Thurs. Dec. 21, 2023 edition: Burnaby Lake Recreation moves full speed ahead

Good morning, Burnaby!

There’s certainly no shortage of excitement this week—Christmas is right around the corner! What are you looking forward to? For us, it’s the construction of the Burnaby Lake Recreation Complex which is moving ahead with a whopping $240.9M price tag. With that, we’re also thrilled to announce a third place win for Burnaby students in a national music competition. Happy holidays!

👀 In today's edition:

• A new superintendent for Burnaby School District

• Mayor joins Burnaby Neighbourhood House for charity drive

• Seniors receive handmade creations from Burnaby students

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NEWS

Burnaby Lake Recreation Complex moves ahead despite $240.9M price tag

Despite delays, cost and a change in design company, the Burnaby Lake Recreation Complex project is proceeding after all.

Burnaby residents can look forward to a new 10-lane, 50-metre pool, a family hot tub, and an NHL-sized arena, but not before the spring of 2027. Council will approve the design build contract award in April 2024, and pre-construction work will start in the spring of 2024. 

Read more about the project here. 

Burnaby Bulletin

“Cram the Cruiser” Charity Drive. Hundreds of Burnaby residents stopped by the RCMP and Burnaby Neighbourhood House booth with non-perishable food items to donate to those in need.

A new superintendent. Burnaby School District has recently appointed Karim Hachlaf to the role of superintendent, effective April 1, 2024. Hachlaf has more than 30 years of experience on the job.

Missing Indigenous woman. Burnaby RCMP is asking for public assistance in locating 28-year-old Ashliigh Giesler who went missing on Dec. 13. She was last seen near Kincaid Street and Ingleton Avenue in Burnaby.

Zero Carbon Step Code. Council unanimously approved new carbon standards on Dec. 11, forcing builders to abide by new construction standards in Burnaby. [Burnaby Now]

Fast-tracking housing. The federal government has recently provided Burnaby $43M with the goal of eliminating barriers to build housing. [CTV News]

Handmade creations for holiday cheer. The City of Burnaby has partnered up again this year with the IAK (Intentional Acts of Kindness) to provide handmade cards and crafts to seniors made by Burnaby students from kindergarten to Grade 12.

Expanded care at Burnaby Hospital. With the Burnaby Hospital redevelopment project well on the way, residents are now one step closer to receiving expanded patient care.

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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Burnaby students take third in national music competition

Grade 6 and 7 students at Capitol Hill Elementary School won third place at the CBC Canadian Music Class Challenge last week on Dec. 13.

The students performed an instrumental version of Máhsi ts’enįwę by Leela Gilday, a Juno-winning Dene Kede musician, that was taught to them by their music teacher Theresa Lui and recorded in November 2023 as one of their entries. Last week, three Burnaby schools were shortlisted for the competition, with Capitol Hill getting two shortlisted entries.

Read more about their performance here. 

Where to eat & drink

🍱 Sushimoto. A cozy, comforting sushi joint serving familiar favourites like donburi, sashimi, maki and a long list of combos and lunch specials. It’s worth it to stop by just for their special maki list, which features endless combinations of colours and unique flavours.

🍳 OEB Breakfast Co. This widely popular breakfast chain offers elevated takes on diner classics. Some decadent options include gnocchi breakfast carbonara and pierogies with eggs and duck confit.

🍺 Hop & Vine Taphouse. The warm wooden interior of this Burnaby pub makes you feel like you’re drinking in a cabin. Not to mention the food—bar classics like burgers, pizzas and hefty sandwiches will make you feel right at home.

🤝 Now Hiring

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

• Electrical Instructor at Sprott Shaw College

• Early Childhood Educator at Little Eagles Childcare Centre

• Personal Assistant at Beedie

• VIP Back-Of-House Supervisor at Cineplex

• Pharmacy Intern at Save-On-Foods

• Manager Trainee at Hertz

• Fitness Instructor at Curtis Health

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

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Reforming Arts Winter Workshop. 4pm. 7209 Curragh Ave. Tickets here. 

• Strum Xmas Party. 8pm. Granville House B&B.

• Job Fair. 11am. Online. 

Friday

• Fundraising Concert: Cory and Bill Weeds Quintet. 7:30pm. Brentwood Presbyterian Church.

• Friday Night Dinner. 5pm. The Bayit. Tickets here.

• Christmas by Candlelight. 8:30pm. Pacific Spirit United Church.

• Loss and Grief Breathwork. 7pm. Savasana Meditation.

Saturday

• Interstellar Riders & Friends Christmas Special. 8pm. The Painted Ship.

• Pets in the Park. 7pm. Central Park.

• Handog Pamasko Dinner & Dance. 6pm. Royal Palace Banquet Hall.

• Mandarin Immersion Christmas Workshop for Kids. 1:50pm. Edmonds Community Centre.

• Photography for Beginners Night Class. 7pm. Deer Lake Park. Tickets here.

• Snowflake Strides. 3pm. 5050 Canada Way.

Sunday

• Nativity Service. 4pm. Canadian Memorial United Church.

• Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. 6pm. Kingsway Foursquare Church.

Monday

• Santa Claus at Metropolis at Metrotown. All day. Metropolis at Metrotown.

• Holiday Light Displays. All day. View map.

Tuesday

• Heritage Christmas. 1pm. Burnaby Village Museum.

• Scandinavian Boxing Day Skate. 9:45am. Scotia Barn.

• Full Moon Healing. 6:30pm. First United Spiritualist Church.

Wednesday

• Full Moon Chord Cutting. 7pm. Savasana Meditation.

• Decathlon Pop-Up Store. 10am. Metropolis at Metrotown.