The Hope
Standard Office: 604.869.2421 www.hopestandard.com
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2014
news@hopestandard.com
3 AARON PRITCHETT AT BRIGADE DAYS
Lots of activities planned for the annual end of summer festival
5 HIGHWAY THRU HELL IS BACK
Season three featuring Jamie Davis Heavy Rescue premieres Sept. 2
KERRIE-ANN SCHOENIT / THE STANDARD
Seating upgrades Tri-West Contracting crews are working on upgrades to the Sports Bowl seating area, as part of the new community recreation park. Concrete no-post barriers are being placed and backfilled to reinforce the terrace seating area and increase spectator capacity.
14 LOCAL SWIMMER
AT PROVINCIALS
Rachel Deschenes ends competitive career after two final relays
INSIDE
Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Community . . . . . . 8 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Classifieds . . . . . 17 $
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New plan proposed for Station House Kerrie-Ann Schoenit Hope Standard
The district of Hope is looking into the feasibility of taking over control and operation of the Station House. Tammy Shields, executive director of AdvantageHOPE, presented a business case to council on Monday night that would see the historic building serve as the community’s tourist centre and museum. “This asset we feel belongs to the community and it’s in jeopardy,” said Shields. “Time is of the essence because of the deteriorating building. We have a lot of gratitude to everyone involved for us to get to this point here, and especially to the volunteers at the Station House. Without their efforts over the years, we wouldn’t have this piece of our community’s history.
WATER CONSERVATION TIP
06/14H_DOHC
POSITION SPRINKLER SO WATER LANDS ON THE LAWN AND NOT ON PAVED AREAS.
We definitely want to celebrate the legacy of those efforts.” The Station House is prominently located at the junction of Hope Princeton Way and Water Avenue. The building was originally built in 1916 by the Great Northern Railway and was relocated to its present site in 1985. It is currently occupied by the Hope Station House Community Arts & Heritage Society. However, the provincial government owns the land and has declined to renew the license until repairs and deficiencies dating back to at least 2010 are completed. The Society is currently occupying the building with no formal term agreement in place. In October 2013, AdvantageHOPE attended a regular meeting of the Society to present a proposal that
would see them transfer interest in the property to AdvantageHOPE. A memorandum of understanding (MOA) was signed with AdvantageHOPE agreeing to adhere to three principles in readapting the property – preservation of the building, future use benefitting the whole community, and celebration of the Station House legacy. However, at a subsequent special meeting of the Society, membership voted by secret ballot to try and stay in occupancy. AdvantageHOPE has since taken steps to follow through on the MOA, which included engagement with district staff, having a district building inspector visit the site, tour of the property with Chilliwack-Hope MLA Laurie Throness, communication with the province, and attending
a followup meeting with the Society. AdvantageHOPE is now lobbying the district to assert ownership over the building and enter into a new agreement with the province to occupy the property. The district would provide a $100,000 initial contribution, which would be offset by the relocation of the Hope Visitor Centre and Museum Complex to the Station House. Shields said that investment can be leveraged further through grants and other funding opportunities. “We think that the visitor centre and museum’s current location is a bit of a lost opportunity,” she said. “Most of our traffic comes into us at Exit 170, but most of it goes down Old Hope Princeton Way.”
STAGE TWO
WATERING RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT As per District of Hope Water Regulation Bylaw No. 1271, 2009. Watering is permitted on alternate odd or even calendar days based on civic addresses during the hours of 5:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. until September 30, 2014. Hand watering is still permitted on any day of the week. Any concerns should be directed to Mr. Vince Coles, Utilities Foreman, at 604-869-2333.
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