WEDNESDAY
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December 19, 2012 Vol. 27•No. 101 ••• $1.25 inc. H.S.T.
Popped Art show happening at Muir Gallery in Courtenay. page 14
The Comox Valley Glacier Kings regained their winning form during the weekend. page 27
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Hospital moving closer to reality Record Staff
VANCOUVER ISLAND RESIDENTS live here to escape this sort of thing, but winter caught up to us Sunday. PHOTO BY CTV VANCOUVER ISLAND
Winter pleases some, complicates travel Erin Haluschak Record Staff
It’s truly beginning to look a lot like Christmas thanks to snowfall throughout the Comox Valley Sunday night through Monday morning, with a small chance of the white stuff sticking around for the big day. Environment Canada reports its weather station at the Comox Valley Airport received 21.8 millimetres of precipitation Sunday, although no records were set. The Valley did fall short of the extreme daily snowfall of 59.7 centimetres, which happened Dec. 21, 1967. Even though there was a chill in the air, the temperature was nowhere near the -21.1C — the coldest day on
record — which happened on Jan. 31, 1950. Thanks to the temperature dipping just below freezing — -0.6C — snow blanketed the Valley, causing kids big and small to pull out the toboggans or have a snowball fight, but also caused some tricky situations for those trying to get around. Fred Bigelow, CEO of the Comox Valley Airport, said four flights were directly affected by the weather, with a WestJet flight diverted to Victoria (passengers were bused to Comox) and three others either cancelled or grounded. Bigelow explained although planes can and do land in the snow, there needs to be a certain co-efficient of friction, and when
the runways are wet or contaminated with snow, it makes landing and takeoffs more difficult. “It’s similar to driving a car in the snow,” he said. “(Delays are) all part of the realities of travelling in the wintertime in Canada.” Emergency personnel were busy both Sunday night and Monday morning, and accidents were reported throughout the region. “Drivers have to adjust their speed relative to the conditions,” said Const. Nicole Hall of the Comox Valley RCMP, who added police responded to at least half a dozen accidents Monday morning and at least three in the same location on bridges in the Valley Sunday night.
She noted drivers have to be responsible for their vehicles by ensuring proper treads and tires, and making sure to clean their windshields of snow before driving. “If you’re not comfortable driving, call a cab, call a friend, carpool or take a bus,” she said and urged all drivers — including those in trucks and 4x4s — to slow down and exercise patience. “A 4x4 slides on ice just as much as a little car; you can still go into a ditch,” Hall added. With the heavy, wet snow falling, around 1,700 BC Hydro customers in the Valley were without power, confirmed Ted Olynyk, community relations ... see SCHOOLS ■ 2
The new Comox Valley hospital is one more step closer to reality as Courtenay council approved the purchase agreement for its land slated for the project. Courtenay expects to receive nearly $900,000 ($8.67 per square foot) for the 2.37-acre property at 95 Lerwick Rd. near Ryan Road, which is currently used as a playing field. The final purchase price will be established when the subdivision plan is completed. The City plans to use the funds from the land sale towards new or improved playing field space elsewhere in the Comox Valley. According to a staff report from City director of legislative services John Ward, approval of the purchase agreement is the City’s last step to dispose of the property to the Vancouver Island Health Authority. Meanwhile, North Island College is moving along with its plans to sell VIHA an 11.17-acre portion of its campus on Lerwick Road between the City-owned land and the Comox Valley Aquatic Centre. Now that the rezoning has been approved by the City, “The college anticipates proceeding in the new year with requesting approval from the provincial government for the disposal of the land,” according to college director of community relations Susan Auchterlonie.
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