TUESDAY JULY 16, 2013
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BCYCNA
Gold 2012 General Excellence
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Competitors worked feverishly to get their creations ready for the judges
A31
A5
ISLAND RAIL
Keeping the faith ICF boss still believes service will return JOHN HARDING editor@pqbnews.com
Graham Bruce remains undeterred. The CEO of the Island Corridor Foundation (ICF) says he is not phased by comments from some who are questioning everything about the possible re-start of passenger rail service from Victoria to Courtenay. “It’s taken way longer than what I had hoped for — I have developed a greater level of patience,” Bruce said last week. “My confidence level is still there.” Bruce said discussions continue involving the ICF, VIA Rail and Southern Rail. He said the best-case scenario sees Parksville Qualicum Beach people once again boarding a train in their communities in May of 2014. On July 8, Qualicum Beach town council put its skepticism to a vote, calling on the Regional District of Nanaimo to explore uses for the corridor other than rail. “They can pass whatever motions they like,” Bruce said in response. “This is nothing new for the town of Qualicum. We’re focussed on completing what was started. There are those who believe there’s an opportunity for rail on Vancouver Island and there are those who don’t. Those who wish to chirp away, carry on.” Bruce admits to the process of working through the details on passenger rail service with both VIA and Southern being “somewhat frustrating.” He points to the rebuilt Nanaimo station (“one of the nicest heritage buildings on Vancouver Island”) as evidence the ICF has a “track record of success.”
JOHN HARDING PHOTO
The father and daughter team of Guy and Melineige Beauregard of Quebec won the doubles competition for their creation called Cute Power at the Quality Foods Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Competition. The sculptures will be on display in Parksville Community Park until Aug. 18.
QUALITY FOODS CANADIAN OPEN SAND SCULPTING COMPETITION AND EXHIBITION
Winlaw pro wins fifth title JOHN HARDING
editor@pqbnews.com
More than 10,000 people viewed the sculptors work in less than two days at Community Park and in the end, a familiar face took home the top prize. For the fifth time in the six years he has participated in the Quality Foods Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Competition, Peter Vogelar of Winlaw, B.C. is the solo champion with his Frog Prince creation (all of the sandcastles are on display in the park until Aug. 18). “I actually did put a bit of preparation in, trying some
drawings, just little things that added together to make a good piece,” said Vogelar, a professional sand sculptor who earned a spot in the world championships with the victory on Sunday. Also earning a spot at the worlds Sunday was the father/ daughter team of Guy and Melineige Beauregard of Quebec for their Cute Power creation. When posing for photos with their winning sculpture, the fun-loving pair was asked which one of them was crazier. Guy pointed at his daughter. “Well, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, now does it,” quipped Melineige.
See BRUCE DENIES, page A9
See CASTLES, page A3
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