Thurs, Apr. 25, 2024 edition: Metropolis at Metrotown is getting a makeover

Good morning, Burnaby!

This week, we’ve got our eyes on Metropolis at Metrotown—earlier this month, the real estate company that owns the mall held an open house to get feedback from Burnaby residents about developing it. The new plan will involve demolishing and replacing sections of the mall. In other news, council has approved the first phase of Burnaby District Energy Utility and Burnaby Hospital is now home to game-changing robotic surgery technology.

👀 In today's edition:

• Metropolis at Metrotown’s new master plan

• A close look at the Burnaby District Energy Utility project

• Two trapped workers, rescued

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NEWS

Metropolis at Metrotown master plan goes to council later this year for approval

On April 8, Ivanhoé Cambridge, the real estate company that owns the Metropolis at Metrotown Mall, held an open house at the mall to engage with Burnaby residents and obtain feedback about its plan to develop the mall.

The new plan, which will involve demolishing and replacing sections of the mall with various other commercial, housing, and public spaces, will go to council for approval later this year. 

Phase 1 is scheduled for completion in 2054, and according to Ivanhoé Cambridge, it will preserve 80% of the current mall. However, the plan shows significant changes, including breaking up the mall’s indoor space and inserting large roads that will divide the mall and require visitors and shoppers to cross large roads without pedestrian overpasses or other facilities. 

Read more about the upcoming changes here.

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Burnaby Bulletin

Game-changing robotic surgery. Burnaby Hospital is now home to the first Mako robotic technology system in Western Canada which will offer improved orthopaedic surgeries for patients. [Global News]

Two trapped workers, rescued. Firefighters in Burnaby rescued two workers trapped inside the bucket of a genie lift last week—a successful recovery in what could have been a catastrophic situation according to the chief of the city’s fire department. [CTV News]

A call for local actions on Earth Day. Martin Kendell, founder of the Clean Up Burnaby Campaign, spent Earth Day collecting garbage from Chubb Creek. Anyone, he says, can help the environment in their own small way. [CityNews]

Luxury awaits at 900 Carnarvon Street. Limited time offer: Enjoy one-month free rent! Experience urban sophistication with premium amenities and a prime location.*

B.C.’s first Decathlon store. This weekend, the province’s very first Decathlon store will open in Burnaby’s Metrotown mall. A popular French outdoor sport and gear store, it will offer customers a wide range of exciting new products to try out for camping season. [Vancouver Sun]

TJ Fest is coming soon to Burnaby. Taking place in Burnaby next Saturday and Sunday, the Tian Jin Festival (commonly known as TJ Fest) will showcase a wide range of delicious Taiwanese street food to try. [Daily Hive]

Driver sentenced following crash. A 20-year-old man who caused a three-car crash on Highway 1 in Burnaby in 2022 has been granted a conditional discharge with 20 months of probation for dangerous driving. [Burnaby Now]

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NEWS

Council approves first phase of Burnaby District Energy Utility

At its meeting on April 15, Burnaby City Council approved the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and design for the first phase of the Burnaby District Energy Utility Project.

The project, when completed, will aim to generate clean energy from the heat waste created by processes such as waste processing. The first phase will cost $7,606,985, including $362,238 in GST. Council adopted a District Energy policy at its meeting on Sept. 11, 2023. 

According to a report submitted to council on April 15, a feasibility study showed that the project’s first phase from 2025-2030 will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 13,400 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. The report also stated that the project will further reduce greenhouse gasses with each phase. The following two phases will last from 2030-2040 and 2040-2050. 

Read more about the project here.

Where to eat & drink

🍲 No. 1 Beef Noodle. As you may have guessed, this humble Taiwanese kitchen is home to some of the best beef noodles in the city. That’s just one of many items they offer on their menu though—gems like salted duck smoked with tea leaves and cabbage pork bao buns will make your tastebuds sing.

🍖 Balkan House Restaurant. A favourite among local Eastern Europeans, Balkan House is well known for their large meat platters (be sure to come with a large group of people to try everything), schnitzels and grilled shish kebabs.

🧋 Tealips Cafe. Whether you’re stopping by for a refreshing cup of bubble tea, sitting down for a filling sandwich or craving a sweet treat (say, a bowl of bingsoo or a loaded waffle), Tealips Cafe is a great spot for lunch, whatever the occasion.

🤝 Now Hiring

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

• Dining Room Team Lead at Derby Manor

• Case Manager at Immigrant Services Society of BC

• Distribution Design Assistant at BC Hydro

• Assistant Pharmacy Manager at Save-On-Foods

• Camp Supervisor at Royal Soccer Club

• Senior Project Manager at Pacific Blue Cross

• Senior Mechanical Engineer at Tundra Launchpad

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

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Family Storytime. 3pm. Burnaby Public Library.

• Pub Night Fundraiser: Walk for Alzheimer’s. 6pm. 800 Columbia St.

•  Bespoke Hanging Baskets Workshop. 6pm. Gardenworks @ Lougheed Hwy.

Friday

• Burnaby Connect Fest: Day One. 11:30am to 7pm. See locations here.

• Massive Warehouse Sale. 12pm to 6pm. 8067 North Fraser Way.

• Cantonese Storytime. 10:30am. Burnaby Public Library.

Saturday

• Bollywood/Bhangra Spring Fling Party. 9pm. The Rec Room.

• Digital Stories for Community Resilience. 12pm. The Amazing Brentwood.

• The Ultimate Old School Dance Party. 8pm. Hilton Vancouver Metrotown.

• Weedbusters. 8pm. Burnaby Lake Nature House.

Sunday

• The Boat People Art Installation. 11am. Burnaby Village Museum Carousel.

• Our Water Conversation: Stories & Nature Dyes. 4:30pm Edmonds Community Centre.

Monday

• Graphic Novels are for Everyone! 3:30pm. Burnaby Public Library.

• A Game of Life. 12pm. Burnaby Public Library.

• Toastmasters Meeting. 7:15pm. Cameron Rec Centre.

Tuesday

• Roots and Redress. 12:45pm. James Cowan Theatre.

• Film Screening: All Our Father’s Relations. 6:15pm. James Cowan Theatre.

• SFU Exploration Day. 10am. Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology.

Wednesday

• Toastmasters Weekly Public Speaking Training. 12pm. Burnaby City Hall.

• Brentwood Blooms Workshop: Preserved Bouquet. 6pm. TABLES Food Court @ The Amazing Brentwood.