Thursday, June 26 edition: Volleyball BC faces eviction from Harry Jerome

Good morning, Burnaby!

Canada Day isn’t far off now, and even though technically it isn’t a long weekend, many of us are probably taking Monday off. If you’re one of the unlucky ones who aren’t, or if you’re opting for a staycation in Burnaby for Canada Day, several festivals are planned for the public holiday, including the fan-favourite Canada Day StreetFest in Metrotown. It’s probably best to take transit to the event since the city often closes several streets, and parking is hard to find. Make sure you stay for the fireworks, which usually happen around 10pm every year, and the show is well worth it!

In other news, volleyball lovers in Burnaby are about to experience serious changes related to their sport. The city has decided not to renew Volleyball BC’s lease for the Harry Jerome Centre. The reasoning behind the decision is complex, but one of the main factors is that the building is getting very old.

The city announced the lineup for this year’s Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival in Deer Lake Park, and they include one Grammy Award winner and one Juno Award winner, among other exciting artists. Last week, a group of volunteers met to remove litter and clean up the area around the Willingdon Community Centre. This time, the mayor and two city councillors joined them in picking up litter and cleaning up the streets.

👀 In today's edition:

• Volleyball BC faces eviction from Harry Jerome Centre

• Grammy winner, Ani DiFranco, to headline Burnaby Blues + Roots

• Volunteers and the city team up to clean up litter

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NEWS

Volleyball BC faces eviction from Harry Jerome Centre

During its biweekly meeting on Tuesday, June 24, Burnaby City Council discussed Volleyball BC’s lease of the Harry Jerome Sports Centre. Since 1997, the organization has leased the Harry Jerome Sports Centre at 7564 Barnett Highway from the City of Burnaby. In September 2024, the Beacon reported on discussions about the centre’s future, which was under review by a consultant the city had hired, Cornerstone Planning Group.

Delegates from Volleyball BC at Tuesday’s meeting requested that council reconsider its plan to terminate Volleyball BC’s lease and instead direct staff to negotiate a lease renewal. Delegates also mentioned that Volleyball BC had used the organization’s funds to cover some of the cost of replacing the centre’s roof.

“We contributed $660,000 of our own money, and we did that on the expectation that our lease would be renewed. If we’re displaced now, we’ll have to be back here to discuss what happens to us as a nonprofit society and how to recover some of those funds,” said Jake Cabot, president of Volleyball BC.

Despite the delegation’s request, city and council moved forward with the plan to find a new tenant.

“The facility has now reached a stage where significant reinvestment is required to sustain, operate, and maintain the facility,” a staff report said. “Staff recommend the City initiate a competitive open market call for proposals to identify an operator and future use model that delivers strong community benefit while minimizing taxpayer burden.”

Find out more here.

SPONSORED BY KHATSAHLANO STREET PARTY

ADVENTURE AWAITS AT KHATSAHLANO STREET PARTY!

Khatsahlano Street Party returns on July 5, from 11am to 9pm, transforming 10 full blocks of West 4th Avenue into a vibrant urban wilderness. This year's "Camp Khats" theme invites festivalgoers of all ages to dive into a day packed with free live music, delicious food, inspiring art, and unique activities, all designed to bring the spirit of summer camp to the heart of the city. 

With over 60 performers curated by local legend Zulu Records, this year’s lineup is an incredible showcase of BC’s diverse talent, spanning everything from indie rock to hip hop and folk. Headliners will be set across multiple stages, including performances from psychedelic rockers Meltt, powerful vocalist Missy D, punk legend Joe Keithley of D.O.A. and high-energy folk-rock band Shred Kelly.

Burnaby Bulletin

🐻 Black bears brawl in Burnaby: Two adult black bears were caught on camera brawling on a city street.

👀 Watch out for distraction theft: Burnaby RCMP warns of distraction thefts happening in Burnaby and the Lower Mainland.

🎨 New artwork for Indigenous Peoples Day: The city unveiled a new artwork Join Them Together by Coast Salish artist Austin Harry.

🎸 Parkway Alive returns July 8: As part of its efforts to enliven the BC Parkway in Burnaby, the city is planning community events this summer.

🩺 BC Cancer and UBC roll out the fastest PET/CT scanner in Canada: The new scanner is expected to provide faster and more accurate diagnostics.

