Tri-City News March 30 2023

Should Gilley’s Quarry be allowed to get bigger?

Port Coquitlam

Port Moody

City’s industrial future is bright, but different

PoMolooksto cut‘shocking’ taxincrease

Budget boost will cost average homeowner $311

MARIO BARTEL mbartel@tricitynews.com

Department heads at Port Moody City Hall are being tasked to sharpen their pencils and find ways to save money or increase revenues in an effort to shave a proposed 11 33 per cent property tax increase.

Last Tuesday (March 21), council’s finance committee asked staff to report back with possible economies to deal with what once councillor called “an unprecedented situation.”

Their findings will then be discussed in a future closed meeting

Coun Diana Dilworth said the draft budget’s double-digit property tax boost that was presented to council last month is “shocking”

She added, “It behooves every member of this council to ask where we have to cut and where we can increase revenues.”

Port Moody’s manager of financial planning, Tyson Ganske, said the proposed property tax increase would cost the average homeowner in the city an additional $311 when the annual storm sewer and drainage fee is included

Giggle Dam dinner theatre goes to auction

Roland Therrien creates maple taffy, or tire sur la neige, by pouring boiled maple syrup onto snow, last Saturday at Coquitlam’s 34th Festival du Bois in Mackin Park. The event celebrates the French-Canadian roots of the surrounding Maillardville neighbourhood. For more photos see Page 3. JENNIFER GAUTHIER/TRI-CITY NEWS

What’s On in April at

coqlibrary.ca

City Centre Branch, 1169 Pinetree Way

Poirier Branch, 575 Poirier Street

Story Times

Stories, songs, finger plays, and rhymes for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.

No registration needed just drop in! Check out the story time schedule at coqlibrary.ca/storytime

Easter Monday Story Time (0–6 years old)

CITY CENTRE BRANCH | ROOMS 136 & 137

Monday, April 10 10:30–11:00 am

Korean Story Time (0–5 years old)

Picture books, songs, and rhymes in Korean POIRIER BRANCH | NANCY BENNETT ROOM

Tuesdays, April 11–June 27 10:30–11:15 am

CITY CENTRE BRANCH | ROOMS 136 & 137

Fridays, April 14–June 30 10:30–11:15 am

Día Internacional del Libro / World Book Day

Celebrate World Book Day and Spanish language with a story time in Spanish and English, followed by children’s crafts and activities.

We’ll also have an information session about the Library’s Spanish language print and electronic collections.

Presented in partnership with Creative Cha Cha Cha

CITY CENTRE BRANCH | ROOMS 136 & 137

Sunday, April 23 1:00–3:00 pm

(Story time starts at 1:00 pm)

Contest Alert! Blackout Poetry

For Children For Adults

Celebrate poetry month with a take-home craft bag. Use recycled materials from the library collection to create your best blackout poetry for a chance to win a prize For all ages.

How to Participate

• Pick up a blackout bag between April 1 and 15 at either branch. Each bag is rated with a difficulty level: Children, Casual, or Challenging

• Scan or take a photo of your completed poem and submit it by email to kwaggener@coqlibrary ca no later than 12:00 pm, Sunday, April 16.

We will share the top poems in each category on our website Vote for your favourites from 12:00 pm on April 18 through 9:00 pm on April 20. Winners will be announced on April 21 at 5:00 pm

INFORMATION: coqlibrary ca/blackout-poetry

For Newcomers

Change Your Mindset as Newcomers to Find Your Way

Presenter Winnie Hsu will discuss ways to adapt to a new country, community, and language, and how to make friends with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Presented in partnership with Vision2Reality Foundation.

ON ZOOM

Wednesday, April 12 7:00–8:00 pm

REGISTRATION: coquitlam libnet info/event/8039048

Prepare Because You Care

Join Funeral Advisor Frederick Margel with First Memorial Funeral Services to learn about the decisions involved in planning your final wishes. Protect your family from the burden, the pressure, and the costs of arranging a funeral, cremation, or burial.

CITY CENTRE BRANCH | ROOM 127

Tuesday, April 4 7:00–8:00 pm

REGISTRATION: coquitlam.libnet.info/event/8053711

Author Talk with Lindsay Wong

Lindsay Wong is the author of the critically acclaimed, awardwinning, and bestselling memoir The Woo-Woo Her latest work is the short story collection, Tell Me Pleasant Things About Immortality She joins us to talk about her writing and to answer your questions.

CITY CENTRE BRANCH | ROOMS 136 & 137

Saturday, April 15 1:30–3:00 pm

REGISTRATION: coquitlam libnet info/event/8054019

Preparing for Job Interviews

Do you feel your interview skills are stopping you from getting the right job? Learn strategies that will help you structure answers and place your skills at a higher level, with the advice of a Career Advisor.

Presented in partnership with WorkBC Centre.

ON ZOOM

Wednesday, April 19 2:00–3:30 pm

REGISTRATION: coquitlam.libnet.info/event/8029660

Learning WordPress

April 4th is Library Giving Day Consider donating to Coquitlam Public Library and help us continue to provide innovative programming and services that matter to you!

Donate at: coqlibrary.ca/support

How to Find Work in Canada

Are you thinking of entering the Canadian workforce? Join this free webinar to learn: how to get started; what you need to know; and how to find meaningful work and retain your job

Presented in partnership with ISSofBC’s Job Quest.

VIRTUAL ON ZOOM

Thursday, April 20 1:00–2:30 pm

REGISTRATION: coquitlam libnet info/event/8040137

These hands-on workshops for beginners are open to adults. We recommend that participants attend both sessions to gain the most benefit.

Learn how to use WordPress to build a website for your business. Discover how to add products and services, pages, and customization to your site

Presented in partnership with Canada Learning Code

VIRTUAL ON ZOOM

Part One

Tuesday, April 25 11:30 am–2:00 pm

REGISTRATION: coquitlam.libnet.info/event/8012903

Part Two

Wednesday, April 26 11:30 am–2:00 pm

REGISTRATION: coquitlam libnet info/event/8040207

We have even more on our calendar! Check out all our programs and events at: coqlibrary.ca

IN TRI-CITIES

Coquitlam’s Maillardville neighbourhood celebrated its French-Canadian roots last weekend with its 34th Festival du Bois in Mackin Park

The event featured music and dance concerts, kids’ performances, family activities, workshops by artists and artisans, FrenchCanadian food like poutine and maple taffy as well as a Métis village experience

Maillardville was founded in 1909 by French-Canadian workers who travelled from Quebec and Eastern Ontario for jobs at the nearby Fraser Mills lumber mill

Clockwise from left, Genticorum packs an audience into Mackin House. The Métis Jiggers step it up at Festival du Bois. Will et Seeka perform in the children’s tent Rowe Greywolf dances along to the Métis Jiggers. Les Echoes, a Maillardville-based francophone choir, performs. JENNIFER GAUTHIER/TRI-CITY NEWS

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Budgetincludesreturnofcivicevents

Ganske said the increase presumes council’s approval for all new funding requirements, such as additional new staff positions and new operating expenses, to meet ongoing service demands

As well, the draft budget includes the return of several city events, like Cheer at the Pier and Canada Day celebrations, that had been put on hold or pared down during the COVID-19 pandemic

Couns Kyla Knowles and Callan Morrison said it’s important those events return to the calendar

“They’re what bring us together,” said Morrison, who also asked whether it might be possible for Port Moody to use some of the $6 7 million it’s to receive from the provincial government’s Growing Communities Fund to help pay for projects being funded from the city’s reserves

But Port Moody’s general

manager of finance and technology, Paul Rockwood, said the city has to tread carefully with that one-time windfall

“Obviously we don’t want to reduce the tax rate and kick the can down the road”

Coun Samantha Agtarap reminded her fellow councillors that it’s not just residents facing a massive prop-

erty tax boost: Businesses will also be getting a bigger bill even as they continue to recover from the impacts of public health restrictions and closures during the COVID-19 pandemic

“It’s been hard for everyone,” she said

Coun Amy Lubik, who chairs the finance committee, said the city needs to

Join our Foster Caregiver Community!

