The good life: Program powering up aging Cowichan brains page A17 On stage: Swan Lake dancers fly through minute of utter silence page B6 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
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Son charged after dad shot with an arrow Attempted murder? Violent incident stuns neighbourhood on a quiet Sunday evening in Maple Bay Peter W. Rusland
News Leader Pictorial
A Peter W. Rusland
Former 2008 North American Indigenous Games boss Rick Brant led the celebration at the Cowichan Aquatic Centre Friday as a large crowd turned out to witness the province announcement Cowichan had been awarded the 2018 B.C. Summer Games.
Cowichan awarded 2018 B.C. Games Get ready: Fans touting benefits for youth and business Peter W. Rusland
News Leader Pictorial
W
hat was perhaps Cowichan’s worst-kept secret was let out of the duffel bag with Friday morning’s announcement: B.C.’s 2018 Summer Games will be hosted by the valley. After a blessing by Cowichan Tribes’ elder Albie Charlie, the good news was delivered by Parksville’s Liberal MLA Ron Cantelon to a packed Cowichan Aquatic Centre foyer. Both men, and other of¿cials, touted bene¿ts for local youths competing in the games. “Youths give us purpose in life, and pride,”
Charlie said. “It all begins here,” said Cantelon, noting the games’ potential economic spin-offs. “Get ready Cowichan.” Provincial taxpayers will provide some $600,000 toward the July games, while Cowichan Valley Regional District taxpayers will kick in $45,000 in cash and $50,000 in kind. Local of¿cials estimate the four-day games will pump about $2.6 million into the local economy through rentals, hotels, retail purchases, bistros and much more. But beyond bucks, the games’ real legacy will likely be life lessons taught to youths preparing for, and sharing in, the games, explained local Olympic freestyle skier Dr. Tanya ClarkeYoung. “This will be a training ground,” she said of local kids who may qualify for the Olympics after gaining games experience. “Better to learn here than at the Olympics.”
An amped Clarke-Young also talked of using the mind to envision and reach goals. “I always set little goals to get to the bigger goals,” she said, stressing “sticktoitiveness to keep going. These skills are transferable.” Cowichan school superintendent Joe Rhodes also touted local teamwork. “No one succeeds alone.” Regional Chairman Rob Hutchins agreed, noting Cowichan’s “culture, exceptional environment, and hospitality” await players, families, fans, and of¿cials to the games he called “a gift to the Cowichan region.” The games legacy was estimated by North Cowichan’s parks and recreation manager Ernie Mansueti to hit about $200,000. That purse will help fund registrations, through KidSport Cowichan, for local athletes. “We don’t want any kid not to play sports because of monetary reasons,” Mansueti said. more on A6
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Maple Bay man is in critical condition in Victoria hospital after being shot in the chest with an arrow. His adult son is in custody, facing a charge of attempted murder. Marvin Antoniuk Jr., 48, has been charged with the attempted murder of his father, Marvin Sr., after an incident Sunday near Maple Bay, police say. Antoniuk was arrested on scene that night, appeared before a justice of the peace, and has been remanded into custody on the attempted-murder charge. His next scheduled court appearance is set for tomorrow. Antoniuk Sr., in his 70s, was hit by an arrow in the chest at about 7 p.m. at the 1658 Maple Bay Road residence, RCMP Cpl. Jon Stuart said. “He’s still in (Victoria General) hospital, and still in critical condition.” Investigation continues into how and why the arrow was ¿red. The home is listed as the home of Marvin Antoniuk, but it’s not yet clear which one, or if both men are residents. “There are several people living there,” Stuart said. Identi¿cation-squad members, in white hazardsuits, combed for clues in and around the wooded property behind yellow police tape Monday. One said there was no indication of any archery shooting range in the yard. “I hope it was accidental,” neighbour Leah Flagg said after the News Leader Pictorial knocked on her door Monday. She described her neighbourhood as quiet and the residents of the crime scene as quiet people who seemed to enjoy working in the yard. She was unaware of commotion or problems on the property. Stuart said archery injuries “aren’t a common occurrence” in his 17 years as a cop. Cowichan Bowman Archery Club veteran Eric Walker agreed. more on A6
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