☕️ BC tries to recruit US healthcare workers: The province sent a BC Health Careers coffee truck to Seattle to entice healthcare workers to come to Canada.

🚗 New DriveBC platform: BC launches new DriveBC platform that features a simplified map and a cleaner, more intuitive design for desktop and mobile users.

🚙 BC NDP considers easing up on EV mandates: As EV sales decline, it will be harder to reach 90% of new vehicles by 2030.

🎟️ Visit the ‘80s with The Two Gentlemen of Verona, running now to September 19, at Bard on the Beach! Tickets start at $35.*

🪕 Don’t miss the Mission Folk Music Festival, July 25-27 at Fraser River Heritage Park. Early Bird Day, Evening, Weekend, and Weekend+Camping discounts end June 30!*

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NEWS

Grammy winner, Ani DiFranco, to headline Burnaby Blues + Roots

The City of Burnaby recently announced that the Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival will return to Deer Lake Park on August 9. The festival will be free of charge again this year and will run from 3:30-10pm.

The city also announced that this year’s headliner is Grammy Award winner Ani DiFranco. She has released 23 albums spanning genres such as folk, punk, hip-hop, soul, and electronic, addressing various autobiographical, political, and social issues.

The festival’s lineup includes three Canadian artists: Aysanabee, Judith Hill, and Jackson Hollow. Attendees can bring their own food and beverages, but alcohol and drugs are not allowed. There is no seating provided, but attendees can bring lawn chairs.

Read more here.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Volunteers and the city team up to clean up litter

Volunteers joined the Lower Mainland Green Team for a litter cleanup around Willingdon Community Centre on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Fifty-four volunteers cleaned up over 300 pounds of litter from the area surrounding the community centre. Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley, and city councillors James Wang and Richard T. Lee joined the volunteers for the cleanup.

According to the Lower Mainland Green Team, this cleanup was the first of four planned cleanup activities for 2025 in Burnaby. Last year, volunteers cleaned up litter around five Burnaby community centres, including Bonsor, Christine Sinclair, Edmonds, Cameron, and Eileen Dailly. The Green Team receives support and funding from the city for its activities, including removing invasive plants from parks, litter cleanups and more.

Read more here.

Where to eat & drink

🌯 Ramie’s Greek Restaurant, a great place for gatherings and enjoying Greek fare during the Canada Day long weekend.

🥞 The Gray Olive, the perfect spot for a long-weekend, summer brunch and gossip with your friends.

🥐 Burnt Orange Cafe and Bistro, another spot for a weekend brunch, serving up hearty breakfast, pancakes, and avocado toast varieties.

🤝 Now Hiring

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

• Housekeeping aide, Fraser Health

• Director of Operations, IATSE Local 891

• Occupational Therapist, Lifemark Health Group

• Part-time Overnight Freight Associate, the Home Depot

• Medical administrative assistant, NNT Orthotics and Supplies

• Aquatic leader, City of Burnaby

• Part-time International Sales Associate, Oak+Fort Metrotown

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

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• The Encampments Film Screening and Discussion, Doors open at 5:30, Mowafaghian Cinema at SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts.

Friday

• Latin Beat, 10-11am, Burnaby Neighbourhood House, 4460 Beresford St.

• Trauma and Resilience, Dr. Gabor Maté, 5-8pm, SFU Burnaby, 8888 University Dr. W.

Saturday

• Farmers Market. 9am. City Hall parking lot.

• Canadian Job Fair, 11am-6pm, Nikkei Museum and Cultural Centre, 6688 Southoaks Cres.

• Canadian Cultural Festival, 11am-6pm, Nikkei Museum and Cultural Centre, 6688 Southoaks Cres.

Sunday

• Gabriel Mark Hasselbach Jazz night, 5-8pm, Admiral Pub, 4125 East Hastings St.

Monday

• Family Place, 9:30-11:30am, Burnaby Neighbourhood House, 4460 Beresford St.

• Open Mic Comedy, 8-10pm, 769 East Hastings St.

Tuesday

• Canada Day celebration Edmonds Park and Plaza, 11am-2:30pm.

• Canada Day Burnaby Village Museum, 11am-4:30pm.

• Canada Day StreetFest on Central, 6:30-10:30pm.

Wednesday

• Toastmasters, 12pm, Burnaby City Hall.