There are children and youth in your community who need temporary, nurturing homes We have an urgent need for foster caregivers who are:

• First Nations, Metis, Inuit

• Interested in providing care

Interested

find efficiencies to whittle the proposed increase that’s more than double the 5 48 per cent boost facing Coquitlam residents and more than triple Port Coquitlam’s 3 3 per cent increase

“Looking for every department to look for cost savings this year is a good way forward,” she said

•

Interested

How to Participate

Step 1:

Visit the project website at www coronationparkportmoody com for more information and to stay up to date

Step 2:

Please join us online or in-person at one of the following times:

• April 5, 2023 12:00 - 1:15 pm (online with a presentation to start)

• April 5, 2023 6:00 - 8:00 pm (in-person open house) at Inlet Theatre’s Galleria (100 Newport Drive, Port Moody)

Step 3:

Provide your feedback through the website or email comments to info@coronationparkportmoody com

Members of the public are welcome to listen to the project team present virtually at the 12:00 pm meeting session or attend in-person at the 6:00 pm meeting session. At each session, there will be an opportunity to ask questions to the project team. City of Port Moody staff will be in attendance

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Port Moody Coun. Callan Morrison says civic events like Canada Day at Rocky Point Park bring the community together STEVE RAY/TRI-CITY NEWS FILE PHOTO

CoquitlamChampionsEquity,DiversityandInclusion

March30–April5

MarkYourCalendar

JoinCoquitlaminrecognizingCelebrateDiversityMonththisApril

Together,let’shonourwhatmakeseachpersonuniqueand howthesedifferencescontributetoavibrant,welcomingcommunity.

CelebrateDiversityMonthispartofCoquitlam’scommitmenttoequity,diversityandinclusion(EDI),atopbusinesspriorityanda focusofongoingworkhighlightedatcoquitlamca/edi Throughoutthemonth,theCityofCoquitlamwillbehighlightingthe worktakingplacetobreakdownbarriers,whichincludespromotingawarenessandappreciationofdiversitywithdisplaysand positivemessaginginpublicspaces,socialmediapostsandotherinitiatives

Inadditiontoacomprehensiveannualworkplan,watchforCity-ledEDIinitiativesthisApril:

• ‘WalkinMyShoes’–adisplayatCityHallshowcasingthestoriesoffivenewcomerwomenintheTri-Cities

• Newstreetbannerswithdesignsandmessagesthatsupportinclusivityandbelonging

• CopiesofMina’sLunch,abookpublishedbytheAsianImpactSocietywithculturalawarenessthemes,willbeavailabletoread atvariousCityfacilities

• Cityfacilitieswillbepromotingdiversitythroughsigns,screens,postersinpublicspacesanddecalsatallentrances

• Providingfreeposterscelebratingdiversitytolocalbusinessesandgroups

Equity,DiversityandInclusion inCoquitlam

Asanorganization,Coquitlamisonajourneyto betterserveitsvibrantanddiversecommunity byincorporatinganEDIperspectiveinallCity business–includingpoliciesandpractices,the languageused,howneighbourhoodsare planned,andhowandwhatservicestheCity provides

EDI-relatedworkaimstobreakdownbarriers toensurethateveryone–regardlessofability, race,culture, gender,sexual orientationand otherdiversity characteristics–is abletolive,work andthriveinasafe andwelcoming environment

CelebrateYourWay

Planyourowncelebration:

• VisitoneofCoquitlam’smanymulticultural restaurants,showcasedatvisitcoquitlam.ca andbitly/globalflavourscoquitlam

• Searchyourmusicappforpodcasts,songs andsoundsfromdifferentcountriesandby artistsfromdifferentbackgroundsand experiences.

• Watchaninternationalfilmathome, purchasingsnackslocally

• VisitCoquitlamPublicLibraryandaskfor recommendedauthorsorideasonresources celebratingdiversity

• Cookaninternationalfeastwiththefamily, sourcingingredientslocally

• Researchtheimportanceof diversityandinclusion–startatccdi.ca

Coquitlam’sEthnicDiversity:DidYouKnow?

Source:2021Census

City-ledEDIInitiatives

Learnmoreaboutourdiverse community:

• ColourFest2023:May20

• ScotFestBC:June16-18

• CanadaDay:July1

• SummerConcertSeries: July14,Aug 4andSept 1

• CaribbeanDaysFestival: July29-30

• BCDumplingFestival:Aug 12

• Kaleidoscope:Aug 18-19

Gotovisitcoquitlam.caforafull calendarofcommunityevents

EDIisincorporatedintheBusinessPlans thatguidetheCity’spriorities,decisions andallworkacrosstheorganization Someoftheworkunderwayincludes:

• EarningaRickHansenFoundationgranttoimproveaccessibilityat threeCityfacilities

• EarningagrantfromtheCanadianParksandRecreation Associationinsupportofaccessibleprogrammingaspartoftheir ReachingEachandEveryOneprogram

• DedicatedmulticulturalandaccessibilityCityadvisorycommittees

• SupportingCrohn’sandColitisCanada’sGoHereWashroomAccess App

• Resourcesatcoquitlam.ca/ediandcoquitlam.ca/multicultural

• Staffeducation,trainingandresourcesonvarietyofdiversity topics

• Updatingrecruitmentandretentionpoliciesandpracticesto increaseinclusionandremovebarriers

• Personalleaveconsiderationsforelectedofficialstoremove barriersandencouragediversecandidatesinlocaloffice.

HateHasNoPlaceinCoquitlam

Residentsborn outsideof Canada

Non-Indigenous languages spokenathome

46% 80+ 52%

Topthreenon-Canadaplaces oforigin:

China(9%)

SouthKorea(6%)

Iran(5%)

Homeswhere Englishis primarily spoken

Topthreenon-English languagesspokeathome: Chineselanguages(13%)

Korean(6%)

IranianPersian(4%)

Coquitlamhasdevelopedthefollowingstatementofallyship,aword thatdescribesactivesupportforpeopleorgroupswhohavebeen historicallymarginalized:

“Allyshipisnotaone-timeaction,itisajourneyofsupport,learning andcommitment Thisisajourneythatwe,asanorganization,are alsoembarkingonwithpurpose,whilekeepingthesafetyofour residentsandcommunitytopofmind

TheCityofCoquitlamcondemnshateinallforms Wearecommitted toprovidingawelcomingandinclusiveenvironmentforall,including peoplefromequity-deservinggroupssuchasLGBTQ2S+,racialized anddisabilitycommunities”

CitybacksBurkeresidentonquarryconcerns

A company extracting rock from a quarry in Northeast Coquitlam wants to expand its mining operations

Heidelberg Materials

(Lehigh Hanson) recently submitted its bid to the B C government to widen its site next to the Pitt River, north of Minnekhada Regional Park

According to its permit application, which is now in the review stage and can be seen in full at the Poirier branch of the Coquitlam Public Library, the Heidelberg Cement Group states its 23 5-ha Gilley’s Quarry will soon be exhausted

It wants to release another 13 6 million tonnes of rock from a forested 11 5-ha

site to the southwest of the current pit an increase of nearly 50 per cent to its boundary area

Heidelberg states that the original grant issued 40 years ago “had set out a permitted mining boundary that [it] has still not completely disturbed and recovered”

As well, the company wants to boost its permitted annual tonnage of rock from one million to 1 5 million

And Heidelberg is seeking to add more settling ponds to its site to wash the excavated rock before it’s taken away by barge, or truck via Quarry Road About 10 per cent of its haul is by truck, the company stated

On Monday (March 25), Burke Mountain resident

Renato Spano spoke at Coquitlam City Hall to voice concern about the mining expansion proposal and its environmental impacts, as well as the safety implications for drivers on Quarry Road a narrow gravel route that twists and turns over hills

Council-in-committee and city staff were in step with his words, saying they will make their comments known to both Heidelberg and the province

In his photo slide show, Spano described Quarry Road as “like the wild west” with unsafe vehicles and “illegal” equipment being used for the mining operations

