Dog park opens
City of Powell River’s official dog park opened earlier this month in Westview. The fenced, off-leash area in Westview, located on city-owned property near the former Max Cameron Secondary School, opened Saturday, October 15. “We’re opening up this one and looking at closing the one in Townsite,” said city director of parks, recreation and culture Ray Boogaards. The park includes standard features such as grass, trees and picnic tables, but also ones specific to an off-leash facility, including posted rules for usage, separated areas for large and small dogs and a fire hydrant-shaped water fountain for owners and their pets. The area for large dogs is currently open, but the city is holding off opening the other section until the grass takes better, said Boogaards. An official opening for the park is expected in the spring. The city is looking to keep the current Townsite dog park at Henderson Park open for the next year and is encouraging residents who take their dogs for walks in all city parks to try the new facility.
Lockout continues
A labour standoff between Texada Island quarry workers and Lafarge Canada continues. Texada Quarrying general manager Andre Balfe said that since the company took steps to lock the workers out there has not been any move to resume contract negotiations. United Steelworkers Local 816 was locked out after its union bargaining committe rejected a potential contract and issued strike notice. Lafarge is seeking a contract that provides it with more worker flexibility, while the union is not willing to give up seniority rights.
.jpg;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)