3
GREENHOUSE GAS TRIAL BALLOON LEAKS
page
6
WEDNESDAY
DECEMBER 4 2013 www.newwestnewsleader.com
CONCERNS ABOUT COPP’S FIRE SITE
page
20
as
page
Christm
NWSS GRAPPLES WITH BUDGET CUTS
It’s time to celebrate some of the Joy of the Christmas season. See Page A9
INSI
DE:
• FIN DIN DURI G TIME N HOLI G THE DAYS • DO S AN D DON ’TS OF HOLI DAY SHO PPIN G • HO LIDA Y MEN PLA NNIN U G FO FIRS R T-TI ME HOST S
New master plan for Larco land To have three towers instead of five, and include hotel Grant Granger
ggranger@newwestnewsleader.com
MARIO BARTEL/NEWSLEADER
Renée Nixdorf says she and her 5-month-old daughter Zophia have benefited tremendously from the Baby Talk program through Fraser Health and the City of New Westminster.
Despite fears, Baby Talk to continue Participants were told popular program being axed by Fraser Health Grant Granger
ggranger@newwestnewsleader.com
All the talk about Baby Talk being cancelled appears to have been premature. At least for now. Fraser Health said despite fears from participants, the popular program for new parents in New Westminster will continue into the new year. That’s a relief to Renée Nixdorf,
mother of five-month-old Zophia and campaigner for the program’s retention. Nixdorf and fellow Baby Talkers had been told by the public health nurse who runs the program Wednesday afternoons at the Centennial Community Centre (CCC) that her boss had said it would not be continuing. So they started a campaign to tell Fraser Health how important the program was to New Westminster. The program features speakers on a variety of topics concerning new parents, and has helped many build
a support network as they navigate their new role. “It’s very helpful to not only hear the experts, but the other mothers,” said Nixdorf. CCC programmer Ramona Manzer said a typical Baby Talk session brings out between 30 to 35 parents. It’s so big Manzer has had to move it from one of the centre’s meeting rooms into the gymnasium to accommodate all the babies, parents and their paraphernalia. “I do know we have numerous parents upset this is being
cancelled,” said Manzer last week. On Friday, however, Fraser Health spokeswoman Nasifa Abdullah said Baby Talk will continue into the winter session and speakers are already being booked. She said, at this time, there has not been any region-wide decision to change the service. “It is definitely good news,” said Nixdorf on Monday. “I hope they’re not just going to do the winter session and skip spring and summer. That’s definitely what I’m worried about.” twitter.com/lonegrangerbnw
Experience Our Retirement Community MEDICAL CLINIC
NEW CLINIC Open: 9am - 9pm Everyday
NEAR PHARMASAVE AT COLUMBIA SQUARE
140-1005 Columbia St
604 553 4667
columbiasquareclinic.com
Call today for more details and a personalized tour!
604-527-3323
HARMONY COURT ESTATE 7197 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC (at Edmonds)
New Westminster and Larco Investments have come up with a new master plan for developing its waterfront site. It’s been nearly two decades since Larco’s property located between the Fraser River Discovery Centre and Westminster Pier Park was first rezoned. Today, it’s a parking lot, and the last piece of land on the river in New West zoned for high density. Previous plans called for five towers, with above-grade parking, but with nothing happening the city went to Larco seeking more dynamic plans to improve the connection between the waterfront and Downtown, have better sightlines and still be economically viable for Larco. The latest master plan revealed in a report to city council Monday calls for more open space, three towers instead of five to maintain sightlines, two acres of dedicated park connecting to Westminster Pier Park, and an extended waterfront esplanade. Please see PARK, A3