He also showed images of heavy trucks off the road and

turned over in the ditch

Spano also said Heidelberg doesn’t follow city rules for work, claiming the company and its contractors work beyond its posted hours of 6 a m to 10 p m seven days a week He said neighbours have been calling for action for years, but the company doesn’t listen Last week, the Tri-City News asked Heidelberg Materials and mine manager Robert Sims for comment; however, they did not respond Coun Craig Hodge, Coquitlam’s representative on the Metro Vancouver regional parks committee, asked the city’s engineering head if the design for the new Quarry Road, which is

being updated to accommodate traffic for the expansion of Metro’s Widgeon Marsh Regional Park, took into account the mining expansion

Jaime Boan, general manager of engineering and public works, said additional truck traffic from Gilley’s Quarry wasn’t part of the plans “It seems this will undo a lot of the [road] work,” Hodge quipped

Still, Boan said the truck traffic increase will be minimal if the expansion is approved, with a total of 27 loads a day “It’s not like a constant stream of trucks "

Deputy city manager Raul Allueva confirmed city bylaw officers and RCMP are aware of traffic issues along Quarry Road and “we are respond-

ing the best that we can”

Mayor Richard Stewart was clear with his direction to the province:“With this property, we could avoid trucking by ensuring that the materials coming off this mine are sent out almost exclusively by barge”

In operation since 1982 on private and Crown land, Gilley’s Quarry includes blasting, crushing, screening and stockpiling granodiorite hard rock to make drain rock, rip rap and road base aggregates

Heidelberg’s Notice of Work submission to B C’s Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation states that, as of January 2021, there was 2 89 million tonnes left in the current pit

LeaseforSureStayHotelextendeduntilMarch31,2024

A total of 29 residents can continue to live at an emergency response centre in Coquitlam after a lease extension was inked

Last Wednesday (March 22), BC Housing confirmed the year-long extension for the homeless tenants at the SureStay Hotel, a former Best Western facility at 725

Brunette Ave

Staff from the Phoenix Drug and Alcohol Recovery and Education Society will also continue as the operator; Phoenix also runs the Emergency Winter Shelter (EWS) at the Kyle Centre in Port Moody “The SureStay Hotel in Coquitlam has been a valuable temporary

housing solution in support of people at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness in the Tri-Cities since the start of the pandemic,” Tim Chamberlin, senior communications advisor with BC Housing, told the News The agency declined to name the hotel owner due to a confidentiality clause

in the lease agreement, or the lease costs, but the Provincial Rental Housing Corporation is a partner

BC Housing said it will keep discussions open with the City of Coquitlam, as well as the cities of Port Coquitlam and Port Moody, and other stakeholders to find supportive

housing for Tri-City people at risk or without homes

Meanwhile, the rotation for the winter shelter program at six Tri-City churches ends on Friday

The temporary accommodation ran through the Progressive Housing Society at these sites:

• Trinity United, Port

Coquitlam: Oct 1–31

• Calvary Baptist, Coquitlam: Nov 1–30

• Trinity United: Dec 1–31

• St Laurence Anglican Coquitlam: Jan 1–31

• Trinity United: Feb 1–28

• Coquitlam Alliance, Coquitlam March 1–31

Notice of Public Hearing & Public Input Opportunity

Immediately following adjournment of the Public Hearing the Regular Council Meeting will reconvene and Council may give consideration to the below bylaws and the development variance permit during the regular Council Meeting.

The Intent of Bylaw No. 4303, 2023, is to amend City of Port Coquitlam Zoning Bylaw No 3630, 2008, to rezone the subject property as outlined in black on the map marked Schedule “A” to Bylaw 4303. 2023, from RS1 (Residential Single Dwelling 1) to RS4 (Residential Single Dwelling 4).

If approved, this application will facilitate a two-lot subdivision.

Amendment

Bylaw No. 4304, 2023

1791 Langan Avenue

The Intent of Bylaw No 4304, 2023, is to amend City of Port Coquitlam Zoning Bylaw No 3630, 2008, to rezone the subject properties as outlined in black on the map marked Schedule “A” to Bylaw 4304, 2023, from RS1 (Residential Single Dwelling 1) to RS4 (Residential Single Dwelling 4).

If approved, this application will facilitate a two-lot subdivision.

Item 3 - Development

3315 Osbourne Street

Variance Permit

The Intent of the Development Variance Permit (DVP00090) application is to vary the minimum lot frontage requirements of the subject property as outlined in black on the map.

If approved, this application would enable the subdivision of an irregularly shaped property into two single residential lots

Inspection of Documents

Subject Property

To view copies of the supporting documents (staff reports, bylaws and DVP’s) visit portcoquitlam.ca/publichearings

Submit Your Comments

In order to afford Council the opportunity to review your comments in advance of the Public Hearing and Public Input Opportunity please forward your submission prior to noon on the day of the Public Hearing and Public Input Opportunity by: Email: publichearings@portcoquitlam.ca or Mail: Corporate Office, City of Port Coquitlam 2580 Shaughnessy St , Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 2A8

*Written submissions, including names and addresses (Street and City only) will become part of the public record and will be published on the City’s website and available at the Corporate Office for public inspection.

Speaking at Public Hearing & Public Input Opportunities

Participate in person at the Public Hearing or Public Input Opportunity on/at the date, time, and location noted above

For further information please visit: portcoquitlam.ca/publichearings or email: corporateoffice@portcoquitlam.ca.

Schedule “A” to Bylaw No. 4304

Schedule “A” to Bylaw No. 4303

Online Auction

Raising funds to support families through grief and loss

APRIL 5-16, 2023

Thelastlaugh

MARIO BARTEL mbartel@tricitynews.com

The curtain has fallen on the Giggle Dam dinner theatre in downtown Port Coquitlam

Closed in February because of a “business dispute,” the comedy performance venue had generated laughs and good times for 21 years

Last Wednesday (March 22), its contents and fixtures were on display for buyers interested in participating in an online auction scheduled

to run the next day

The items, most of which were being sold in large lots, range from barware to musical instruments to thousands of empty beer cans and an entire wardrobe room filled with colourful costumes, shoes and even wigs

Through the morning, a steady trickle of visitors wandered amidst the detritus in the darkened theatre Some reminisced about the good times they’d enjoyed there Some were former employees A few took careful measure of the items available for purchase

Clockwise from top left, a passerby on Shaughnessy Street checks out the darkened Giggle Dam dinner theatre. Wigs aplenty A hat hints at past fun times. Props and décor all up for auction. MARIO BARTEL/TRI-

Urbanindustrialgrowthisthefuture:report

Consultant says city could become next False Creek Flats

MARIO BARTEL

mbartel@tricitynews.com

Port Moody’s industrial land base is limited and its industrial buildings are aging

Last Tuesday (March 21) council’s strategic priorities committee endorsed a plan to intensify and maximize the use of its existing industrial lands, as recommended in a report presented by the Vann Struth Consulting Group

According to the report, Port Moody has 1 355 million sq ft of developed industrial floor space that accounts for about 1,400 jobs But the average building is 44 years old and their floor area ratios are lower than current standards

Without large tracts of available industrial land and ready transportation access, the city is unlikely to attract big distribution and manufacturing businesses that are finding their way to cities like Port Coquitlam, Burnaby, Surrey and Chilliwack

Instead, Vann Struth’s zoning consultant Bruce Anderson told the com-

mittee, Port Moody should pursue zoning strategies to allow more urban industrial development that combines office, retail, light industrial and even a residential component on upper floors

He added Murray Street and the neighbourhood around the Moody Centre SkyTrain station are particularly suitable to such mixed uses

Vann Struth principal, Jamie Vann Struth, said

in his report while urban industrial development is already occurring along Murray Street, it could be further encouraged by increasing the ratio for accessory retail space to 50 per cent of floor area from the current 25 per cent As well, there’s an opportunity to encourage development of a complementary arts and entertainment area on Esplanade Avenue adjacent to the Brewers Row and west

of Rocky Point Park

“A unique cultural area in Port Moody is developing here and should be encouraged," said the report

