Wednesd Wednesday October 28, 2015 (Vol. 40 No. 86)
V O I C E
O F
W H I T E
R O C K
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S O U T H
S U R R E Y
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Crusading to victory: Fifteen senior girls volleyball teams – including top squads from across Surreyy – hit the court for the annual Peace Arch ch News Classic last week, with the Holy Cross Crusaders emerging victorious. i see page 27
City of White Rock ceases funding in favour of a regional tourism strategy
End of the line for Tourism White Rock Melissa Smalley Staff Reporter
Tourism White Rock will close its doors at the end of the year, following a council decision Monday to adopt a new tourism strategy. The initiative is the result of several months of consultation with the city’s tourism task force, city staff and a marketing consultant, and will see the city take over the delivery of tourism services, focus on regional market-
ing approaches and halt funding to Tourism White Rock, effective Dec. 31. In attendance Monday evening was Tourism White Rock’s executive director Betina Albornoz – as well as some board members – who listened to a report and subsequent council discussion and vote, before leaving council chambers. Albornoz would not comment Monday evening, and calls were not returned by Peace Arch News press
deadline Tuesday, however a news release was issued that morning confirming that the Tourism White Rock Association will be dissolved effective Jan. 1, 2016. “This new model is a major shift towards placing greater levels of commitment, responsibility and accountability where it belongs: with key local stakeholders that directly, and greatly, benefit from a prosperous local White Rock tourism economy,”
Albornoz wrote in the release, calling her seven years working in the community an “amazing, inspiring journey.” The report recommends the city close the uptown visitor centre – the current headquarters of Tourism White Rock at 1459B Johnston Rd. – and pursue grants to maintain the operation of the visitor kiosk on West Beach. i see page 10
BNSF raises questions
Inspired by Surrey
‘Difficult’ to move rail route
Open for business
Alex Browne Staff Reporter
While moving BNSF’s tracks from the White Rock and South Surrey waterfront to an inland route was a frequently raised local issue during the recent federal election – and remains the subject of ongoing discussion between White Rock Mayor Wayne Baldwin and Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner – the jury is still out on whether it is a practical option, according to BNSF spokesperson Gus Melonas. He reiterated the long-time official position of the U.S.-based railway to Peace Arch News on Friday. “BNSF is willing to review any officially sanctioned plan to move the line,” he said. But, he warned, Semiahmoo Peninsula residents should not expect any steps to be taken soon. “Realistically, it would be a very difficult undertaking,” he said. “We’re talking about moving an active rail line that is essential, that plays a critical role in the Canadian economy in moving goods as well as providing passenger service.” And Melonas noted the company has made significant recent investment in upgrading infrastructure in the existing corridor. i see page 10
Kevin Diakiw photo
BNSF notes it is in the middle of $20 million in planned upgrades to its waterfront route around the Peninsula.
COSTUME CAPERS! SAT., OCT. 31 5PM TO 6PM
STAY WARM & DRY ...INSIDE!
The City of White Rock is hosting an invitation-only networking event tonight (Wednesday) in an effort to bring more business to the city. The event was conceived by the economic investment committee, according to Mayor Wayne Baldwin, who told Peace Arch News Monday the reception was the first of its kind since he has been mayor. “(The committee) thought it would be a good idea to invite people who are either property owners or who have businesses who might wish to relocate to White Rock and have them come in and have a reception and do some networking with existing businesses and the mayor and council and staff,” Baldwin said. He said the event was “a bit of a takeoff ” on the City of Surrey’s annual economic summit, which has seen such high-profile keynote speakers as U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush and Sir Richard Branson in past years. “We couldn’t afford (former U.K.) prime minister Blair, though,” Baldwin joked. “So they’ll have to settle for the mayor and council.” The city extended the invitation to about 70 people for the Wednesday evening function, to take place at Blue Frog Studios on Johnston Road. As of Monday afternoon, approximately 25 people had confirmed attendance, according to city staff. – Melissa Smalley
NOTICE: FORCED OUT...
Due to the City's action all punch cards must be used by December 31, 2015 and all inventory must be cleared out!
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LOW, LOW PRICES NOW!
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