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Wednesday, March 4, 2015
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Special needs and seniors housing may come this spring
By Chris Gareau Smithers/Interior News
FOR A GOOD CAUSE Family fundraises for cancer treatment.
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A HOPEFUL FUTURE Careers fair raises hopes for job market.
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A 17 unit housing project dedicated to both individuals with developmental disabilities and seniors may start going up in Smithers this spring. Dik Tiy Housing Society is working with B.C. Housing to build the estimated $3.4 million project at the corner of Main Street and Sixteenth Avenue. Dik Tiy president and High Road Services Society board member Murray Hawse said they have been working on this project for a number of years. “In Smithers, the vacancy rate is very low as everyone knows, so it’s hard to find places that we can rent or buy and renovate that our clients can afford to go into because most of them are on a disability pension of just over $900 a month. It doesn’t leave them a lot to live on,” said Hawse. Low income seniors would play an important role as residents. “We thought there was an opportunity there for some seniors to be integrated with some of the special needs residents, and they can actually help out in some ways. “A lot of times they are looking for opportunities to volunteer, and if we can create some affordable housing for them they can help us out on the other side. It’s good for everybody,” explained Hawse. B.C. Housing had originally committed $1.2 million of the cost, but has now offered to cover the entire $3.4 million. Under this new plan, B.C. Housing would own the building while Dik Tiy would operate it. See DIK TIY on A2
READY TO ROCK! Five-year-old Reese Hansen gets ready to throw a rock during the 48th annual Jam Pail Curling tournament at the Smithers Curling Centre last Sunday. Roughly 60 kids participated in the event put on by the Smithers Lions Club. For more photos and results, see page A13. Kendra Wong photo
Jonker remembered as dedicated rugby coach By Alicia Bridges Smithers/Interior News
A Smithers man whose death in custody is being investigated by B.C.’s police watchdog has been remembered as a rugby-lover who helped establish the sport in Smithers. Jacobus Jonker died in a Victoria hospital on Feb. 21, five days after he lost consciousness after a physical struggle with officers at the Smithers RCMP detachment.
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The 53-year-old had been arrested at a Smithers residence at about 10:30 p.m. on Valentine’s Day. Friends and rugby enthusiasts last week paid tribute to Jonker, a South African ex-pat known as Cobus, who lived with his family in Smithers. An avid rugby-lover, Jonker and fellow South African Alan Slate helped introduce the sport to Smithers Secondary School in 2011. By 2013 there were 35 boys and 30 girls enrolled in the sport
at SSS, making it one of the most popular sports at the school. As head coach, Jonker led SSS teams to the B.C. Summer Games, provincial matches and regional tournaments. With Jonker and Slate leading the sport, Smithers also hosted a regional rugby “sevens” tournament. In Oct. 2013, he spoke of his dedication to the growth of the sport in Smithers. “We can only go forward,” said Jonker. See TRIBUTES on A5
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