Other areas of Port Moody suitable for urban industrial development include the Clarke Street corridor and the north end of Moray Street, above St Johns Street, as well as properties immediately south of the former Reichhold Chemicals site that is now occupied by

Polynt Coating

Vann Struth told the committee the city has a lot going for it to attract industrial businesses, including convenient access to transit and close proximity to desirable recreation and outdoor amenities

“People want to be in Port Moody,” he said

Coun Haven Lurbiecki said the city needs leverage those advantages to attract new industrial businesses

“A diversified tax base is critical,” she said “The key to ensuring a prosperous future for our city is not to become a high-rise bedroom community "

Coun Kyla Knowles agreed

“We need to expand our industrial tax base,” she said

But Coun Callan Morrison cautioned an over-zealous pursuit of urban industrial development could miss the mark if steps aren’t incorporated to ensure industrial spaces don't become so expensive they limit the kinds of tenants who could afford them, like artists, or they just end up becoming retail spaces

“We have to be aware that the end use of the spaces provided may kill the industrial area”

Coun Diana Dilworth said Port Moody’s industrial strategy should also

consider the potential of the north shore, which has rail access and a waterfront deep enough to allow large ships to berth

In his report, Vann Struth said for the strategy to have teeth Port Moody needs to create a favourable environment for developers and businesses so they have clarity on the city’s intentions and requirements He said that can be achieved with several initiatives:

• Create a clear approvals process for investment and development

• Consider changes to current light industrial zoning to transition to more light industrial uses

• Improve promotion of Port Moody’s amenity advantages to outside investors as well as local companies interested in intensified use of their current properties

• Work with the owners of existing industrial properties to identify emerging opportunities

• Pursue opportunities to create artist studio space in older, repurposed industrial buildings

• Bring tax rates for light industrial properties more in line with those for commercial properties

• Support transportation improvements to make it easier for staff to commute and goods to move

Esplanade Avenue, between Murray Street and Rocky Point Park, has the potential to become a unique arts and entertainment district, says a consultant's report on Port Moody's industrial future. MARIO BARTEL/TRI-CITY NEWS

LastWeek t

B.C.lacksthepowertomeetitsclimategoals

The B C government has set some lofty goals when it comes to fighting climate change, but it is far from clear if at least two of them can be realistically attained

One is the requirement that up to six liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects be “net zero emissions” through electrification; the other is that by the year 2030, 90 per cent of all new light vehicle purchases in the province must be electronic vehicles

Both ambitious targets raise an obvious question: where is all this new clean electricity going to

come from, especially over a relatively short period of time?

A provocative new paper published this past weekend by former senior civil servant Richard McCandless examines this very question, and the government likely won’t enjoy his conclusions McCandless’ research is mostly about those six LNG projects, which he says will require an amount of electricity that far exceeds what BC Hydro is currently planning to produce over the time frame of construction and operation.

He says while BC Hydro is planning to increase its output by 3,800 gigawatt hours (GWh), the LNG projects alone will require 18,500 GWh

“Without the generation of much more hydroelectricity, or other forms of clean power, the equation does not add up,” McCandless wrote

The Site C dam, when it comes fully onstream by 2026, will provide an additional 5,100 GWh but the shortfall is still so immense that McCandless estimates it can only be covered by building an additional three or four Site

C-like hydro dams

The B C government’s clean-energy plan also requires that 90 per cent of all new light vehicles sold in B.C must be zero emission vehicles by 2030. BC Hydro estimates by that time there will be 350,000 such vehicles on B C roads, consuming about 1050 GWh annually

Of course, there are other enormous challenges facing the mass use of EVs other than just the supply of electricity to power them

Chief among them is that Canada has little control over

the supply chain that makes this kind of vehicle

There are other challenges for meeting the target for mass EV use, notably their high purchase cost and a lack of charging infrastructure, although these will likely improve over time

Climate change is real and bold action must be taken.

But as we have seen in many other instances, setting lofty goals when it comes to fighting climate change is one thing Attaining them is quite another Keith Baldrey is the chief political reporter for Global BC

Falkenberg EDITOR editor@tricitynews.com

Magnison REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR vimagnison@glaciermedia.ca

McKinnon CREATIVE SERVICES MANAGER mmckinnon@tricitynews.com

Seguin DISTRIBUTION MANAGER circulation@tricitynews.com

Empty-nestersjustwantplacesoftheirown

The Editor: I write to the readers regarding the housing shortage in Greater Vancouver

While I sit here in my nearly empty detached house as a divorced, semi-retired woman, I snicker at the politicians who have not taken a closer look at the percentage of empty-nesters who occupy these large detached houses with fenced back yards, and why they have not downsized so that they can free up the inventory of houses for families who actually need them

Instead, the cities work closely with developers to approve 3,000+ sq ft detached houses on land the

size of a paper napkin so they can tax them $5,000+ annually

Many retirees in detached homes have either legal or illegal suites that supplement

City of Coquitlam NOTICE OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION

The City has received an application to amend the Citywide Official Community Plan (OCP) relating to the properties located at 1296 and 1298 Johnson Street

The application proposes to change the designation from One Family Residential to Townhousing The City has also received associated applications for Rezoning, Subdivision (lot consolidation) and a Development Permit

If approved, the amendment would facilitate the development of approximately 24 townhouse units with 53 parking stalls on-site.

You are invited to provide input to Council with respect to the above-noted application.

The City of Coquitlam will be receiving input up to April 12, 2023 Written correspondence can be provided in one of the following ways:

• Email: clerks@coquitlam ca with “Section 475 – PROJ 22-051” in the subject line;

• Regular mail: City Clerk’s Office, 2nd Floor, 3000 Guildford Way, Coquitlam, BC, V3B 7N2;

• In person: Attn: City Clerk’s Office – please place in one of two City Hall drop boxes (3000 Guildford Way, Coquitlam), located at the underground parking entrance or by the main entrance facing Burlington Drive;

• Fax: to the City Clerk’s Office at 604-927-3015

Submissions provided in response to this consultation, including names and addresses, will become part of the public record which includes the submissions

their pensions

It’s what we’ve had to do when faced with divorces, pay for our children’s university educations or just live a quality of life that we deserved after living 60+ years

We have become accustomed to this cash flow

With the increase in strata fees now at over $450/month based on unit entitlement for a 1,000 sq ft unit, and no cash flow from rental income, downsizing to a condominium is not financially lucrative

I do not want to watch the equity left over from the sale of my home dwindle away and experience financial insecurity in 10 years from now when my savings have

all gone to strata fees and to supplement my pension because of the absence of cash flow from rental income

The answer is very simple: Create large communities for seniors (55+) with no amenities so that the strata fees are reasonable and won’t eat into our pensions or the remaining equity of the detached house we sell to downsize preferably duplex ranchers so that we can still have our gardens and peace and quiet

If the city designed large communities for empty-nesters and seniors, you will see a large shift in inventory of detached houses for sale

I doubt the city would

ever approve of this plan because the land would not produce as much revenue in tax

So we just sit quietly in our detached houses that provide us passive cash flow from secondary suites, have privacy, a garden and don’t have to listen or watch children on playgrounds scream and cry

Politicians don’t see that the answer to the housing crisis is right in front of them

Stop building developments for families and start building them for empty-nesters

Then we will sell our detached homes M. Deeley Port Coquitlam

being made available for public inspection at Coquitlam City Hall (at the Planning and Development counter) and potentially on the City’s website as part of a future agenda package at www.coquitlam.ca/agendas.

Additional information about this application can be accessed by contacting Edison Ting, Planner 2, Planning and Development Department, at ETing@coquitlam.ca.

Should Council decide to approve this application going to a Public Hearing, notification for the hearing will be completed in accordance with the Local Government Act.

