Talking issues Election candidates discuss a host of topics at meeting. Page 10 Food Matters Grassroots actions show resilience in food production. Page 15 Plenty of play Nanaimo’s numerous parks a magnet of fun for family. Page S
Home opener Page 22
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SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2013
NANAIMO
VOL. 25, NO. 5
Anti-vandalism program works Initiatives reduce district costs, allow for school beautification By Jenn McgaRRIgle The NewS BULLeTiN
CHRIS BUSH/THe NewS BUlleTIN
Happy trails
Tara Fedosoff, city recreation coordinator, left, Allen Henderson, Slowspokes volunteer, Deborah Beck, Bike to Work Week coordinator and Megan Lum, recreation coordinator are rolling out cycling events leading up to Bike to Work Week starting with a 10-kilometre community ride Tuesday (May 14). For more on Bike to Work Week, please see page 6.
Snuneymuxw, hotelier sign waterfront agreement By CHRIS BUSH The NewS BULLeTiN
Snuneymuxw First Nation and Waterfront Holdings Ltd. announced an agreement to collaborate on current and future waterfront development on Stewart Avenue. The agreement, signed at The Grand Hotel Wednesday, is the first in Nanaimo focused on waterfront development and highlights how
Snuneymuxw and local businesses can collaborate on projects that benefit all parties and the community. The Sirri family, which owns and operates The Grand in north Nanaimo, and Snuneymuxw First Nation have built a relationship over the past 15 years and are working together to gentrify and rejuvenate the property at 1000 Stewart Ave. – the site of the former Moby Dick Hotel – and to enhance
the future use of Newcastle Island that respects and reflects the Snuneymuxw and its interests. The Moby Dick Hotel was purchased by Waterfront Holdings, a business development division of the Sirri family, and is in its early stages of metamorphosis into The Waterfront Suites and Marina, a marine resort under development by Odai Sirri, company director of business development. u See ‘FUTURE /4
Students at two Nanaimo secondary schools are working on school beautification projects, thanks to money from the district’s anti-vandalism committee. John Barsby and Dover Bay secondary schools have each received money to go forward with projects aimed at reducing vandalism costs. Earlier this year, the committee asked for $4,000 to spend on student-driven anti-vandalism initiatives in each of the district’s secondary schools. Sharon Welch, committee chairwoman, said only two schools applied and committee members decided to divide up the money between these schools. John Barsby is receiving $1,000 this year to replace some old recycling bins that were attracting a lot of mess, she said. “They’re just going on the theory that when the surroundings are kept up, people are less likely to vandalize them,” said Welch. The committee also decided to give the school $500 toward a vertical garden project, also part of the school’s beautification efforts, with the promise of another $500 if students are able to secure matching community donations. At Dover Bay, a group of students want to take out a bay of lockers at the school and create an art space there, with a mural and possibly sculptures made out of materials recycled from the lockers, said Welch. School officials told the committee that negative things were being written on the lockers in that area and that this would provide a positive, creative space for students, she said. The committee gave the school $1,000, with the promise of $1,000 more for future art projects when students present the results of their endeavours to trustees in the fall. u See ‘COMMITTEE’S /5
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