Parks: Tree thefts in Kanaka. 8
Community: Hosspital volu unteeer goes Above and Beyond. 3 Sports: Fostering, growing better athletes. 21
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Faster growth, slower computers Six new classes of elementary students By Neil Corbett ncorbett@mapleridgenews.com
The start of the new school year brought surprises to the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows School District this September. There’s been faster-thanexpected growth, and a painfully Mike Murray slow new computer system. The district received an unexpected bump in the elementary school population. Six new classes have been added across the district, at Harry Hooge, Yennadon, Kanaka Creek, Webster’s Corners, Blue Mountain and Albion elementary schools. “I’m guessing the growth will be 180 to 200 students at elementary, which is about twice what it was last year,” said superintendent Sylvia Russell. “So it’s significant enough.” The new students mean more money for the school district, said Russell. Districts receive provincial funding per pupil, now at $8,600 each, according to the education ministry. So 200 new students would bring approximately $1.7 million in additional funding. Declining enrollment has played a large role in the district’s financial troubles in recent years, which have resulted in millions of dollars in cuts, job losses, elimination of regular school bus service, and austerity measures, such as increased rental fees. See Schools, 11
Walmart may have grocery No date set yet for opening at mall B y P h i l M e l nychuk pmelnychuk@mapleridgenews.com
Walmart wants to make the most of its downtown space in Maple Ridge by turning the former Target location into a ‘supercentre.’ It’s too soon to make any definite announcement, but that is what the company envisions, said Alex Roberton. “It’s our hope that we can bring
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Work crews continue to refurbish the former Target store at Haney Place Mall.
Offered at
a supercentre offering to our customers in Maple Ridge, and that’s what we’re working towards.” The permit process hasn’t been finalized. Walmart announced last May that it took over the former Target location in Haney Place Mall. It was one of 12 leases Walmart acquired when U.S.-based Target left Canada after a brief foray into the market. In July, Smart Real Estate Investment Trust bought the local mall from Narland Properties, a Vancouver company.
SmartREIT was formed in April when Calloway REIT bought SmartCentres and turned it into a real estate investment trust. Maple Ridge council approved an earlier application for renovations to the mall. Renovations continue at the west end of the mall, even though Target did a major expansion when it took over from Zellers. “It does potentially go beyond cosmetic,” Roberton said of Walmart’s plan. A supercentre would include a
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grocery section. Once planning is complete, the company will know when opening day will be. “We’re in the middle of the planning process right now.” Coun. Gordy Robson said the renovations are good for the downtown. “I think it’s a real positive renovation. There are lots of changes happening in the downtown. I think they’re good changes.” Another 1,000 housing units are being built in the downtown area. See Mall, 5
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