THURSDAY September 5, 2013 Vol. 28 • No. 72 ••• $1.25 inc. G.S.T.
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Award-winning performer Farima Berenji bringing sacred dance to Abbey Studio in Cumberland page B1
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Comox fitness studio voted best in B.C.
Only public fitness centre to make the top four list for Vancouver Island
Pinks are back in big numbers Erin Haluschak
Scott Stanfield
Record Staff
Record Staff
The Comox Community Centre fitness studio was selected tops in the fitness category for Vancouver Island in BC’s Best People’s Choice Awards, an online competition by BC Living magazine. The studio beat out first runner-up VI Fitness, which has various locations throughout the Island, and second runner-up Goodlife Fitness in Victoria. It was the only public fitness centre in the top four for Vancouver Island. “It was really nice and everyone’s proud,” said Mandy Johns, Comox Recreation’s manager of recreation services. The 5,000-plus square foot studio — which opened in the spring of 2011 — contains a variety of Precor and Stak equipment. Several flatscreen TVs adorn the walls. Patrons appreciate the roominess, the cleanliness of the facility, the layout of equipment, and the space between machines and cardio equipment. Earlier this year, the fitness studio won top workout facility honours in HQ Comox Valley’s online competition. Along with the facility itself, customers also commented on the friendliness of staff members. “The facility is great but really without good staff this award wouldn’t have happened,” said Comox Mayor Paul Ives, a regular user of the studio.
CELEBRATING THE COMOX Community Centre’s People’s Choice Award are (left to right) Comox Mayor Paul Ives, fitness attendant Glenn Hascarl, marketing/accounting manager Krystal Stevens, manager of recreation services Mandy Johns and recreation director Jim Stevenson. PHOTO BY SCOTT STANFIELD
Fitness is a tough thing because you can start it, ❝ but unless there’s people there to help you and guide
you on the way, you might not continue with it. I know personally the staff here have kept me going.
❞
Comox Mayor Paul Ives “Fitness is a tough thing because you can start it, but unless there’s people there to help you and guide you on the way, you might not continue with it. I know personally the staff here have kept me going.”
Since the new facility opened, recreation director Jim Stevenson said there has been a “huge increase in the number of young people.” That said, the clientele includes plenty of seniors. Stevenson noted a man in his 90s
named George, who until a few months ago was bench pressing about 225 pounds. Ives noted the variety of programming at the fitness centre, which also features an 800-square-foot spin and TRX (Total Body Resistance Exercise) annex. “I think one of the keys is the type of equipment we brought in,” Stevenson said. “The size of the facility has certainly been a big plus…What people really like is the fact that it’s not (over... see FACILITY ■ A2
Although it’s only the first few days of September, it’s looking like a good start to fall for fisherman in the Comox Valley. Bryce Gillard, field supervisor for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, said due to high returns of pink salmon, DFO has opened • Coho return, page A5 retention of two pinks in the Puntledge and Courtenay rivers. “Earlier in the week, the Puntledge hatchery staff identified high returns of close to 30,000 pinks,” he noted. The opening for pink salmon began Aug. 31 for fish over 30 cm, and will continue until Dec. 31. Gillard said there could be a variety of factors which contribute to the high return. “We’ve maintained a high standard. We make sure we don’t overharvest and (the pinks) have had a high survival rate in the wild.” In addition to the pinks, a chum retention fishery is anticipated for Oct. 1 until Nov. 20. The daily limit of chum salmon is planned at two in the same rivers. There is no retention of chinook or coho. Anglers are reminded the areas on the Puntledge River which are closed to salmon fishing are from the weir at the lower hatchery to fishing boundary signs approximately 75 m downstream of the weir and between fishing boundary signs located 100 m upstream and downstream of the confluence with Morrison Creek.
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