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February 1 2013 www.newwestnewsleader.com
Bob Marjanovich may just be one of the most charitable sports guys around. See Page a12
Board shaves deficit down Reduces shortfall from $2.2m to $342,000 Grant Granger
ggranger@newwestnewsleader.com
MarIO barTeL/NeWSLeaDer
Renée Chadwick, facility manager at the Queensborough Community Centre, checks out the new fitness room with its expansive windows. The centre is undergoing a major renovation and expansion that is expected to be completed by the spring.
Expanded ’boro hub taking shape Community centre set to open in the spring Grant Granger
ggranger@newwestnewsleader.com
Hard-hatted workers with tool belts criss-cross the Queensborough Community Centre expansion construction site. Wires hang from open ceiling panels dangling along the stark white unpainted drywall down to bare concrete floors. While there’s still much work to be done, Harry Buchholz has an air of excited anticipation about him and a spring in his step as a media tour
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makes its way around the facility. It’s been almost eight years since the community floated the expansion idea, and Buchholz, who was on an advisory task force for the project from the beginning, can see the finish line through the mess, even though its completion is about four months away. “I’m just about jumping out of my skin with excitement,” says Buchholz. “I’m visual, and I see it in my mind. We’re this close and I’m tasting it.” The new centre will not only expand the programs, activities
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and services it has offered in the past, but will house a community police office and the first satellite branch of the city’s public library. It will also be a place where Queensborough residents can pay their taxes, utility bills and pick up dog licences. In addition, facility manager Renée Chadwick says the centre will be New Westminster’s first early childhood education hub, anchored by an 1,800-square-foot child care facility that can accommodate 25 children. “For many people this is a second
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home and we really wanted to capture that in the process,” says Chadwick. “This is going to be one-stop shopping for Queensborough.” The 13,500-square-foot expansion will be built to LEED Gold standards, which means it will have optimal energy efficient mechanical systems and much of the wood is from previously used regional products. The natural light that pierces into many of the centre’s spaces from the numerous windows will also reduce energy costs. please see CeNTre’S, a3
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The New Westminster school district has shaved its anticipated deficit for 2012-13 from $2.2 million to $342,000, with the remaining shortfall expected to be covered by revenue believed to be on the way. It’s the first of two major hurdles facing the board—the next big step will be to address last year’s deficit of $2.8 million. On Tuesday, the board of education approved several steps toward reducing the first challenge, and the trustees did it without including the potential sale of a Queensborough property the district owns. The land has been contentious among trustees. In his original proposal to reduce the deficit, superintendent John Woudzia suggested the sale could produce $450,000 for the district. But Tuesday, the board decided discussion about the property should be behind closed doors to protect any possible future negotiations. please see NexT, a9