Inside
◆ FIRE HALL THREAT P. 5 ◆ HISTORY MYSTERY P. 8
◆ COMMUNITY GARDEN P. 2 ◆ POLICE BLOTTER P. 3
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WEDNESDAY, August 26, 2015
VOL. 38 NO. 26 $1.30 inc. GST
Deadline for new daycare
Youngsters had a chance to decorate Spirit Square during the Night Market, and many of them seized the opportunity (above), while student librarian Meghan Ross clowned around with a fake moustache (below). Photos by Barbara Roden
Night Market attracts hundreds This year’s third annual Night Market in Fort St. James was a huge success, with between 400 and 500 people attending some part of the event on Aug. 18. Lina Gasser, Local Government Management Intern at the District of Fort St James, said this was an improvement on last year, when some 300-400 people attended. “And in 2014 we had 29 registered vendors; this year we had 39,” said Gasser, who was in charge of organizing, managing, and coordinating the event. The musicians and vendors, artists and artisans came from all over the area, and provided a vibrant mix of sights, sounds, and tastes. “I think everyone had a really great time and enjoyed it,” says Gasser. “The music was a big success, and we had a good mix of bands.” The crafts on display included paintings, carvings, woodwork, jewellery, soap, leatherwork, and clothing. There was also local honey, homemade preserves, local produce, fresh baked goods, and frozen meat, and vendors on hand to supply dinner and snacks. The hot night meant that the fresh lemonade quickly sold out, and ice cream cones were popular.
Children were able to decorate Spirit Square, and there were tours of the new Healthy Minds Community Garden. There were also information booths, where people could get free books, take hula hoop lessons, find out about becoming a volunteer firefighter, or support Fort St. James Constable Andres Sanchez as he sets out to ride in the Cops for Cancer “Tour de North” event next month. The sun setting over Stuart Lake had little effect on the crowd, as many people seemed determined to stay there until the market closed. Gasser has a big “thank you” to everyone who attended the event or helped organize it, and to all the vendors. “And we couldn’t have done it without our sponsors: the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, Mount Milligan, Fort St. James Green Energy Limited Partnership, Newgold Blackwater, the Fort St. James Chamber of Commerce, and the District of Fort St. James.” Gasser says that she’ll be submitting notes and a final report about the event. “I hope that we can have an even bigger and better Night Market next year.” Barbara Roden
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The Nechako Valley Community Services Society has received a $130,000 grant to refurbish space on the second storey of the Sitka building on Stuart Drive W. for use as a daycare. “A daycare is needed in the community, and we’d fill it quickly, but no one was willing to take it on,” says Lynda Lewis, Program Manager of the NVCSS Fort St. James office, which is based in the Sitka. “When we started four years ago it was going to be the Society that opened a daycare, but we decided this spring to spearhead an attempt to try to get one going with an independent operator.” A Request for Proposal (RFP) for an operator has now gone out, and Lewis hopes that someone can be found before the third week of October. “The renovations have to start by then, or we lose the grant,” she says. “And we can’t start the work until we have someone hired.” Although there are other licenced daycares in the Fort which can accommodate up to 8 children each, Lewis says they’re always having to turn people away. And while those daycares can take children aged three years and up, Lewis hopes to attract an operator who is certified to take children from zero to thirty-six months. “It’s a challenge to get early childhood educators here, but we can apply for a variance, which would allow an operator to work towards their certification.” An operator could open with space for eight children, but the facility would be licenced to take up to 28 children in total, and be open five days a week, 12 months of the year.. If an operator can be found before the October deadline, the more than 2,000 square foot space will be completely refurbished into a daycare with a fully outfitted kitchen, bathrooms, communal space as well as separate areas for different age groups, a washer and dryer, an office, and room for parents to store buggies, strollers, and more. The bright, sunny space overlooks Stuart Lake, as well as a playground area that Lewis says could be expanded. “We’d like to create more green space,” says Lewis. “If the project goes ahead then we’d apply for a gaming grant for that next year.” She points out that this is an excellent opportunity not only for the community, but for someone who would like to operate their own business. “We’ll do all the renovations, so all an operator has to do is bring their own art supplies and food and walk in,” says Lewis. Although the blueprints for the space have already been drawn up, an operator would have the chance to be very involved in the design of the space, the colour scheme, and more. “We’ll do everything we can to make sure [the operator] is successful,” says Lewis. “They’ll have a lot of support.” Barbara Roden
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