THURSDAYFEBRUARY 5, 2015
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FAMILY DAY IS MONDAY
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Town of Qualicum Beach is forced to cut an old tree that’s popular with eagles
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A5
WOODSTOVES IN PARKSVILLE
To ban or to burn? City staff instructed to produce bylaw options JOHN HARDING editor@pqbnews.com
Kirk Oates questioned the political will of his colleagues Monday night as Parksville city council started a debate about bylaws that could change the use of woodstoves in the community. The first-term councillor wants to ban the future installation of wood-burning appliances outright in city homes. “We certainly have the ability to pass a bylaw that says no wood-burning appliances are allowed,” said Oates. “I think it behooves this council to look at that. I’m not sure the political will is here though.” “People who want woodstoves can perhaps move to the regional district.” Council did not have a bylaw to debate on Monday. What was in front of them was a recommendation from staff — spurred by a previous council request — asking for permission to develop a bylaw for future consideration. Some members of council were concerned some residents would feel some pressure on their already-stretched pocketbooks if woodstoves were banned, citing the rising cost of other heat sources like electricity. “It could pose a real hardship for people,” said Coun. Mary Beil. A staff report from director of community planning Blaine Russell seemed to back Beil’s assertion. “Many residents in Parksville are on fixed incomes and heating a home with wood is one of the most cost-effective methods available when compared to other options,” wrote Russell. See OUTDOOR BURNS, page A8
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BRENDA GOUGH PHOTO
CHANGING BEFORE YOUR EYES: French immersion students at Oceanside Elementary School dressed up as Monarch butterflies last month and flapped their handmade wings down the halls of the school. The colourful display by the Kindergarten and Grade 1 classes was a demonstration of the insect’s annual migration to Mexico. See page A24 for another photo.
QUALICUM BEACH
Old fire hall offers opportunities AUREN RUVINSKY writer@pqbnews.com
With construction of the new Qualicum Beach fire 50 per cent done, focus is shifting to what can be done with the old hall. “The basic framework of the (new) firehall is beginning to take shape,” said town director of engineering Bob Weir. The new building near the round-
about is approaching water tight, is “flooded with sub-trades, and entering the finishing stages,” Weir said. The $6.5 million project is right on time and budget and expected to open in the late summer or early fall. He said they are at about 50 per cent time-wise and 40 per cent financially, since payments are usually made after work is completed. He touted the project’s “major em-
phasis on efficiency,” with elements like geothermal heating and the use of laminated veneer lumber which he described as being like thick plywood beams and floor sections, which save time and money. He also highlighted the unique “tilt up construction method” used on the hose tower where concrete slabs were poured on site and then lifted, or tilted into place. See SITE, page A7
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