TUESDAY JANUARY 28, 2014
Official newspaper of the Save-On-Foods Oceanside Generals
www.pqbnews.com
BCYCNA
Gold 2012 General Excellence
TEST YOUR C02 LEVELS
SCHOOL OF ROCK COMES TO COOMBS
A31
A14
Youth Band Project aimed to teach young musicians how to be successful
QuitNow program boosted by free carbon monoxide test
REPORT SUGGESTS . . .
4 schools to close Elementaries in Parksville, Qualicum, Coombs on block LISSA ALEXANDER reporter@pqbnews.com
School District 69 administration staff is recommending the closure of Parksville Elementary, Qualicum Beach Elementary, Winchelsea Elementary and French Creek Community School in Coombs. The recommended plan would eliminate middle schools in the district altogether and instead run Kindergarten through Grade 7 at remaining elementary and middle schools and Grade 8 through 12 at both high schools, Kwalikum Secondary School and Ballenas Secondary School. The draft recommendation was presented to trustees and the public Thursday evening by the Superintendent of Schools Rollie Koop and Secretary Treasurer Erica Bailey. If the recommendations are given the green light by trustees tonight at the regular board meeting (7 p.m., Parksville city council chambers), a 90-day public consultation period will start. The earliest a motion would be passed to act on the recommendations would be April 29 and changes could occur in the district by September 2014, although district staff said Thursday that would be tight. The plan would save an estimated $1,230,000 annually and gain 19 per cent in facility utilization. Currently, the district is facing a $3.6 million budget deficit over the next five years, a substantial underutilization of district schools, and a declining enrolment that isn’t expected to reverse for at least 10 years. Members of the public were allowed to pose questions at the Thursday night meeting but not give comments. Anna Sjoo’s children currently go to Qualicum Beach Elementary School and she said it’s important to retain that school which is the heart of the community. See QBES, page A7
TYSON TAYLOR PHOTO
Kathleen says she is ready to serve some Seahawks fans come Super Bowl Sunday at the Rod and Gun. There will be plenty of folks from the area cheering for the Seahawks as they take on the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 48. Kick-off is 3:30 p.m. our time.
SUPER BOWL PARTIES IN PARKSVILLE QUALICUM BEACH THIS SUNDAY
Seahawks spurring sell-outs
T YSON TAYLOR
sports@pqbnews.com
The 48th Super Bowl will take place in East Rutherford, New Jersey and will be a battle between the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks. With a good chunk of Seahawks fans in the area, there will be plenty of cheering on the “home team” in Parksville Qualicum Beach. If you’re looking for a place to
catch the action, we’ve found a few spots that will have all sorts of entertainment to go along with the game on Sunday (3:30 p.m. kick-off ). Tickets are just about sold out at both the Rod & Gun and The French Creek Marine Pub. Each venue has been hot spots for the Super Bowl over the last decade and will be once again this year. A $10 ticket gets you into the Rod & Gun, where a “Tail Gate Buffet” and
a half-time hot dog eating contest are scheduled. There are big prizes up for grabs too, including a trip to Las Vegas, a 50-inch TV, jerseys and much more. The French Creek Pub will be sold out once again, as it has been for most of the 20 years of hosting a Super Bowl event. There will be a field goal kicking contest at half time and a reverse draw will take place as well, with the chance to win a ton of great prizes. See FAMILY OPTIONS, page A4
QuitNow! Carbon Monoxide Clinic Thursday, January 30th – 1-5pm –
Drop in and talk with Karen Alden from the QuitNow! program with the BC Lung Association about their free support services. Anyone (smoker or not) can take a simple breath test to learn how much carbon monoxide is in their blood.
Free Seminars: “Natural Approaches to Cancer Care” Tues Feb 4 – either 1pm or 6:30pm
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
WEEKDAYS UNTIL 9PM • WEEKENDS UNTIL 6PM Locally Owned, Proudly Canadian!
281 E. ISLAND HWY. PARKSVILLE, BC
250-951-0243