Thurs, May 2, 2024 edition: Burnaby's seven local heroes

Good morning, Burnaby!

This week, we’re raising our glasses to seven local heroes who have been recognized for their generous volunteering efforts, helping out seniors, children and people experiencing homelessness in their communities—you can read all about them in our council roundup down below. In other news, the city’s new Central Park master plan was presented to council for approval on Monday, and the Burnaby Mountain Trail Management plan has entered its community engagement phase.

👀 In today's edition:

• Celebrating our local heroes

• Trans Mountain Pipeline gets green light

• A close look at the Central Park master plan

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CITY COUNCIL

Council recognizes seven local heroes

Seven Burnaby residents were recognized at council’s April 29 meeting as “Local Heroes.” Burnaby residents Sharon Domass, Jane Leah, Laurie Molstad, Ryan Males, Samantha Nelson, Josie Polisi, and Polly Voon all received certificates of appreciation from the city to recognize their volunteering work in a variety of areas, including with seniors, children, and people experiencing homelessness. 

“I am pleased to have the opportunity to recognize seven individuals for their significant accomplishments and the positive impact they made for the city and citizens of Burnaby,” Mayor Mike Hurley said. He added that this is the 26th year the city has recognized its local heroes, and the number of those recognized is currently 299. “Local Heroes represent an impressive cross-section of Burnaby citizens.”

Other items discussed at council this week included complex care housing units, tools to protect tenants, and the potential for car-free days in 2025.

Get all the details in this week’s council roundup.

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Burnaby Bulletin

Trans Mountain pipeline expansion gets green light. The Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project is officially complete and the Canada Energy Regulator has given the go-ahead for the project to open. [CTV News]

White Spot test kitchen, closed. After two years of researching and developing recipes, White Spot, a beloved Burnaby burger chain, has closed their experimental R+D kitchen concept in Amazing Brentwood. [Vancouver Is Awesome]

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

New homes on the way. Construction is currently underway for two single-family homes for at-risk residents in Burnaby, including seniors who are at risk or experiencing homelessness and would benefit from an enhanced mental-health and physical healthcare program.

A new Burnaby Lake Recreation Centre. The final contract on the Burnaby Lake Recreation Centre has been approved by city council. Construction is expected to begin this July. [Burnaby Now]

Cutting the GHG impact of Burnaby’s trash incinerator. Metro Vancouver is planning to cut the greenhouse gas impact of its Burnaby incinerator with a district heat system to take 50,000 homes off of natural gas. [Vancouver Sun]

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NEWS

New Central Park master plan goes to council

A new plan to develop Burnaby’s Central Park was presented to council for approval on Monday, April 29. The plan, first presented to the city’s Parks, Recreation and Culture Committee (PRCC) on April 16, aims to develop the under-utilized area near the SkyTrain entrance to the park. The area is currently an open field with a baseball diamond and lawn. 

The Beacon spoke with Andre Isakov, director of the PRCC, about how the new plan will change the park and what residents can expect. While in its early stages, the city intends to implement the Central Park master plan over two phases. The first phase will develop the “triangle” area that currently contains a baseball field and is often used for outdoor events. 

As of Monday's meeting, council is reviewing the master plan and passed a motion to receive reports and updates.

Read more about the Central Park master plan here.

COMMUNITY

Burnaby Mountain Trail Management plan enters community engagement phase

With more than 30 kilometres of trails over an area of 578 hectares, the Burnaby Mountain trail system attracts more visitors than any other park in the city.

Since the pandemic started in 2020, the trails around the mountain have seen more than 1 million visitors annually. As a designated conservation area, Burnaby Mountain is an environmentally sensitive area that requires conservation, and the city is now creating a plan to balance conservation needs with community recreation needs.

Council passed a motion in Monday's council meeting to receive reports, updates and review the Burnaby Mountain Trail Management Plan's public engagement plan. As the plan enters its community engagement phase, the city is eager to hear from trail users, community members, neighbours, Indigenous host nations, and other stakeholders.

Get the full story here.

Where to eat & drink

🥞 Adam’s Crepes. The crepes here are as real as crepes get—having been born, raised and trained in Paris, the chefs at Adam’s specialize in making authentic French crepes with a wide range of sweet and savoury flavours. Try their cheese, caramelized onion and walnut crepe for a sweet-savoury indulgence, or opt for a simple lemon sugar for something lighter.

🥘 Suren Persian Cuisine. This small Persian eatery is a Burnaby gem for kebabs and rich stews served with heaping piles of rice. The lamb and chicken kebabs are classic choices, as well as their lentil rice and smoked eggplant dip for starters.

🍦 Soft Peaks Ice Cream. Vanilla soft serve? More like handcrafted, organic milk soft serve offered in a variety of flavours you won’t find in your average ice cream truck. Thai milk tea, chocolate tahini and salty Himalayan are just some of the items they have to offer, and flavours are always changing according to the season.

🤝 Now Hiring

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

• Research Contracts Officer at Simon Fraser University

• Thermal Physicist at KT Photonics Inc

• Account Representative at Briere Production Group

• Dance Instructor at Vancouver Pheonix International Academy of Dance

• Travel Agency Manager at MyTripBookers Travel and Tours Ltd

• Assistant Instructor, Medical Laboratory Science at BCIT

• Sales Effectiveness Coach at Moneris Solutions

• Herbalist at Station Square Medical Clinic

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

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Family Storytime. 3pm. Burnaby Public Library.

• Walking Mystery Scavenger Hunt. 3pm. Burnaby Youth Hub.

• Burnaby Job Fair. 11am. Online via Zoom. 

Friday

• Canlan BC Spring Showdown. 7:30am. Scotia Barn.

• Emilie-Claire Barlow. 7:30pm. Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.

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

Saturday

• TJ Fest. 11am-4pm. Tian Jin Temple.

• Capture, Create, Collaborate with Sony! 1pm. Cinelease Lighting & Grip.

• Sound of a Feeling: A Spring Concert. 7:30pm. New Westminster Christian Reformed Church.

• Book Talk - The Bosniaks: Nationhood After Bosnia. 6:30pm. Halpern Centre.

• Unleash Your Inner Artist: Acrylic Painting. 12pm. 7332 4th St.

Sunday

• Burnaby Blooms. 11am-2pm. Shadbolt Centre for the Arts + Deer Lake Park.

• West Coast Wedding Show. 10am. Hilton Vancouver Metrotown.

• Saje x Heights: Mom & Tod Yoga. 9:15am. Saje Natural Wellness.

Monday

• Go Green! 12pm. Great Hall @ BCIT.

• Brentwood Blooms Workshop. 6pm. Tables Food Court.

• Weekday Meditation. 6:40pm. Online.

Tuesday

• Savvy Investor Spring Social. 6pm. 302-5491 Regent St.

• Super Mario Kart Racing Tournament. 6:30pm. Christine Sinclair Community Centre.

Wednesday

• Deer Lake Evening Walk. 6pm. Sperling Avenue Parking Lot.

• Speakeasy Toastmasters Meeting. 6pm. Online via Zoom.

• OpenRoad Honda Grand Opening. 6pm. 5723 Marine Way.