winter fun day in mcleese lake PAGE A3
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
day in the life of nccs PAGE A10
VOL. 100 NO. 55
Arena replacement discussion begins SHANNON STEVER Observer Reporter
The first of two scheduled sessions for public input concerning the arena replacement program focused on community input. Director of Community Services, Jeff Norburn presented information concerning the proposed projects in order to bring public reaction to council in order to make an informed decision. A survey had already been conducted concerning recreation in Quesnel, with more than 1,000 citizens, across various demographics (age, location, number of children, etc.) were contacted (three times the necessary sample-group in order to be statistically valid.) The survey found in favour of upgrading the existing arenas as a high priority. Renovations have been proposed by the public many times, but as Norburn points out, “it’s like an old car – you can [dump money] in, but it will still be an old car.” The consultation was based on an estimate, at minimum, meeting current capacity (with more comfortable accommodations). Returning with advice on the seat capacity, it was found through the consultation process that matching the current seat capacity versus upgrading to a 1,600-seat arena would provide a negligible increase (what Norburn summarized as a few hundred thousand on a $15-million project, which, considering the current calculations, would be barely noticeable.) Another factor in the cost was the idea of wood versus steel. “As a ‘Wood First’ area, we originally had the Multi-Centre project proposed as a wood-only building,” Norburn said. However, after consultation, a steel infrastructure with wood finishing severely affected the cost. The estimates with the steel infrastructure were $15 – 16.8M, whereas with wood, the estimate fell at
$20.2 – 24.3M. “It will still feel predominately wood,” Norburn affirmed. Questions were raised at the meeting concerning estimates based on the $9.9M already raised, assuming the grants donated carry over from the Multi-Centre project to the arena replacement project (contact is still being made to ascertain this). Although comparisons were made to the 100 Mile House arena, Norburn expressed hesitation in this regard due to the drastic reduction in scope this would entail, from a professional-sized arena down to a spectator arena just a few hundred seats in capacity. Further issues were raised concerning the time of the 100 Mile House arena’s foundation, which was built roughly in 2003, with significant inflation since then. Engineered wood was brought up for its reduction in price as well, however, Norburn did consult directly with press to state that this was factored into the estimates above. Further questions were raised concerning federal funding. “We are still aggressively chasing after federal funding,” Norburn said. However, no guarantee of finding funding was put on the table. Few denied the arena needs upgrading, although, Norburn, as well as the City of Quesnel in general, want to make certain how this is accomplished meets the needs and desires of the city and its surrounding areas, as much as possible. These combined meetings will be taken directly to council in order to consider the project fully, with the voice of the citizens taken into account. For those who wish to have their questions raised and answered concerning this project, or who wish to make sure the voice of the public gets heard, there will be another meeting concerning the project March 25, at City Hall, 7 p.m.
2013 Quesnel Volunteer Citizen of the Year
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Archery from a chair PAGE A14
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Get your purple on In support of Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness, March 26, Quesnel Bakery is baking up a storm of purple cookies! 50 per cent of the net proceeds are being donated to help fund a third bed in the Seizure Investigation Unit (SIU) at VGH Epilepsy Centre. The unit is the only one in B.C. and currently can accommodate two patients at a time. The primary reason for the SIU is to determine whether a patient is a candidate for brain surgery to alleviate seizures. For 70 per cent of epilepsy patients the cause is unknown, making the SIU a vital tool in the battle of this disease. When the local support group epilepsyQuesnel approached Quesnel Bakery owner Gerd Teetzen, he was quick to pledge his support for such a worthy cause. “Epilepsy holds such a stigma for the general public, many, even in Quesnel, hide their disease and suffer in silence,” Teetzen said. Throughout the month people can purchase purple cookies at the bakery, order purple cookies for their meeting or special event or purchase for their employees and customers. The purple sugar cookies, with purple sprinkles, are all cut by hand, made from scratch with fresh wholesome ingredients and sell for $6 for six. For information on epilepsy, seizures or Purple Day, contact epilepsy.quesnel@ymail.com. Teetzen and bakery manager Annie Seppa show off cookies available for supporting Purple Day at Quesnel Bakery. Annie Gallant photo
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