Talking points City unveils plan to improve communication with public. PAGE 7 Selling out Lotto for Life nearing goal to raise money for hospital. PAGE 14 Stones versus Beatles Battle of the tribute bands at the Port. PAGE 3
Title win PAGE B1
WE
BUY
GOLD AND FINE JEWELLERY Y
www.nanaimobulletin.com
THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013
VOL. 24, NO. 132
Upgrades underway at Harewood park
Residents take back neighbourhood
I
BARN DEMOLITION removes ties to agricultural past. BY TOBY GORMAN THE NEWS BULLETIN
Block Watch program proves successful for Uplands area
“
S
Quality & Service at Budget Prices Wisec Wisecrack e racck ck O Off T Th The he Week he Week
closer than they appear.
A revitalization project that will give Harewood residents a new recreational destination will also see the community lose part of its agricultural heritage. In 2010, the city hosted an improvement planning process for Harewood Centennial Park in an effort to improve the tennis, lacrosse and basketball facilities and determine what the community desired to draw more people to the location. The public responded by requesting an e x p a n d e d p l ay ground and water park, improving the trails system lighting, and washrooms, and installing some public art. While all of those requests will be met over the next several months at a cost of about $600,000 – some existing facilities won’t receive renovations until 2015 – the plan also requires the demolition of the historical Dickinson Barn, an aging south end building that symbolizes the community’s agricultural roots. Built in 1910, the barn originally served as one of the area’s
largest dairy farms, supplying Harewood residents with milk, butter and cheese. It was denied heritage status a few years ago because of its state of disrepair. Preparations began earlier this week to tear the barn down, which will provide another 2.4 usable hectares slated for a playground, improved access to the park from Howard Street and a drop-off area. Jeff Ritchie, Nanaimo’s senior manager for parks and civic facilities, said the focus of the upgrades will remain on the park’s recreational needs, but a nod will be given to the past. “We recognize the historical aspect of the barn but it’s been used as the city’s works yard for storage for the last 40 years,” said Ritchie. “It’s not really even safe anymore. There will be a new trail system through there with interpretive signage to recognize some of that history, we’re not casting it aside. We appreciate the historical significance but the structure is way past its time.” Christine Meutzner, manager at the Nanaimo Community Archives, said it’s unfortunate the barn has to be destroyed, but it opens up an opportunity to educate people on the community once known as Five Acres. ◆ See ‘SIGNAGE’ /6
We’re not casting it aside.
BY CHRIS BUSH THE NEWS BULLETIN
ometimes it takes just a little action and a bit of leadership to make life better. Susanne Andrey, Block Watch captain, and her sister and co-captain Nancy Coburn, finally took action after watching a problem worsen for more than a year near their homes at the end of Villa Road, off Uplands Drive. The problem was Morris Lane, a 30-metre long foot path connecting Villa Road and Morris Place. An overgrown laurel hedge formed a canopy over the path, trees, shrubs and blackberry bushes blocked streetlight illumination and sight lines down the pathway and concrete crash barriers served as handy benches. ◆ See ‘PROGRAM’ /4
P: 250.585.1648 3392 Norwell Drive
Susanne Andrey, Block Watch Chapter 42 captain, stands near her neighbour’s fence bordering Morris Lane, a footpath connecting Villa Road and Morris Place in north Nanaimo. CHRIS BUSH/THE NEWS BULLETIN
ll a w e h t n o r o r r i M Mirror lass has them all. G t e g d u B 3900 ISLAND HWY. N.
❘ 250.758.3374
❘
No need to go to ICBC, come directly to us!
www.budgetglass.com