Thursday December 26, 2013 (Vol. Vol. 38 No. 104 104) 4)
V O I C E
O F
W H I T E
R O C K
A N D
S O U T H
Winning streak: The Surrey Eagles flew into nto the Christmas break on a three-game winning streak ak and return to the ice this weekend ekend against Chilliwack Chiefs. fs.
S U R R E Y
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Artists want assurances that Surrey will not operate facilities like a rec centre
Tower support contingent on arts plan Alex Browne Staff Reporter
The support of the local arts community for the proposed residential highrise/arts amenity project in South Surrey hinges on the governance model adopted by the city for the arts spaces, according to two artists consulted at length during the development of the plan. Visual artist Cora Li-Leger and singer/ actress Wendy Bollard – artistic director of
Peninsula Productions – say this issue is a crucial element of a proposal in which the city is a major developing partner with the Reifel Cooke Group. Possible governance of the proposed arts spaces “has been an ongoing concern” LiLeger told the Peace Arch News, while sharing the comment sheet she returned to project proponents through Cotter Architects, which has been developing the plan. “The proposed art space has been envi-
sioned to operate under a model that does not really exist in Surrey at present; that is, an artist-run space with the city at arm’s length – not a recreation centre or a facility run by city employees,” Li-Leger said in her comments. “This concern has been repeatedly deferred until the development is secured,” she added. “While on one hand, it is understandable, I must hasten to inform you that many in the arts community (myself included) will not support the proposal if there is no concrete
assurance that the issue of governance will be addressed.” The two-tower, 328-unit development at 152 Street and 19 Avenue, which architect Patrick Cotter has designed to include a 350-seat theatre/performing-arts centre plus a ‘contemporary arts café gallery’ is expected to go to public hearing Feb. 3, provided the rezoning bylaw passes first and second readings in January. i see page 4
Last year for volunteers
Struggle to keep Polar dip afloat Sarah Massah Staff Reporter
Tracy Holmes photo
Miles Timmis throws metal salvaged during “deconstruction” of a South Surrey home into a bin, to make way for 29 townhouses over five acres.
‘Test project’ aims for a 90-per-cent recycle rate
Deconstructing better home demolition Tracy Holmes Staff Reporter
‘Deconstruction’ of three buildings on a South Surrey property got underway last week – and the effort is expected to barely make a dent at the landfill. “There’ll be a minor bit of garbage,” said Miles Timmis, owner of Disposal King Ltd., the Richmond-based demolition company hired to do the job. “I think we can hit 90-percent recycle rate.”
The work – in partnership with Surelock Builders – is clearing the way for construction of 29 townhomes that are eyed for two Morgan Heights lots totalling five acres. The buildings targeted for the process are a 3,000-square-foot home, a two-car garage and a barn on a 2½-acre environmentally sensitive lot – a stream runs through it – on 160 Street. Timmis said over the course of about 10 days, each will be taken apart piece by piece, largely by hand, and the materials sorted into a series
of bins: wood in one, metal in another, concrete in another and so on. The process is far longer and more labourintensive than a traditional demolition, which could have got the job done in about 1½ hours. But Timmis believes the costs will balance out through dump-fee savings and selling things like the scrap metal and good-condition items that can be re-used. The latter include windows and the home’s front doors. i see page 4
A decline in volunteers and an aging membership almost put the annual White Rock Polar Bear Swim on ice this year. But a last-minute push and support from city staffers means hundreds of brave souls can once again dip into the frigid waters of Semiahmoo Bay to mark the start of 2014. For more than 40 years, the Peace Arch Lions have hosted the popular event, but following the death of event chair Don Miller last year and a slow decline in membership, it has become nearly impossible for the 14 or so remaining members to put on. Longtime Lion Bud Scott noted that of those 14 members, at least four are over the age of 90. “It’s difficult for us, we just don’t have enough young people to haul stuff around,” he said. Scott – past president of the club – added that at the start of the month, the club had decided to cancel the event before the city intervened and offered assistance. However, the 82-year-old said it is most likely the last year the club will host the Polar Bear Swim. “We’d like to carry it on, and if we can get 10 more members we would do it forever, but it’s really i see page 2
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