THURSDAYDECEMBER 26, 2013
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Today we look at the news and events from April-June, 2013
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Cougar on the prowl Officials close provincial park as a precaution CANDACE WU news@pqbnews.com
Englishman River Falls Provincial Park is closed until Friday at the earliest after three cougar encounters Conservation Officer Steve Ackles called “highly unusual.” “It’s more of a precaution,” said Ackles of the park closure which began the morning of Sunday, Dec. 21. According to Ackles, the first sighting was reported Dec. 17 at approximately 1:30 p.m. “A resident was out walking his dog when he noticed he was being followed by a cougar,” he said. “The cougar followed him across the lower bridge, and when he went into the outhouse the cougar circled it once, maybe twice and then moved on.” The second encounter was reported approximately an hour later, said Ackles. “Two individuals were walking a dog and had an encounter with a cougar on the other side of the park,” he explained. “The individuals said the cougar’s primary focus was on their dogs.” On Dec. 20 at approximately 3:15 p.m., Ackles said he received another report, this time from a mountain biker riding the Hammerfest trails with his dog, located just 400 metres from Englishman River Falls Park. “The biker described a similar experience, saying the cougar was more focused on his dog,” said Ackles. “More than likely, it was the same cougar in all three instances.” Although Ackles maintains the cougar showed no aggression towards the people, he said the animal’s behavior was still atypical. See TRAP SET, page A3
LISSA ALEXANDER PHOTO
RETURNING FROM SANTA’S CABIN: David Hildebrandt and Megan Edgeley lead the ponies at Tiger Lily Farm back from Santa’s cabin to the farm house on Saturday.
NEW FIRE HALL SITE IN QUALICUM BEACH
Parkland revelation ‘not an issue’ JOHN HARDING
editor@pqbnews.com
Qualicum Beach town council has awarded a grubbing contract for the new fire hall despite concerns being raised by residents about parkland on the site near the roundabout. At a special meeting Dec. 18, council awarded the site clearing, grubbing and grading contract to Locar Industries Ltd. for $157,893.75. The minutes of the meeting suggest council discussed the fact about one-third of the site is designated as parkland, deeded to the town as part of a subdivision deal years ago. De-
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spite numerous discussions at council meetings, open houses and information meetings related to the fire hall, the issue of the parkland hadn’t been openly discussed. “Staff explained that a portion of the new fire hall site is designated as parkland, and that it has always been a part of the workplan to reconfigure or relocate this portion of park,” said the portion of the minutes released by the town last week. “There are two ways that the parkland can be amended by a municipality, and town is proceeding with the process so that it is
finished before construction begins.” Last week, Qualicum Beach resident Tony Wilde wrote The NEWS to express his parkland-related concerns about the site for the new $6 million fire hall. “There’s a lot of wildlife in there,” wrote Wilde. “It’s not just a piece of scrubland. (The new fire hall) is in the wrong location.” After the story broke in the Dec. 19 edition of The NEWS, Coun. Dave Willie said the project won’t be derailed or delayed by the parkland debate. See NEXT COUNCIL, page A5
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