Community: From m one helping hand to ano other. 10
Charity: Strip-a-thon ready for another year. 9
Health: Opposition to cell towers. 4 Fri d ay, D e ce m b e r 4 , 2 015 · mapleridgenews.com · est. 1978 · (office) 604-467-1122 · (del ive r y) 6 0 4 - 4 6 6 - 6 3 9 7
Pool could close for a year Timeline for $5.5 million repairs coming soon By Neil Corbett ncorbett@mapleridgenews.com
The Maple Ridge Leisure Centre’s pool operations may need to close for a year as part of the $5.5 million refit and repair. Mayor Nicole Read is not pleased with that prospect, saying a city of 80,000 people should not be without a pool for that long. “We shouldn’t be in a position where we have to completely close our aquatic facility,” she said. “That’s a big concern for council.” Read said council will review a detailed report about the downtime – including the proposed closure dates – from recreation staff next week.
Tim Fitzgerald/THE NEWS
High school hoops Pitt Meadows secondary basketball coach Rich Goulet keeps a close eye on his senior boys’ team, which had to drop to AAA this year because of declining enrolment, during practice Wednesday. Story story, page 30.
See Pool, 12
‘Sports facilities are at capacity’ More turf fields and ice surfaces are needed By Neil Corbett ncorbett@mapleridgenews.com
Local sports organizations are relieved to hear that Maple Ridge is considering borrowing up to $110 million for recreation facilities. Ridge Meadows Minor Hockey Association is reaching a point where it may have to turn kids away unless more ice is available.
$509,900
The West Coast Auto Group Football Club said it is falling behind, with access to fewer turf fields than neighbouring cities. And the Ridge Meadows Minor Lacrosse Association was told it can’t host provincials again until it can offer better facilities. Minor hockey vice-president Derek Gullmes said there is definitely a shortage of ice surfaces, with two in Maple Ridge and three in Pitt Meadows. “We’re close to the point where we’ll have to say no to kids who want to
play hockey.” The association has 1,050 members. Gullmes said local kids pay more, and they play at hours well outside of what is considered prime time. Kids are up for practices at 5 a.m., and he said a bantam game finished at 10:30 p.m. in Pitt Meadows this week. So it will be close to midnight before players will be getting to bed, and “that’s getting too late.” “Another sheet of ice or two would be welcomed,” added Gullmes, and that the eastern side of the city, where there is the most growth, makes the
13005 - 224th Street
Steve & Gloria
OPEN HOUSE
SATURDAY 2 - 4 P.M. UPDATED RANCHER on .40/acre, city water, NEW appliances, 16 x 34 workshop with power & water. BE IN FOR CHRISTMAS!
art & nathan neufeld
High Performance Real Estate Service Since 1990
most sense. He said Cam Neely Arena at Planet Ice is showing its age, and “we would love a nicer, higher end facility.” He said the Langley Events Centre should be a model for Maple Ridge to consider, if it is looking at a spectator arena. “We’re excited about the prospect of our community investing in recreation facilities, and more ice is definitely the priority for us.” WCAGFC executive director Misty Thomas said there are lots of fields in the city, but under good conditions
HAMILTON www.gloriahamilton.ca
604-657-6830 778-834-1567 www.artneufeld.com
Art Neufeld Personal Real Estate Corporation RE/MAX Results Realty 20842 Lougheed Highway, Maple Ridge V2X 2R3 | Each office independently owned and operated
604.467.8881
Each office independently owned & operated
a grass field is restricted to just six hours of use per week in the winter, and in rainy or frosty conditions they can be closed entirely. “There’s lots of fields – it’s the quality of fields and playability,” she said. “It isn’t lack of fields, it’s lack of field that can be used year-round, that are lit.” Recent conditions have closed numerous fields, she said. “We haven’t been able to play, and that wouldn’t be just us. It’s lacrosse, football or whoever.” See Rec, 14
From our family to yours, all the best for a wonderful HolidaySeason!