TUESDAY JULY 1, 2014
Black Press C O M M U N I T Y
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BCYCNA
Silver 2013 General Excellence
HAPPY CANADA DAY
RETURN OF BARD TO BROADWAY
Big party planned here for nation’s 147th birthday
Annual theatre festival kicks off this week with a play featuring an all-female cast
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PARKSVILLE CURLING CLUB
Study or demolish? RDN debates future of club facing financial squeeze CANDACE WU news@pqbnews.com
The regional district has committed $15,000 to studying the current state of the Parksville Curling Club. This comes at a time when the club is considering its future after losing its 100 per cent tax-exempt status from the City of Parksville. And not all Regional District of Nanaimo directors were in favour of allocating the study money during their meeting last week. The money comes from the Corporate Climate Action Fund and the study will confirm the building’s current level of performance, integrity and life expectancy of it’s structures and major operating systems. “This $15,000 is a good idea,” said Parksville’s board member, Coun. Marc Lefebvre. “I really think it’s a good idea to look at the building.” Lefebvre explained the curling club has been left in a difficult position after the city changed the criteria for its permissive taxation program which used to offer certain organizations — including the curling club — a 100 per cent tax break. Under the new criteria, the Parksville Curling Club only receives a 50 per cent tax exemption. But not all directors said they agree committing more money to the organization is the best idea. “The curling club was given the facility to run and operate on the assumption it wouldn’t cost the RDN taxpayer any money,” said director Bill Veenhof, who represents Deep Bay and Bowser. “And now we’re talking about dedicating $15,000 to the facility — although it’s grant money (not taxpayer money) I get that — but it’s still money that can be used for other things for the taxpayer.” See CLUB HAS 300+ MEMBERS, page A7
CANDACE WU PHOTO
GRAD PARADE: Ballenas Secondary School graduates took to the streets of Parksville in fabulous clothes, riding in all sorts of vehicles — and even towed boats, like above — during their grad parade on Saturday. For more photos from the parade and commencement ceremonies for students from both BSS and Kwalikum Secondary School, see page A5 and visit our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/PQBNews.
BEAR DESTROYED IN PARKSVILLE
Taste of garbage spelled death CANDACE WU
news@pqbnews.com
A male adult bear was destroyed June 23 in Parksville after getting into a north end business’ garbage, according to conversation officer Stuart Bates.
“It (the bear) became accustomed to people,” said Bates. “I personally saw him twice myself within 20 yards.” Bates said conservation officers set up a trap and six days later caught the bear. “This serves as a good reminder for residents to secure their garbage,”
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he said, noting the business who originally attracted the bear has since secured its garbage in a compound. Bates said people should keep their garbage inside a shed or garage until the day it is scheduled to be picked up. See ANOTHER BEAR, page A7
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