GRANT GIVEN TO FVHS Council gave the shelter a fee for service grant
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FIRE TRUCK DAMAGED
Mission’s 100-foot aerial caught fire Saturday
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS PAGE 4
Mission children’s artwork displayed
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COUNTDOWN TO THE
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63 Friday, December 20, 2013
SERVING MISSION SINCE 1908
District purchases property downtown Mayor wants university at former Buy Low building site Carol Aun MISSION RECORD
The District of Mission has purchased nearly a block of property in downtown Mission with the goal of attracting a university to the area and stimulating growth. Mission purchased 7337 Welton St. – the former BuyLow building – for $1.95 million and will take possession at the end of January. Mayor Ted Adlem made the announcement at the Chamber of Commerce Christmas luncheon Thursday afternoon. Adlem said he has had several discussions with University of the Fraser Valley administrators about relocating, but noted the move is also subject to approval from the provincial government. Regardless of whether UFV leaves its current facility at Heritage Park Centre, the newly acquired district property on Welton will still be used as a cultural, educational or civic facility, as outlined in the district’s Down-
town Action Plan. Currently, the Fraser Valley Child Development Centre is located there, but most of the property is used as a pay parking lot. “I’m excited about this,” said Adlem prior to the announcement. “Our current council unanimously said we’re going to generate a great plan for the redevelopment of downtown, and then we’ll move forward. This is our commitment. We’re serious.” Adlem, who hopes the investment will also bring in developers, said he would like to see a three-way partnership between a university, the district and a developer to create a building that would also house commercial and residential units. No tax revenue would be generated for the district if the facility only accommodated a school, he explained. The purchase fulfills one of the 10 big moves identified by district planners as a catalyst for change downtown.
Singing for a cause The annual Christmas at the Clarke took place Wednesday night, featuring performances from Sweeet, Emily Harder, and headliner, Kenny Hess (left), who also performed with his daughter, Kate. The event, now in its 13th year, raises money for the Mission Christmas Bureau and the Women’s Resource Society of the Fraser Valley. BOB FRIESEN PHOTO
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from the Symon’s Family! Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season. We look forward to serving you in the New Year.