THURSDAY July 10, 2014 Vol. 29• No. 55 ••• $1.25 inc. G.S.T.
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Local painter proves that it’s never too late to start Page B1
Blue Devils making a splash at summer swim meets Page B7
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Status quo at Comox Fire Training Centre Erin Haluschak Record Staff
Comox fire Chief Gord Schreiner wants to assure Comox residents and those throughout the Valley despite approval by the City of Courtenay for a new fire training f a c i l I’ve been ity in east Courtegetting lots of nay, the questions and Comox F i r e some phone Traincalls, even ing Cenpeople asktre will remain ing me if we’re open. shutting down. “I’ve been getIt’s business as ting lots usual. of quesComox fire Chief tions and Gord Schreiner s o m e p h o n e c a l l s , even people asking me if we’re shutting down,” he explained. “It’s business as usual.” In June, Courtenay council agreed to pay for a new training facility near Home Depot, and was unanimous in endorsing the withdrawal of $2.5 million in order to get the centre built quickly. Council also approved a rec-
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COMOX FIRE CHIEF GORD SCHREINER said the Comox Fire Training Centre will remain open for training fire departments both in the Comox Valley and province-wide. PHOTO SUBMITTED ommendation to design and construct a second firehall, which could be ready in 2017, with the
training facility ready by early next year. Courtenay Coun. Jon Ambler,
a member of a select committee of council, said the new facility “is not the same” as the Comox
centre. “It’s going to be a completely different facility. It’s sort of like when you have hockey skills camp — there’s one for shooting, one for skating but you need a place to have a practice or play shinny with the entire team.” In June, Courtenay Coun. Bill Anglin noted a “critical need” for a new firehall and training ground that will complement the Comox fire training centre. A simulator, for instance, will provide realistic training to enable firefighters to make split-second “life and death decisions.” Ambler added the Comox facility offers “very, very good” individual skills and Courtenay members will continue to train at the centre. Schreiner explained the Town of Comox and the fire department has spent 20 years developing their training centre to a point where he said “it is one of the best in Canada. We are happy to share with others and we have additional capacity.” Union Bay fire Chief Mark Jackson, who spent 32 years with the Vancouver Fire Department agreed. “… I believe that the Comox Fire Training Centre is better than the training centre I used in Vancouver,” he added.
... see TRAINING ■ A5
Minimum tipping charges raised at North Island landfill sites Scott Stanfield Record Staff
Changes to waste disposal fees and charges came into effect July 1 in the Comox Valley and Campbell River. The minimum charge has gone
from $4 for loads less than 60 kilograms to $6 for loads not exceeding 100kg. In addition to the $2 increase, the landfill sites have implemented a $4 site access fee, making the new minimum charge to users $10 – a jump of 150 per cent.
Quality & Craftsmanship Cost Less Than You Think!
Soil and turf charges went from $5 to $15/tonne for loads greater than 100kg. Loads less than 100kg are charged the minimum load fee. Drywall is an exception. Tipping fees dropped from $200 to $110/tonne (the construction and
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demolition debris rate) as of Feb. 14. Increased landfill diversion — largely in construction and soilrelated waste — means revenue collected through tipping fees has decreased. To address declining ton-
... see RATES ■ A5
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