THURSDAY December 25, 2014 Vol. 29• No. 103 ••• $1.25 inc. G.S.T.
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Construction begins on new hospice space Scott Stanfield Record Staff
For Audrey Craig and others at the Comox Valley Hospice Society, a 40-year dream will become a reality next year when a new four-bed hospice space opens at The Views residential care facility at St. Joseph’s General Hospital. “It’s been an extremely long journey for all of us,” Craig, the society’s president, said Friday at
Arden’s ‘Facewall’ creates student interaction Page 3
a ceremony at the hospital. The provincial government provided a $250,000 grant to the Hospital Foundation to support construction of the space, which is expected to open by mid-2015. Island Health will provide ongoing operational funds while the Hospice Society — through donations — will provide supports and counselling to clients and their families. The foundation and the society
continue to fundraise for capital construction, furnishing and equipment to create a welcoming hospice environment. Each room will have an ocean or garden view. A clinical operations working group is determining how the new hospice service will operate in terms of procedures, admission criteria and eligibility requirements. “Community-based hospice care is an important component
of the range of services and supports available to individuals and families who are dealing with end-of-life care and decisions during a very difficult and stressful time,” Island Health board chair Don Hubbard said. Foundation representative Marion Lade said the designated four-bed palliative hospice unit — in some ways — brings to a close a wish dear to her heart.
... see HOSPICE ■ 9
Revised Lorne plan granted second reading
LAST MINUTE WISHING
Open house results in design revisions Erin Haluschak Record Staff
Freewheeling to increased mobility Page 6 How quickly things change on Mount Washington. Ski and snowboard season is officially on! No thumbs down. It’s Christmas!
PHOTO BY TERRY FARRELL
Eight-year-old Lilly Young had a chance to give Santa her wish list on Saturday at Driftwood Mall, before he headed back to the North Pole to load his sleigh.
Plan your Christmas at the Westerly Christmas Day Brunch Buffet Noon/2pm
Christmas Day Dinner Buffet
New Years Day Brunch 10am/Noon/2pm
5:45pm & 7:15pm
Call the Westerly Restaurant to make your reservation.
Toyota
New Years Eve
The Impalas in the Ballroom Jazz in the Westerly Restaurant Pool Tourney in the Chalk Lounge Dance the Night away in the Flying Canoe
cmyk
Reservations and Tickets for New Years available at the front desk.
Council approved the next step in a rezoning application for the proposed Lorne Hotel, accepting revised design drawings based on a recent public open house and granted second reading on the project. The approval makes way for a public hearing in the new year. Town planner Marvin Kamenz told council during a presentation that submissions from the public following an open house on Nov. 26 were mixed. He said the main areas of concern were the character of the building; design of the building (lack of architectural detailing); mass of the building (height); onsite parking adequacy and sound attenuation for residential units above the pub.
... see COUNCIL ■ 4
The Westerly Hotel & Convention Centre COURTENAY BC
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