SENIOR FIGHTS CITY HALL ON PARKING
page
4
THE SAD DEMISE OF TINKERERS
page
6
THUNDER REIGN IN RINGETTE
page
19
FRIDAY
APRIL 20 2012
www.burnabynewsleader.com
The Bollywood Shenanigans are at it again with a new show for their I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Chicken series. See Page A3
Burnaby SkyTrain
station to stay ungated Jeff Nagel Black Press
MARIO BARTEL/NEWSLEADER
The Batmobile Tumbler, which is set to appear in this summer’s newest Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises, draws plenty of attention during a promotional visit to Electronic Arts in Burnaby on Tuesday. The appearance was also a fundraiser for the B.C. Cancer Foundation. For more pictures see A10.
Snowpack elevates Fraser flood risk Much depends on spring weather, speed of melt Jeff Nagel Black Press
There’s a higher risk of Àooding on the lower Fraser River this year because of heavier-than-usual snowpacks across central and northern B.C. that have been slow to melt due to a cold spring. All the major tributary basins that feed the Fraser have above average
snowpacks, and the entire watershed holds 31 per cent more snow than usual, according to the latest readings from B.C.’s River Forecast Centre. “That is about the ¿fth or sixth highest reading we’ve seen for the Fraser for this time of year,” said centre head Dave Campbell. “It’s something we see about once every 10 or 12 years.” He said this is the second straight year of a La Nina weather pattern, which tends to cause cool and wet
weather in late winter and spring, bolstering snowpacks. Some parts of the watershed are actually at record snow levels—the Nechako is 65 per cent above normal and the upper Fraser basin is 52 per cent higher than usual. Those two basins supply a third of the Àow that comes to the lower Fraser Valley. Whether high water actually threatens to top Fraser River dikes will depend heavily on spring weather patterns in May and June and how
quickly all that snow upcountry melts and Àows downstream. Campbell said a worst case scenario would be continued cool weather for several weeks followed by a heat wave, especially if heavy rains are added to the mix. The best scenario would be seasonal temperatures and dry weather for the rest of the spring. So far, he said, the long-term forecasts suggest B.C. is in for dry but hotter than normal conditions later in the spring.
YOUR BURNABY REALTOR®
BOOK YOUR BOTTLE DRIVE
BRIAN VIDAS 604.671.5259
Brian Vidas Personal Real Estate Corporation 3010 Boundary Road, Burnaby
POP
www.BrianVidas.com
centre realty
1 Bedroom Renovated Top Floor Condo $268,000 3 Bed, 2 Bath 2 Level Corner Townhouse $324,800
NDP transportation critic Harry Bains predicts fare evaders will have a Àeld day since TransLink says it won’t have turnstiles in place at two of the busiest SkyTrain stations, including one in Burnaby when its new smart card and fare gates system opens next year. Main Street and Metrotown stations won’t yet have operating fare gates because they are slated for major renovations and TransLink says it makes no sense to install the turnstiles and then remove them later as part of an upgrade. “Why wouldn’t the fare evaders go to those two stations?” Bains asked. “It’s beyond comprehension what they are deciding. For $170 million, the taxpayer expects full service.” TransLink CEO Doug Kelsey said Compass card readers will be installed on poles at those two stations and extra SkyTrain staff will be there to ensure passengers don’t walk on without paying with their smart card. Please see RENO, A2