Retirees are staying in their single-family homes because they have no place else to go that suits their income and lifestyles, says

Transittakesneighbourhoodinanewdirection

Land assemblies

squeezing out longtime residents

DIANE STRANDBERG dstrandberg@tricitynews.com

A Coquitlam neighbourhood is in transition due to its proximity to Burquitlam Station on the Millennium Line Oakdale, settled in the mid-1800s as a community of small farms and later a 1960s-era neighbourhood close to schools and Burquitlam Plaza has begun the change to become a denser community of low-rise developments to

the north and towers closer to the transit station In February 2020,

Coquitlam City Council approved bylaws for the Oakdale Landuse

Development Update and an Oakdale Transportation Network Update after residents were presented with density options in 2019 Nestled at the foot of Burnaby Mountain and close to the busy North Road/Clarke Road corridor, the community is a hidden gem between Burnaby to the west and Port Moody to the north

To a Gardena Drive resident, and retired School District 43 maintenance worker, the change to Oakdale was inevitable once SkyTrain cars started shuttling back and forth between Coquitlam and Burnaby on the Millennium Line “People have to live

somewhere,” said the longtime resident who asked that his name not be published Out walking his dog, Milo, the Oakdale resident said he participated in the city’s consultation for the Oakdale plan

What’s happened since, with all the development in the works, is not surprising, he said, because the neighbourhood is so convenient and people need transit to get to work

Still, it’s a bit of a shock to drive through the neighbourhood close to where this land sale recently took place

With so many homes boarded up, and a nearby soccer field looking under

utilized, it looks like a bit of a ghost town

However, Greater Heights Learning Academy still operates a school at the former Burquitlam Elementary School at 550 Thompson Ave that closed in 2003

There is also a sign declaring the Oakdale Protected Habitat next to a small forest while another sign shows the location of the Pin Oak footpath that Oakdale neighbours fought to prevent blacktopping in 2013

As well, there are still some homes that are occupied, providing a little bit of life on the streets, which don’t have sidewalks

An Oakdale neighbourhood resident walks his dog along properties set to be redeveloped. DIANE STRANDBERG/TCN

ArtshowsopenatPdA,twosoulsingersperform

Friday, March 31

UTILITY BILLS

Homeowners in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam have until the end of the business day today to pay their utility bills The flat annual levies for water and sewer can be paid online, at the bank or at city hall Penalties apply if the payment is received after March 31

MORE: coquitlam.ca/ portcoquitlam.ca

PLANET Z

Families can learn about the environment in a science fiction play called Crisis On Planet Z, a Monster Theatre production that runs from 7 to 9 p m at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam)

Tickets are $10

MORE: evergreenculturalcentre.ca

ART SHOWS

Meet the artists and curators behind the four new exhibits opening tonight at Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Ave , Coquitlam): Coquitlam Heritage Society presents Corner Stores; Alex Sandvoss has oil paintings in I want to think about feminism, but I have to think about climate change; Jeongmin Ahn displays oil works for Trash; and Vin Arora has ceramics

in Meltdown: The Second Wave The opening reception starts at 7 p m

MORE: placedesarts.ca

VINYL PARTY

The band Vinyl takes the stage at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 263 (1025 Ridgeway Ave , Coquitlam) for a show tonight and April 1 starting at 7 p m ; legion membership is not required for Saturday night

MORE: rclegion263.ca

INLET MUSIC

Vancouver soul singer Dawn Pemberton performs with her band (Derek DiFilippo, Gavin Youngash, Jonny Tobin and Paul Clark) at Port Moody City Hall (100 Newport Dr) at 7:30 p m as part of the Inlet Theatre Music Series created by

PoMo musicians Bill Sample and Darlene Cooper Tickets for the show in the Inlet Theatre are $30 plus tax MORE: eventbrite.ca

Saturday, April 1

BLACKOUT POEMS

Mark Poetry Month with a take-home craft bag courtesy of the Coquitlam Public Library Visit the City Centre (1169 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) or Poirier (575 Poirier St , Coquitlam) branches to collect a blackout poetry activity using recycled materials from the library collection And once you’ve created a poem, take a photo and submit your entry by email The top poems in each category will be voted on via an online survey; the winners will

be announced on April 21 Blackout bags are available until April 15

MORE: coqlibrary.ca

REPAIR CAFE

Take your small household appliances, bikes and clothes in for fixing at the monthly Repair Cafe, held from 10 a m to 2 p m at the City of Port Coquitlam’s public works yard (1737 Broadway St , Port Coquitlam)

MORE: facebook.com/ repaircafepoco

WRITERS' CORNER

Join author Amber Cowie for a talk titled Finding Space for Creativity at the Tri-City Wordsmiths’ gathering in the Program Room at the Terry Fox Library (2150 Wilson Ave , Port Coquitlam) The event, which runs from 1:30 to 4 p m , is in person and via Zoom

MORE: tri-citywordsmiths.ca

FUNNY HA HA

The Port Coquitlambased Gaby Davis Foundation, which raises money for families with a young cancer patient, hosts its 5th annual Comedy Night gala The Laughing Matters fundraiser features Charlie Demers as the headliner and John Cullen as emcee; Randee Neumeyer and

Sophia Johnson are also on stage at the Inlet Theatre (100 Newport Dr, Port Moody) There will be a silent auction and balloon pop as well Doors open at 6 p m for a cocktail reception (cash bar) with the show starting at 7:30 p m Tickets are $50

MORE: gabydavisfoundation.com/604-464-4229

BLUES, JAZZ

Award-wining singer and musical theatre triple threat

Krystle Dos Santos entertains with a five-piece band at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) at 7:30 p m as part of the facility’s TD Music Series Tickets are $35/$32/$16

MORE: evergreenculturalcentre.ca

SALSA TIME

Alberto Gonzalez and Teresa Szefler of the Hot Salsa Dance Zone return to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 113 (2675 Shaughnessy St , Port Coquitlam) for a Salsa lesson for beginners at 8 p m , and dance party from 9 p m to midnight Admission is $15

MORE: hotsalsadancezone com

Sunday, April 2

TENNIS, ANYONE?

Learn about tennis and

swing a racket with the Coquitlam Tennis Club, which will host an open house from 1 to 4 p m at the clubhouse at Town Centre Park (1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam)

MORE: coquitlamtennis. org

HAPPY SPRING

Celebrate the start of spring with the Iranian community at the Sizdah Be-Dar family gathering at Gates Park (2300 Reeve St , Port Coquitlam) from 1 to 6 p m Known as Nature’s Day, Sizdah Be-dar is on the 13th day of Farvardin the first month of the Iranian calendar when people picnic outdoors, marking the end of the Nowruz holidays Organized by Medi Tavassol and the Tri-City Futsal Academy, the event is sponsored by the City of Port Coquitlam and the PoCo Community Foundation

MORE: tricityfutsal ca

FAMILIES @ PDA

Take the kids to Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Ave , Coquitlam) to explore the galleries and make crafts during the venue’s Family Day from 1 to 3 p m All ages are welcome Admission is free; however, registration is encouraged via Eventbrite ca

MORE: placedesarts ca

Easter Egg Hunts: 10:45 am - 5 years and under 11:15 am - 6 years and over

Johnathan Desmond's image of Euro Foods is part of the Place des Arts exhibit called Corner Stores, which is presented by the Coquitlam Heritage Society VIA PDA

Propertiessold

continued from page 17

Oakdale residents are also very protective of Stoney Creek, and have been raising concerns about potential contamination of the creek from sewage

Meanwhile, plans for development in the area continue

A proposal for a multi-storey high-rise on a property at 584–596 Kemsley Ave , 589–593 Westley Ave and 648–650 Gardena Dr is currently in the pre-application stage with the City of Coquitlam, according to the city’s online development information portal, Strand Holdings Ltd is proposing to rezone seven properties to allow for the construction of one 28-storey market residential tower and one six-storey market rental building

The sign on the property says the proposal is for 332 condo units and 132 rental units with all numbers

HolicelebrationreturnstoTownCentre

approximate and subject to change

Across the street, at 580–600 Harrison Ave and 581–601 Kemsley Ave , Qualex–Landmark has conditional approval for three six-storey apartment buildings and a four-storey stacked townhouse complex, the city’s development portal states

