THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2015 PM0040030872
Volume 41, Issue 25
www.starjournal.net
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Kurt Genier Memorial tourney held By Jill Hayward North Thompson Star/Journal
2014 CCNA
District gives update on wastewater project ..... page 7
Business Walk a positive experience for Barriere business owners ..... page 8
Last Friday Kurt Genier was remembered by family and friends with a Memorial Slow Pitch Tournament held at the ball parks in Barriere. Kurtis Genier unexpectedly passed away in May of 2014 as a result of a motorcycle accident on Highway 5. Just over one year later, on Friday, June 12, his birthday was remembered at the ball parks by family and those who knew him. Kurt’s niece, Jordan Genier, sang a song in memory of her uncle, and then numerous balloons were released into the sky. The ball tournament in Kurt’s name was organized by the Genier family, and many volunteers; with the games starting on the Friday and running through the weekend. Eight teams participated, and by all reports the slow pitch tournament was competitive, fun and a great fundraiser. Money raised from the Memorial Tournament was earmarked to be put into a trust fund for Kurt’s young son Deagan Genier.
The tournament also offered a Home Run Derby, silent auction, 50/50, and concessions on site for all who attended. After the final pitch had taken place, and the top three teams named, the Genier family was touched by the generosity of the winners who all donated their prize money back to go into the trust. It was a good day.
Photos by: Elli Kohnert
Numerous balloons were released into the evening sky in memory of Kurt Genier on June 12, his birthday.
Jordan Genier (right) sings a song in memory of her uncle Kurt at the Barriere Ball Parks on June 12 . The gathering of family and friends took place to remember Kurt Genier with a Memorial Slow Pitch Tournament. Also pictured are Kurt’s Aunt Bev Boisvert and family friend Robert Cline.
Splash pad gets boost from the province North Thompson Star/Journal
Harley Wright retires after serving 41 years with GSFP ..... page 9
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Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Terry Lake paid a visit to Barriere last Friday to present a cheque for $40,000 on behalf of the province toward the cost of the splash park project in Barriere. The water park project has been designed to celebrate Barriere’s heritage and include local First Nations themes, providing all-ages family recreation in the summer months in Fadear Park. “I am delighted that this spray park will be accessible to people of all ranges of mobility,” Lake said. “A familycentred project such as
this gives Barriere residents a place to have fun together, and will also be an inviting attraction for tourists.” District of Barriere Mayor Virginia Smith said, “On behalf of the District of Barriere, I would like to extend our thanks to Minister Lake for obtaining $40,000 of provincial funding for the Barriere splash pad. “The project is called ‘Splash in the Past into the Future’ and will highlight our heritage as well as provide a much-needed opportunity to cool off in the centre of town during our hot summer days. The splash pad will be for all ages, it will be handicap accessible and it will fur-
ther enhance the amenities already located in Fadear Park.” In addition to local fundraising efforts which total just over $20,000 (thanks to pie sales, bake sales and dedicated volunteers), the Lower North Thompson Community Forest Society has voted to contribute $150,000 toward the project. “Combined with the generosity of the Lower North Thompson Community Forest Society and the fundraising efforts of the community at large, we can now move forward with a grant application that requires matching funds – something we could not have done without
STAR/JOURNAL photo: Jill Hayward
Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Terry Lake presented a cheque to Mayor Virginia Smith for $40,000 to the District of Barriere Friday for the splash park project. Minister Lake’s efforts to procure today’s contribution from the province,” Smith said. Plans for the park show it having a recirculated, treated water system with timed,
motion-sensor operation. If funding is in place, proponents of the project say construction is expected to begin in spring 2016 and be completed by next summer.
Splash park committee chair, Lindsay Arcand, says they are keeping their fingers crossed that this third try to acquire a large grant to fund the project will be successful.
S E R V I N G T H E N O RT H T H O M P S O N VA L L E Y F R O M H E F F L E Y C R E E K TO B L U E R I V E R