Bound for TWU page 26
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Feel the Pulse page 24
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Metro rejects revival of speedway in park Stock car racing fans haven’t given up all hope after defeat JEFF NAGEL Black Press
to watch.” And the third lasting memory was walking through the Walnut Grove Secondary gym — which hosted the closing ceremonies and an athletes’ dance on Saturday night — as the competitors danced away to the music. “I saw athletes of every shape and description and I was stuck with this thought, this picture,” he said. “Every painter has a palette with colours that you use and as I looked at this group of people, I was stuck with that I had a complete glimpse of God’s full complete palette. I was quite taken with that.” More than 1,100 athletes from around the province and the Yukon, 300 coaches and 1,200 volunteers took part in the Games.
Metro Vancouver directors have rejected a proposal to let stock cars race once again at a long-closed speedway in Campbell Valley Regional Park. Metro’s environment and parks committee voted 8-3 Thursday to halt further study of the idea after passionate presentations from defenders of the park. Most committee members agreed racing would be an incompatible use at odds with the enjoyment of tranquil nature and the use of the area by horse riders. Most also said the proposal faced multiple high hurdles, including potential reviews over fishery or environmental risks and needed approval from the Agricultural Land Commission. “From my perspective, the challenges are just too great,” said Langley Township Coun. Bob Long. Richmond Coun. Harold Steves said it would inappropriately alter the long-standing theme of nature and equestrian use at Campbell Valley. The society proposed racing at a restored speedway on a maximum of 14 days a year, with the facility acting as a multi-purpose venue for concerts and other events as well – potentially becoming a money maker for the Metro parks department. “People say it will be the ruination of the park,” said Langley City Coun. Gayle Martin, one of three directors who wanted more study on the racing option. “It’s two per cent of the park, one per cent of the time.” Abbotsford Mayor Bruce Banman and North Vancouver District Coun. Mike Little also voted against the motion to reject the speedway.
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Paul and Ann Lengyell for Special Olympics BC
Power lifter James Nikal of Prince George was among the 1,100 athletes from across B.C. who competed July 12 and 13, as Langley hosted the Special Olympics BC Summer Games. See page 25 for more photos.
Special memories made Special Olympics BC Summer Games offer glimpse of ‘God’s complete palette’ GARY AHUJA Times Reporter
There were three lasting memories from the Special Olympics BC Summer Games that will stick with Arne Olson for quite some time. One came before the Games began, one during and one after. Olson was chair of the Games, which ran July 11 to 13 in Langley. Olson saw a Special Olympics athlete — a man in his 40s — and he was standing on a sidewalk, staring off. “I realized later he was missing the people who had dropped him off,” Olson said. “I saw someone come up to him, a coach, turn, look him full in the face, touch his shoulder and gently — as if he were a piece of fine bone china — and say ‘Kenny, come on, come join
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us, we want you here with us.’ “He took him so carefully and kindly, and with respect, back in to join the team,” Olson said. “I thought that is all you can really ask of an organization, to treat people like that. I was so struck with that.” The second was during the rhythmic gymnastics competition. “I saw competitor after competitor absolutely giving it their complete and utter best,” he described. “I saw one woman who had a metal brace extending below her knee. And how you do rhythmic gymnastics with a metal brace on, I have no idea. “The courage with which these athletes competed, not just in that event, but in every event, there is no limit to the try that these athletes have. It is just full on, full throttle, raw competition and it was just a remarkable thing
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