THE FRIDAY
DEC. 27, 2013
CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2012
TRI-CITY NEWS
www.tricitynews.com
CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2012
What to expect in 2014
Pickell’s big breakout
SEE FACE TO FACE, PAGE 11
SEE SPORTS, PAGE 19
INSIDE
Letters/14 Books Plus/15 Community Calendar/17 Sports/19
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Coquitlam’s Widgeon Marsh Regional Park Reserve, which is now larger than Stanley Park, is home to a variety of rare and endangered species.
Metro buys Widgeon wilderness for $2.2M ‘Magnificent addition’ to parks By Diane Strandberg THE TRI-CITY NEWS
CRAIG HODGE/SUBMITTED PHOTO
A blaze rages as it destroys a house under construction on Glenbrook Street near David Avenue in northeast Coquitlam. A neighbouring house also under construction was singed but saved. Coquitlam Coun. Craig Hodge, a former News photographer who lives on Burke Mountain, took this photo.
Cause of blaze that destroyed house may be suspicious By Gary McKenna THE TRI-CITY NEWS
A fire that burned down a half-built home on Glenbrook Street in northeast Coquitlam Friday night is being treated as suspicious. Fire Chief Wade Pierlot said there are un-
confirmed reports from residents in the area that several people were seen running from the structure shortly after the blaze broke out. “We can only draw conclusions at this point,” he said. “It is suspicious and that is about all we can say. But there is
nothing that confirms it.” The home was under construction and Pierlot confirmed that there was no electrical service going to the building. Fire investigators have not been able to determine conclusively what caused the fire but the chief noted that there
was no evidence accelerants were used. Without any drywall to slow the flames, it did not take long for the building to be fully engulfed and firefighters could only work to contain the blaze. It took two engines, a ladder truck and a
rescue truck to fight the fire, which singed a neighbouring building that was also under construction. “It was a quick knockdown,” Assistant Chief Scott Mackenzie said. “It was pretty spectacular but that’s about it.” gmckenna@tricitynews.com
A hidden gem of marshland and forest on the Pitt River waterfront in Coquitlam has been purchased for $2.2 million and could one day be opened up to picnickers and hikers. Before Christmas, Metro Vancouver Parks announced the acquisition of eight hectares to extend the Widgeon Marsh Regional Park Reserve, which is now larger than Stanley Park and home to a variety of rare and endan-
gered species. “It’s a beautiful area up there, it’s going to be a magnificent addition to the Metro Vancouver parks system,” said Elaine Golds, a director of the Burke Mountain Naturalists, which puts up nest boxes for birds in areas south of the reserve. The valuable property is located in the Widgeon Valley in an area north of Minnekhada Regional Park. Among the species that make their home there are the green heron, western screech and short-eared owls, red-legged frog and the painted turtle. see NEW WIDGEON, page 6
2014 recycle changes in each of the 3 cities By Diane Strandberg THE TRI-CITY NEWS
Recycling changes are coming for Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody residents in 2014 but some cities will see
more changes than others when Multi-Material BC takes over responsibility for packaging materials like plastic, cans and bottles. see GLASS AN ISSUE, page 4