ALDERGROVE S STAR STAR T
Your Hometown Community Newspaper for over 55 Years Your our Hometown Newspaper forand over 55www.aldergrovestar.com Years Check website outCommunity daily for updates, breaking news more:
| Thursday, March 28, 2013 | Thursday, March 28, 2013
Keep It Clean, Keep It Clean, Aldergrove! PAGE 3 Aldergrove!
Check our website daily for updates, breaking news and more: www.aldergrovestar.com
Page 3:3:Legion Queen’s Medals Page Legionreceives receives Queen’s Medals Hockey ‘Friends’ Show Spirit
PAGE 3
Gloucester development regaining ‘lost ground’ By KURT LANGMANN Aldergrove Star
New development at Gloucester Industrial Estates has been slow since the global economic meltdown of 2008. However, the 700-acre planned industrial community has recovered most of the tenancies that were lost and is starting to show signs of new development interest. “In the last three or four months there has been a clear pick-up of interest in new lots,” said spokesman Dave Gormley, the Vice President of Land Development at Beedie Development Group. “There were a lot of vacant spaces since 2008 but these have filled back in as a number of companies changed, and now there is more interest in the available lots.” Gloucester’s development is currently standing about 80 per cent, with about 75 to 80 acres remaining for new development. Prices range from about $700,000 to $800,000 per acre for a fully serviced lot. There are also 10 to 15 acres inside the Gloucester official community plan area that are owned by other parties. Gormley noted that Beedie is not involved in an application by another group which is seeking to expand industrial development on adjacent properties on the Abbotsford side of the municipal boundaries. Beedie has opened up new lands alongside 272 Street, north to 60 Avenue, and there are six new lots currently available there on a culde-sac. Benjamin Moore Paint became the first occu-
pant of a building in Gloucester in 1991 and the most recent new facility is the Mazda Canada Parts and Distribution Centre that opened in January 2012. The biggest company there is the EV Logistics distribution centre, which employs close to 700 workers at two major buildings. Gormley said Gloucester’s current employment figures are not known but there were about 3,000 jobs in an estimate several years ago. Projected employment at build-out is estimated at about 6,000. According to the Langley Township Economic Development department, Gloucester’s total building inventory is 6.6 million square feet, which is comparable to the Northwest Langley industrial park. Since the latter is fully developed, Gloucester will surpass it in size when Gloucester is fully developed. The Aldergrove, Carvolth, Willowbrook and other industrial areas in the Township are under 1 million square feet, each. Gloucester is a significant contributor to municipal taxes too. Township financial officer Hilary Tasaki says Gloucester contributes about $7 million in taxes annually to the Township, which is about eight per cent of the Township’s annual $91.7 million in tax revenues. “Gloucester and Campbell Heights are competing with each other right now, and it has been slower here than in Burnaby and New Westminster, but we hope to see one or two new starts at Gloucester this year,” said Gormley.
Liquor theft suspect sought Aldergrove Star
HARRY HUNT PHOTO
The face of true Canadian spirit at the 13th Peewee International Friendship Ice Hockey Tournament, hosted by Aldergrove, March 15-24. The tournament was won by the Japanese city of Hachinohe’s White Bear team, but all 400 participants of the dozen teams from six countries felt like winners. Hachinohe received major damage from the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami but as key organizers of this tournament since its start the spirit of friendly international competition has helped give them the spirit for revival and rebuilding after this natural disaster. See page 5.
Langley RCMP is seeking the assistance of the public to identify a person of interest in a shoplifting investigation. On Friday, March 15 just after noon, police were called to the Aldergrove Liquor Store after a male stole three bottles of Bacardi Gold Rum by hiding them in his pants and jacket. The male left the store and fled eastbound on foot. He was last seen headed eastbound on
Fraser Highway. The male is described as approximately 45 years old with brown hair, 6’0” tall, wearing a blue checkered jacket and blue jeans. Police are asking the public to study the photograph. If you can assist police with this investigation, call Langley RCMP at 604532-3200. Should you need to remain anonymous, call CrimeStoppers: Video image of suspect 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
SERVING YOUR GLASS NEEDS SINCE 1977 • FULLY LICENSED AND INSURED WE SPECIALIZE IN: • ICBC and Private Insurance Glass Claims • Stone Chip Repairs • Glass • Windshields Replaced or Repaired • Fireplace Glass & much more - SAME DAY SERVICE
ONE COMPLIMENTARY STONE CHIP REPAIR WITH EVERY WINDSHIELD!
604.856.6550 • www.a1glass.ca
Owner, Brock Chapman
VISIT OUR SHOWROOM: 3060-275A Street, Aldergrove
We offer Courtesy Cars or Pick-up and Delivery.