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Shaking up the Transfer Beach playground P. 8
Serving Ladysmith, Chemainus and area
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Two fires, two couples homeless: P. 4
New town being born
Life is shorter in Ladysmith Health profile reveals people die sooner here, but officials aren’t sure why
Ivy Green land clearing for commercial project first step in ambitious development plan
Lindsay Chung THE CHRONICLE
John McKinley THE CHRONICLE
The trees coming down opposite the Husky station with the arrival of spring were the first to herald the news. The billboard announcements that arrived late last week drove the message home further. Years of planning by the Stz’uminus First Nation could start bearing fruit this summer with the first steps in the creation of what could essentially be a new village north of Ladysmith. Over the next 20 years, 65 acres of reserve property at the old Ivy Green site is expected to be transformed into the new $400-million community of Oyster Bay. Eventually, it could include approximately 200,000 square feet of commercial space, up to 200 new residential homes, 160 to 200 assisted living and extended care units, 53 seniors’ patio homes and an 80-unit waterfront hotel able to host conventions. Most of these features are not likely to be developed for a while. Some may be a long way down the road. But construction could get underway on the first stages of commercial development as early as this summer. “Basically, what we are doing is clearing it and preparing for construction,” Coast Salish Development Corporation CEO Ray Gauthier said. “The community is really excited because they are ready for this to happen.” The cleared site opposite the Husky is being targeted for a small shopping centre, similar in character to the recently built Chemainus The Easter Bunny was in Ladysmith early last week scoping out prime Village Square mall. The band is targetting a egg hiding spots on the Ladysmith waterfront and interviewing 21,000-square-foot grocery store to be the anchor people about their Easter traditions. Bradley Sumpter and his entouof a plaza that could include up to 40,000 square- rage of Toby Baiorrio (rear left) and Sadie McMullan are 13-year-old feet of additional commercial and office space. Ladysmith Secondary students who went a bit above and beyond for see Oyster Bay, page 3 a class project. JOHN MCKINLEY
Ladysmith has a lower life expectancy than the rest of Vancouver Island and the rest of B.C. And our children are among the most vulnerable when it comes to being prepared for school. Those were perhaps the most disturbing facts revealed in a community health profile of the area presented by Dr. Paul Hasselback, the medical health officer for central Vancouver Island, last week. Women in Ladysmith have an average life expectancy of 82 years, compared to 84 in Island Health and in B.C. Men in Ladysmith average 77 years, compared to 80 in Island Health and in B.C. “The lower life expectancy in Ladysmith remains a puzzle,” Hasselback said.“There’s no one particular reason, nor is there an easy answer. Life expectancy has gone up slightly over the last few years, but there’s still a gap to be closed.” Meanwhile, Ladysmith also ranks second-worst on the Early Development Index which measures the vulnerability of young children. And the situation is getting worse. “Ladysmith remains not as well off as other areas. We still have challenges with children being prepared to start school,” Hasselback said. Mayor Aaron Stone was concerned. “One of the things you highlighted and that has continued to challenge me is our disconnect in EDI readiness for school. It’s been persistent. It’s definitely something to note, and it’s not just an anomaly.” Our number of teen mothers is significantly higher than the Island Health rate, while the stillbirth rate is higher than the Island Health average. In contrast, Hasselback says Ladysmith ranks fourth best out of 14 local health areas on Vancouver Island in terms of poverty. The “Ladysmith” in question refers to a larger area centred around the town, with a population of about 15,000. But Hasselback said there is not an appreciable difference between the town and rural profiles. see Juvenile crime, page 12
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