Thurs. Dec 7 edition: Council decides funding for mural and gym projects

Good morning, Burnaby!

In this week’s edition, we’re looking at a major upgrade for Brentwood Park Elementary School that includes a $39 million project for seismic improvements as well as childcare spaces for before-school and after-school activities. In other news, we’ve got the best pastas Burnaby has to offer and a ton of exciting holiday events right around the corner.

👀 In today's edition:

• The retirement of Christine Sinclair, a Burnaby soccer legend

• A massive upgrade for Brentwood Park Elementary

• An inquest to take place at the Winters Hotel

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COUNCIL

Council proclaims Dec. 12 as Christine Sinclair Day, approves funding for new mural, and more

Burnaby soccer hero Christine Sinclair will get her own day as Burnaby city council voted unanimously on Dec. 4 to proclaim Dec. 12 as Christine Sinclair day during its regular meeting chaired by Coun. Richard Lee as acting mayor.

Council also discussed the ongoing Confederation Park Community Centre project’s new budget request for an additional $7.36M, and a new mural for the Nikkei Museum received approval for funding of $7,000. 

Get all the details here. 

Burnaby Bulletin

A call for long COVID support. A Burnaby man with long COVID calls for more financial assistance to those experiencing long COVID symptoms after living with the condition for over a year. [CityNews]

Burnaby council votes to support coalition. The coalition, which comprises disability activists, community groups, and transit workers, asked council to support a petition addressed to Rob Fleming, minister of transportation and infrastructure.

Goodbye to a beloved brewery. Studio Brewing, one of only three breweries in Burnaby, has recently announced it will be closing permanently. After three years of business, their last day will be Dec. 22, 2023. [Vancouver is Awesome]

Transforming the BC Parkway. The City of Burnaby is rolling out updates on their massive BC Parkway transformation that will introduce new public spaces for residents to enjoy. [Bowen Island Undercurrent]

Celebrating a legendary soccer player. Burnaby residents are encouraged to share their thoughts and memories about Christine Sinclair—a famous soccer player based in Burnaby—who has recently retired from international play.

Nearly 22,000 people are warmer this winter. In the 29th annual Realtors Care Blanket Drive, nearly 22,000 people in the Greater Vancouver Area received blankets, warm clothes and other donations. [Burnaby Now]

Burnaby man sentenced to four years in prison. A 45-year-old Burnaby man was recently sentenced to four years in prison following the reckless shooting of a sex worker.

Burnaby’s Accessibility Plan. Delegates from Urban Matters, a planning and design firm the city has commissioned to help develop Burnaby’s accessibility plan, has provided an update on the plan’s progress.

Winters Hotel death investigation. The BC Coroners Service recently announced that an inquest will take place to investigate the deaths of two people that occurred during the Winters Hotel fire on April 11, 2022.

NEWS

A bigger, safer school coming soon to Brentwood Park

The Ministry of Childcare and Education announced on Nov. 30 that work on expanding and upgrading the Brentwood Park Elementary School is underway. The new school is expected to be completed in September 2026.

According to an official statement by the ministry, “In addition to the 165-seat expansion, three wings of the school will be seismically upgraded with more than $39 million from the province.” The upgrade will also include 37 new childcare spaces and a care centre offering before-school and after-school spaces for students outside of school hours.

Read more about the Brentwood Park Elementary School expansion here. 

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BURNABY READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

The best places to eat pasta in Burnaby

Where do Burnaby locals go to enjoy starchy, comforting bowls of pasta good enough to kick the winter blues? Take a look at some of the best spots in the city, as chosen by you in the Readers’ Choice Awards!

Where to eat & drink

🐟 Fish With You. Though this chain operates thousands of restaurants in China, there are only two locations found in North America: Burnaby and New York City. Specializing in fish and punchy sauerkraut dishes, their flavourful fish soups take centre stage on the menu.

🍻 Oliver Twist Pub & Grill. This is a staple local pub in Burnaby serving classic, hearty bar food like pulled pork and fries along with a generous selection of local brews, karaoke songs and weekly DJ events.

🥐 Cafe 106. A cozy getaway from the cold outdoors—serving paninis, espressos and an endless selection of pastries, Cafe 106 is a great spot to satisfy a mid-day lunch or snack craving. We’d highly recommend their sandwiches and croffles (a heavenly croissant-waffle hybrid with your choice of garnish).

🤝 Now Hiring

Looking to make a move? Here are local jobs open right now:

• Cook at Save-On-Foods

• Trees & Shrubs Sales Lead at Gardenworks

• Academic Advisor at Alexander College

• Registered Nurse at Burnaby Hospital

• Animal Control Officer at BC SPCA

• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Specialist at Engineers & Geoscientists BC

• Silviculture Forester at Western Forest Products Inc.

• Store Coordinator at The Source

Hiring and want to let people know? Reply back and let us know!

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Swim with Santa. 6:30pm. Eileen Dailly Leisure Pool & Fitness Centre.

• Puppy Play Date. 1pm. Accent Inn.

• Kyle McKearney. 8pm. St. James Community Square.

Friday

• Glow Christmas Concert. 7:30pm. New Westminster Christian Reformed Church.

• The B3 Kings. 3pm. Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.

• Women’s Centre Christmas Social. 5pm. Student Union Building 2220.

• Winter Art Market. 1pm. Pacific Arts Market.

• Nutcracker Barre. 7pm. 3701 Hastings St.

• Party with Kickstart. 8pm. Admiral Pub.

Saturday

• Winter Art Market. 1pm. Pacific Arts Market.

• Dance with BC Swing Dance Club. 6:30pm. Confederation Centre.

• Kits Holiday Jingle Jams. 9:30am. St James Community Square.

• Galaxies Far Away: Cosmic Listening Room. 2pm. H.R. MacMillan Space Centre.

• The Wailers. 8pm. Admiral Pub.

• Holiday Cookie Decorating Class. 3pm. Daybreak Consulting.

• Kengido Japanese Swordplay Class. 3pm. Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.

Sunday

• Solastalgia Launch Party. 1pm. Burnaby Public Library.

• Christmas at Brentwood. 7:30pm. The Sanctuary in Brentwood.

• Holiday Table Runner Workshop. 11am. Gardenworks at Mandeville.

• Paint Nite. 2pm. Joey Burnaby.

Monday

• The Burnaby Mountain Festive Hug. 11am. Forest Grove Park.

• Explorations Dance Showcase. 2pm. Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.

Tuesday

• South Van Christmas Concert. 7pm. Danish Lutheran Church.

• Virtual Job Fair. 11am. Online.

• Walk in Burnaby. 10am. Starbucks at 6200 McKay Ave.

• Tech Cafe. 1pm. Burnaby Public Library.

Wednesday

• Restorative Sound Meditation. 6pm. Qi Integrated Health.

• Girls Christmas Night Out. 6pm. Brentwood.

• Meditation Sound Bath. 7pm. Savasana Meditation.

• Terrarium Workshop. 6pm. Gardenworks at Mandeville.