As for the Gardena Drive resident, he said he’s not ready yet to move from his house, where he raised his children who went to Miller Park Elementary and Banting Middle School before Burquitlam Elementary was built in 1970

Although he said he expects his property to eventually become a highrise one day, he added he’s content to just stay in the walkable neighbourhood, with his wife who grew up in Maillardville

As he told the Tri-City News: “I’m not in a hurry [to move] as long as I can get around”

City of Coquitlam CouncilMeetings

Imagine dancing with joy in your heart while being pelted with colourful powder

Now, Tri-Cities residents can experience those sights and sounds in Coquitlam later this spring

AT Colour Fest, a celebration of Holi, to be held at Town Centre Park on May

20, at 5 p m

It’ll be the first colour festival in the city since 2019 as then restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic put gatherings on hold in 2020 and 2021

In 2022, organizers decided to host a digital colour festival

Features for the fami-

ly-friendly “multi-dimensional” include live music and dance performances, a DJ, food trucks, art activities and a South Asian Night Market

As well, there’ll be a designated colour zone where festival-goers that paid for a ticket can expect to be covered with coloured

InspirationGardenWorkshops

JointheParkSparkteamforexcitinggardenworkshops attheInspirationGardeninTownCentrePark

• Composting

• LifeintheSoil

• PlantLifecycles

• PollinatorPower

• StartingfromSeed

• WormyWorkshop

• CreateaHangingBasket

• CreateaHerbContainer

• CreateaPollinatorPlanter

• CreateaSpringContainer

Formoreinformationonhowtosignup,visit coquitlam.ca/gardenandclickRegisterfor Programs.Intheonlineregistrationsystem, gotoDropIn(Pre-registered)andclickAllAges Next,opentheDropInParkSparkdropdown toseeavailableactivities,datesandtimes,or emailparkspark@coquitlam.ca

Activities

*The

JointheCoquitlamParksteamtocelebrate Coquitlam’streecanopywithsometree-rific TreeSpreeactivitieshappeninginApril, rainorshine

• TreesintheGarden

• LearnaboutPruning

• TreeTalks

• TreeWalks

• Pop-ups

Formoreinfoaboutthesefreeactivities, visitcoquitlam.ca/treespreeortoregister, emailparkspark@coquitlam.ca.

| coquitlam.ca/cib

#coquitlaminbloom

powder

Tickets are $20 plus tax for adults aged 18 and older and $17 for kids aged three to 11, and each participant will receive one powdered colour packet for the colour zone

For more information, you can visit the Colour Fest’s Eventbrite page

What’sBloomingatthe InspirationGarden?

CometotheInspirationGardenin TownCentreParkandBEEinspired!

Joinusfrom9a.m.–12p.m.onSaturdays inAprilforatourofthegarden.Enjoy tea,learnaboutgardenvolunteeringand upcomingopportunities,andmore.

Checkoutcoquitlam.ca/gardenoremail parkspark@coquitlam.catolearnabout upcomingspringgardenopportunities.

FormerTCNsalesmanager‘morethanaboss’

JANIS CLEUGH jcleugh@tricitynews.com

A former sales manager at the Tri-City News is being remembered as a mentor and community builder

Don Layfield died at his home in Maple Ridge last Tuesday (March 21)

He was 62

A sales manager for years, Layfield retired from the newspaper about eight years ago and was enjoying time with his family and friends, building furniture, fishing and hunting

He and his wife, Brenda, had recently returned from a two-month trip to Mexico, said his sister, Sandra

Born on Dec 26, 1960,

at the Royal Columbian Hospital, Layfield was the son of the late George and Helen Layfield

He grew up in Coquitlam with three siblings

Sandra, Carol and Doug and attended Glen Drive Elementary, Mary Hill Jr High School and Port Coquitlam High School, graduating in 1978

Sandra Layfield said her brother’s two passions were to build things and help people

“He was the most helpful person that you could imagine,” she said “He was kind He was a gentleman Everybody loved him”

At the News, he was best known for his stories, especially about his stepson,

We have openings, but not for long! Choose from our beautiful onebedroom suites that boast spectacular Northwest or Southeast views, modern compact kitchens and luxury plank flooring

Our suites come packaged with our exclusive PARCActive Living™ program, including a well-equipped gym, along with classes, art and cultural programs, chef-prepared cuisine, an onsite Wellness Nurse, complimentary transportation and more. You’ll find comfort and freedom combined – located in the lively urban hub of HighGate in Burnaby

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Lea; his grandsons, Colton, Hunter and Weston; and his golden retrievers, which were cast in the movie series

Air Bud

“I remember him telling stories about his younger days working on the fishing boats along the coast and all his adventures and misadventures at sea He relayed his stories with wide eyes and a wry smile,” said Mike Kingston, a graphic artist at the News

Sales rep Marianne LaRochelle said Layfield was more than a boss: He was a mentor, cheerleader and friend

“Don loved to cook and entertain Each Christmas he cooked a legendary dinner for the sales staff I can still see us sitting around his dining table laughing and celebrating life”

Layfield also made a dif-

ference outside of the office

Craig Hodge, a longtime News photographer, said Layfield believed that the local newspaper shouldn’t just report on people and events; it also had to be a part of the community

“He was very supportive of our non-profit organizations, always willing to sponsor their events and support them with free advertising,” said Hodge, who is now a Coquitlam city councillor

He added Layfield was also generous with his time to serve on various boards and help organize community events

“Many of today’s signature events and non-profit organizations owe a deep gratitude to Don who was there when they were just getting established”

A date for a memorial has yet to be confirmed

TheLutheranChurchesofCoquitlaminviteyou

Spiritualist Alliance

AS WE AGE Celebrating Seniors

Helpingoutbringsphysicalandmentalrewards

MARGARET COATES

newsroom@tricitynews.com

Lately I have been hearing about the need for volunteers from several organizations

During COVID-19, the rate of volunteering plummeted because of the various protocols in place to keep us safe, such as social distancing and isolating However, now that the pandemic is no longer so threatening, volunteers are needed more than ever as programs and services have reopened in organizations that work with seniors

Though Volunteer Awareness week is April 16 to 22, I thought I would put in an early pitch, since there is an immediate need to re-

cruit volunteers

As we know, volunteering is good for the community and good for us

On the Volunteer Canada website, they say,

“Volunteering is a fundamental act of good citizenship It’s also essential in our society”

According to their theme for Volunteer Week,

“Volunteering weaves us together, strengthening the fabric of our community by sharing our time, talent, and energy to support one another”

The Conference Board of Canada, in a presentation in 2018, said, “Though volunteers are unpaid, their contribution adds to economic activity through the value of services provided”

They estimated “volunteers added over two billion hours to Canada’s work effort in 2017 and that this volunteer contribution is valued at $55 9 billion in 2017 equivalent to 2 6 per cent of GDP”

For an individual, the benefits of volunteering include physical and mental

rewards

Interaction with others increases (always important to keep from us from becoming isolated) We are afforded opportunities to learn and gain knowledge and to share talents and wisdom gained through a lifetime of experience We will feel an increase in our self esteem and a sense of satisfaction We will feel more empowered and valued

Volunteering provides wonderful opportunities to give back to the community

When you retire, you might find yourself at loose ends with little to keep you busy

Volunteering can make the transition from paid employment easier by

offering opportunities to stay connected to community in a meaningful way

Volunteering can be an important part of a healthy, active retired life

Volunteers must be treated well and be incentivized to keep working through recognition programs and the provision of opportunities to grow

If a volunteer gets bored or does not feel appreciated, they probably will not stay in the position

Organizations that have a volunteer program often say without volunteers assisting in providing programs and services, the valuable work of the organization is un-

Organizations are always in need of volunteers to fill a variety of roles, including driving cancer patients to appointments. VOLUNTEER CANCER DRIVERS SOCIETY

AS WE AGE Celebrating Seniors

Positionsstillunfilled

continued from page 22

likely to get done at the level that is needed

It is said that for every staff person in a non profit there are 10 volunteers helping them It’s true that most organizations could not afford the staffing levels required to do the work

Because people are not taking up the available volunteer opportunities in the community in the way they did pre COVID-19, various positions are going unfilled

I have heard that orga-

nizations badly need bus drivers and individual drivers, office and food service workers, crafters, wood workers, gardeners, docents, committee and board members, computer techs and greeters

There are many more positions and, in our community, there is probably a position to fit anyone’s fancy

Some people may still be reluctant about getting back out into the community in face-to-face situations In that case check with organizations to see if they have

a friendly phoning (from your home) program, or any other program which does not require close in person contact

Volunteering is fun did I mention that? I volunteer and as well as feeling rewarded for my efforts, I have a great time

Try it you might like it

To learn about local volunteering opportunities, you can visit Community Volunteer Connections at volunteerconnections.ca. Or contact an organization you’d like to help directly.

