual basis Don Bodger
News Leader Pictorial
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he president of the Chester¿eld Sports Society is hopeful a proposal put forward by the Cowichan Valley Regional District will alleviate the Cowichan Sportsplex’s funding crisis. “I would say at this moment, we’re guardedly-optimistic,’’ said Don McClintock. The CVRD will be conducting a poll of
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member municipalities and electoral areas to determine an annual ¿nancial contribution service of $146,000 in 2013 to fund the Sportsplex. The society has been seeking a long-term solution for its funding (see related story, page 7). “It will resolve the budget problems that have gradually arisen here,’’ said McClintock. But the CVRD is only one part of the puzzle,’ he added. “We’ve also got the Municipality of North Cowichan, our other major funder.’’ The society will be discussing matters with the City of Duncan next Tuesday. School District 79 has already stepped up to the plate, according to McClintock, by increasing its funding allocation by $5,000.
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The Sportsplex has been receiving a grant-in-aid each year from the CVRD. The annual contribution service would eliminate the need for the society to make continual grant requests and give it more certainty. “By doing it every year, it’s subject to a lot of discussion each year at budget time,’’ said Joe Barry, the CVRD’s manager of legislative services. “It’s moving it away from a regional grant in-aid to a budget line item.’’ The cost per $100,000 assessment to fund the Sportsplex is currently 64 cents. The proposal would increase the amount to 94 cents. That’s assuming all 13 jurisdictions participate in the proposed service. “If four say not today, that cost will increase,’’ said Barry. “I can’t tell the four municipal councils
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exactly how much it’s going to cost until I know who’s in. That’s why we have to do a poll. “Based on what I get back, we will draft a bylaw.’’ Time is already of the essence for the pieces to fall into place for 2013. “We do need to go to the public,’’ said Barry. “There is a public approval process for this that is required.’’ The CVRD would be looking at adopting a bylaw in January or February of 2013 toward a March deadline. “I don’t have a lot of room if the process is delayed,’’ said Barry. “If everybody is to say yes, this is doable (for 2013). That’s if the public says yes as well.’’ more on page 7
rentwood College pride is reÀected in the lustre of Canada’s ¿rst non-bronze medal of the 2012 London Olympics. Malcolm Howard, a 2001 Brentwood graduate, served as captain of the men’s eight rowing crew that surged past the British in the late stages and claimed a silver medal behind the powerful Germans Wednesday. Howard was one of just three holdovers on the crew that won gold in Beijing in 2008 with Andrew Byrnes and coxswain Brian Price. The young crew started the Olympics with a disappointing result in the heats, but executed a great tactical race in the ¿nal. “It was not losing the gold medal, it was winning the silver medal,’’ said current Brentwood Head of Rowing Brian Carr about the ecstatic reaction of the crew members after the race. “These young guys put in a phenomenal performance.’’ Howard was front and centre again with his teammates Thursday, watching the Canadian women’s eight follow suit with a silver medal in its race. “He met Prince Harry (Thursday) morning,’’ said Carr. “The men’s eight watched the race at Canada House.’’ Ad that’s where Prince Harry just happened to show up for a visit. more on page 10
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