Cancerdriversdeliverpatients

A non-profit organization that helps cancer patients get to their appointments safely, on time and without cost is calling for help

On Monday (March 27), the Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society (VCDS) launched a campaign to recruit 100 new drivers in 100 days

The need for drivers is especially urgent in the Tri-Cities, Burnaby, New Westminster, Vancouver and Richmond

VCDS president Bob Smith said the group can’t meet demand; this year, it’s expected to get 29,000 ride requests from cancer patients across the region

“We believe access to essential cancer treatment shouldn’t be an additional burden for cancer patients and their families,” Smith said

Candidates must:

• be at least 21 years old with five years of driving experience

• have a trustworthy ve-

hicle with at least $3 million in third-party liability insurance

• be a good listener, empathetic and reliable

• be double vaccinated against COVID-19

• provide a criminal record check

Volunteer drivers receive a vehicle allowance of 55 cents per kilometre, as well as complimentary parking at cancer centres

To apply, visit volunteercancerdrivers ca and fill out the online form

BIZWIRE

RockSchoolgradrebrandsasTerryMaple

JANIS CLEUGH

jcleugh@tricitynews.com

At the start of 2020, Spencer Hargreaves was looking for inspiration and “a new life”

A Terry Fox Secondary graduate (Class of 2007), who had found his groove in the Port Coquitlam school’s Rock School program under Juno award-winning teacher Steve Sainas, Hargreaves had wrapped up a SOCANfunded songwriting residency in Finland and had just settled in Berlin, where he was about to start a gig as an English and music teacher, when he got news from his German employer: Go home; the work is gone

The COVID-19 pandemic had shut down the world and Hargreaves returned to his mother’s Coquitlam home to wait, like everyone, for everything to get back to normal

He looked around his studio and started to organize He signed up for vocal lessons He collected his notes about teaching music and compiled a curriculum called Tree of Music

And he immersed himself in self-help therapy, hoping to untangle years of thoughts and emotions about growing up in a home with tension,

being bullied at school and longing for connection and community again like he and his friends experienced at Rock School

On one of the walls of his updated studio, he

pinned two images of Port Coquitlam’s hometown hero, Terry Fox, a symbol representing perseverance and Canadian strength

At high school, he said, the students are reminded

each day about Fox’s determination With that in mind, Hargreaves a former guitar teacher at Long & McQuade Music in Port Coquitlam rebranded himself professionally as

“Terry Maple” and opened up his space, Maple Trail Studios, to accept guitar students and songwriters wanting to record

To further express his individuality, he hung 22 gui-

tars on another studio wall, some that he inherited from his late step-father and from the late dad of his friend, Noah Jordan

Having the instruments displayed remind him of his journey and dedication to his craft; he’s hoping students who may also be feeling disconnected will find creativity as he did

“I feel like I’m still on a path of self-discovery,” he said “I’m trying to be authentic I’m coming from a very real place I think many people are also trying to figure things out”

Still, his goal with teaching and engineering music at Maple Trail Studios is not only to help students with their artistic pursuits, but also to pay forward the lessons he and his friends found in the Rock School program under Sainas: Be intentional and set goals

Last week, he finished his first song as Terry Maple, which he hopes to release on an album next year

“I am now happy to see that my good friend, Spencer, is re-launching his exciting music career under his new brand, Terry Maple both as a performing singer/songwriter and music educator,” Sainas said “I wish him all the best for continued success”

Spencer Hargreaves, who goes professionally by the name Terry Maple, in the music studio that he opened last year His guitar collection includes instruments inherited from his late step-father and Larry Jordan, the late dad of his best friend, Noah. MARIO BARTEL/TRI-CITY NEWS

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City of Coquitlam

NOTICE OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION

The City has received an application for a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) for the property located at 622 Kemsley Avenue The applicant is requesting a TUP to permit the operation of a temporary residential sales centre. This TUP would expire on April 3, 2026.

You are invited to provide input to Council relative to this application. Additional information related to this application, including a copy of the permit, may be inspected from Friday, March 17, 2023 to Monday, April 3, 2023 at the City’s Planning and Development Department, 3000 Guildford Way, Coquitlam, BC during the hours of 8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday excluding statutory holidays.

You may also obtain more information on this application by contacting the file manager Jamieson Pritchard, Planning and Development Department, at JPritchard@coquitlam.ca.

This application will be forwarded to Council for consideration on Monday, April 3, 2023 The Regular Council Meeting, at which the application will be considered, starts at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, which is located at 3000 Guildford Way, Coquitlam, BC.

Instructions and registration information for participating in the meeting can be found at www.coquitlam.ca/publicnotices. Should you wish to address Council regarding this application, we encourage you to register as far in advance of the meeting as possible The City Clerk’s Office will compile a speakers list for each item Everyone will

be permitted to speak at the Public Consultation but those who have registered in advance will be given first opportunity.

If you would like to provide written input, please submit your comments to the attention of the City Clerk’s Office, in one of the following ways:

• Email: clerks@coquitlam ca with “TUP – PROJ 22-162” in the subject line;

• Fax: to the City Clerk’s Office at 604-927-3015; or

• In person: Attn: City Clerk’s Office, City Hall at 3000 Guildford Way:

• To the City Clerk’s Office front desk, which is located on the second floor of City Hall; or

• Place in either one of two City Hall drop boxes located at the underground parking entrance or by the main entrance facing Burlington Drive

To afford Council an opportunity to review your submission, please ensure that you forward it to the City Clerk’s Office prior to noon on the day of the hearing Please note that the drop boxes will be emptied shortly after 12:00 p.m. and not checked again prior to the hearing

Submissions provided in response to this consultation, including your name and address, will become part of the public record and will be made available for public inspection at Coquitlam City Hall and on the City’s website at www.coquitlam.ca/ agendas.

Please note that interested parties may only speak to the issues covered by the TUP

Social injustices in the spotlight for Sandvoss

“The New Green Deal,” a painting that features multiple versions of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is part of a new exhibit that opens Friday (March 31) in Coquitlam called I want to think about feminism, but I have to think about climate change. Created by Surrey artist Alex Sandvoss, the collection of a dozen oil works aims to challenge the viewer to question the world. Using public figures like Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell and Elon Musk, Sandvoss portrays world leaders whom she feels need to be held accountable. Still, she also highlights “change makers” such as Naomi Klein and Noam Chomsky who are sparking conversation. A self-taught artist, Sandvoss discovered her creative talent while studying music at McGill University in Montreal. Her debut show The Faces We Pass by Every Day focused on people living in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Canada and, in 2020, Sandvoss came out with The Influencer, which zeroed in on another social issue: the impact of fast fashion. The opening reception for I want is at Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam) from 7 to 9 p.m. Her exhibit can be seen in the Leonore Peyton Salon until May 25.

ALEX SANDVOSS

For more photos follow us on Instagram #tricitynews

Hockeyplayerisabouttosingadifferenttune

Mark Ledlin is one of eight finalists in SiriusXM contest

MARIO BARTEL

mbartel@tricitynews.com

Mark Ledlin has spent a lifetime getting ready for the biggest opportunity to advance his musical aspirations by banging and crashing opponents on the ice

The 25-year-old graduate of Dr Charles Best Secondary School in Coquitlam just wrapped his eighth season of playing professional hockey in Germany the past two with the Rostock Piranhas in the second division German Oberliga

But without a contract for next season, Ledlin is focusing his attention on developing a music career that received a big boost three years ago when he appeared on the German version of the reality show, The Voice

And he could be poised for a breakout with the release of his first EP this summer and an opportunity to compete as one of eight semi-finalists in SiriusXM radio’s fifth annual Top of the Country competition

Today (March 30), Ledlin is heading into a studio to record an acoustic version of

an original song he’s written and composed

The songs and videos of all eight semi-finalists from across Canada are then posted online for fans to vote for their favourite

The winner receives $25,000, as well as industry mentorship and a song writing trip to Nashville

Ledlin said playing hockey in front of thousands of fans has steeled him for

the pressure of being on top of his singing game in the recording studio

It’s also given him the confidence and self-awareness to find his voice

“I’ve had moments on the ice where I’ve screwed up and there’s 4,000 people watching,” Ledlin said “I can be myself on the ice and on stage, but nobody tries to fight you on stage”

Ledlin said music has

always been a part of his life: His dad, Fred, who also played pro hockey for 13 seasons in Germany, is an accomplished guitarist himself

Mark Ledlin said he learned to play watching YouTube videos then started posting videos of his own music from his apartment during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic as he awaited hockey to

resume

That led to Ledlin’s appearance on The Voice And while he didn’t advance, he impressed the judges enough to earn an invitation to the show’s “Comeback Stage”

Ledlin said until now, music has mostly been a way to fill the time between practices and games As the end of his hockey career comes within sight, he’s drawing

from his experiences as a professional athlete to fuel his creativity

Ledlin said his blue-collar existence toiling year to year for contracts in hockey’s outskirts, far from the bright lights and big arenas of the NHL or even the German first division, brought him to country music’s soulful sounds

“I’ve had to learn how to do everything myself since I was 17,” he said “I put that into the music Every song I write comes from the heart”

Ledlin said his teammates have been supportive of his musical journey

“Some of my biggest fans are the guys I play with,” he said “They’re always asking me to play songs for them”

But as Ledlin prepares to pull off his skates and elbow pads and put on a flannel shirt and cowboy boots, he’s feeling like an underdog all over again

And that’s not necessarily a bad place for an athlete to be

“I’ve been a pro since I was 17,” he said “I’m going to make some noise in the music world That’s my destiny, that’s my drive If it’s hockey or music, I find a way to get to the end”

To learn more about the artists and Top of the Country competition, go to the SiriusXM website

Coquitlam’s Mark Ledlin has played been playing pro hockey in Germany for eight seasons, the past two in the second division Oberliga ROSTOCK PIRANHAS PHOTO

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Obituaries

Obituaries

Call or email to reserve your space, Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm: 604-362-0586 • 604-653-7851

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Obituaries

LOGAN, Edna Amelia

January 21, 1931 - March 21, 2023

REED, Inge

DENISON, Vickie Lorraine

It s w th a deep sadness that we announce the sudden unexpected pass ng of V ckie Lorraine Denison She eaves behind her husband Bob of 47 5 years, daughter Sunny, son Terry, her sisters Connie, Candy, and her brothers Ron, Barry, Allen and Brent, brother n aw, Edward, n ece Erica, and nephew Er k heartbroken

Predeceased by her parents Norman and Gwendoyn, Vickie was born n Saskatchewan and moved to BC with her parents in the m d 50 s She l ved in Vancouver, Burnaby, Coqu tlam and Maple Ridge

In the very early 70’s she met her husband at one of her hobbies, of many which was ro ler skating Some of her other hobbies inc uded square danc ng, as well as motorcyc ing on her Har ey Davison It shou d be noted that her Harley was of the trail bike version She was a long time Emergency Response Foster Parent with her husband from 1979 to 1991 when she moved to Map e Ridge for over 120 ch ldren as a temporary home for up to seven days An act ve member n the commun ty as a Heart Fund Canvasser and ater as Area Coord nator for volunteers in Coquitlam as well a mu tiple t me canvasser for the Mother’s March of Dimes In the early 90 s, one of the original volunteers for the beg nn ng roots of the Map e Ridge “Friends In Need Food Bank” out of a small garage down the al ey from Be l Locksmith

Vickie had a very qu et presence and preferred to remain n the background versus the forefront She was a very sensit ve, compass onate, car ng for people around her

We would like to thank a few special peop e who helped mmensely n her final years w th her dec in ng hea th Thank you to Doctor Lea W ttenberg and her staff for helping Vick e maintain and gain back her fa l ng eyesight Also to Doctor Len Hatleid in support ng her health needs over the ast three decades

In l eu of flowers, donations can be made n her name to any one or more of Vickie’s favour te charit es: The W ldl fe Rescue n Burnaby, the BC SPCA, and the BC Heart Fund Associat on

With great sadness, surrounded by fam ly, Mom passed away peacefu ly on March 21 2023 at the age of 92, ust one day shy of her 72nd wedding anniversary Mom was predeceased by her father Tom, mother May, and her three s sters, Grace, Pearl, and A ice Mom and Dad were wed on March 22, 1951, and ra sed 5 children, before mov ng to Port Moody n 1968 They spent the r rema ning years n the lower main and She s survived by her husband Geo of 72 years, five ch ldren: Ed (Ton ), Joanne (Greg), May (Brian), Sue (Mike), Ron (K m), and many grandchi dren No service, by request

It is with profound sadness that we announce our dear Mom, Inge Reed, has passed away on March 19th of this year She eaves beh nd a large and extended fam ly: three sons, three daughters- naws, ten grandchldren, and three great grandchildren

Although we are eft with a gap ng hole n our fami y, we take so ace in that she lived a ong, b essed, and fu l ife She was well loved and was the glue that he d our family together She w l always be cher shed and remembered Inge was born n Germany in 1936 In her young adult ife she made the bold move of cross ng from East Germany to West Germany and became an apprentice ha rdresser Th s is where she met her eventua husband, David Reed They fel in ove and moved to England Shortly after that they moved to Canada w th the r three sma l chi dren in tow (Dav d, Stuart, and Rupert) Eventual y, they settled n the West Coast, Lower Mainland

She establ shed herself as a popu ar barber n the Lower Main and w th a large and loyal c iente e She oved her ob and worked wel into her seventies Mom fina ly retired in 2010

Memorial Service ~ Celebration of Life for Holley Nielsen

A memor al service for Ho ley N e sen w ll take p ace on Fr day, Apri 14th, at 10am, at the Par sh Hal at St C aire’s 2888 De ahaye Drive in Coquitlam

Ho ley passed away in March 2021 at the age of 67 She was a long time Coquit am resident You may know Ho ley from; Centennia High School, the Vancouver Golf Club, CIBC, HandyDART, her store/ bakery/deli “The Hub” on Prair e Road, or Pitt Meadows Wel ness (where she loved her work as a reflexo og st) You may also know Holley from Eagle Ridge Manor (where she cared for her Mum, Audr e Nielsen) or from Ta l Tree P ace on In et Street (where she l ved for many years)

She l ved her final years enjoying the simp e p easures of life her hobb es, her family, her fr ends There will be a Celebration of Inge s Life he d on Apr l 1 at 11:00 a m at the K ng of Life Lutheran Church (1198 Falcon Drive in Coquit am) In l eu of flowers, donations can be made to the Eag e R dge Hosp tal Foundation In memory of Inge, please take the time to v sit a sen or in your l fe

To place your announcement call: 604-362-0586 May the Sunshine of

A celebrat on of l fe wi l be held at St Paul’s Lutheran Church, 12145 Laity Street n Maple Ridge, at 2:00 pm on Saturday Apri 15, 2023

All are welcome, but please et us know by Apr l 9th f you p an to attend, so we can be sure to have suffic ent food and seating availab e Please emai Tammy to RSVP at: huntert@te us net

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