Thursday, Nov. 14 edition: City's recreation centres lack accessibility

Good morning, Burnaby!

This week’s edition focuses on an important meeting hosted by the Access Advisory Committee last month, sparking a heated debate over a lack of accessibility at Burnaby recreation centres.

In other news, Burnaby council has approved a new food systems strategy which will address various issues that contribute to food insecurity, and hundreds of residents and politicians turned out for Remembrance Day.

👀 In today's edition:

• City’s recreation centres lack accessible equipment or trained staff

• Burnaby council approves new food systems strategy

• Burnaby marks Remembrance Day

Consider forwarding this to a friend in Burnaby! New here? Sign up for free.

Advertise your business, event, or restaurant in front of 16,000+ engaged locals! Contact our team today.

NEWS

City's recreation centres lack accessible equipment or trained staff: disability advocates

The lack of accessibility at recreation centres in Burnaby sparked a heated debate among members of the city’s Access Advisory Committee during its Oct. 24 meeting. Several resident representatives expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of adaptive equipment and the absence of staff trained to assist patrons with disabilities. 

Brad Domaas, director of facilities management, said the city had just completed an inventory of the adaptive equipment in its recreational facilities and that it will do its best to improve accessibility in the future. 

“Staff are aware of the importance of adaptive fitness equipment and do take this into consideration during equipment upgrade cycles. Older facilities do have design-based limitations and staff are doing their best to incorporate adaptive equipment into these,” Domaas said. 

Read more about the Access Advisory Committee meeting here.

Burnaby Bulletin

Multi-vehicle crash. Five people were injured after a five-vehicle crash on Highway 1 in Burnaby on Tuesday morning, according to Burnaby RCMP. Two of the injured were taken to hospital in serious condition after the crash, which happened just east of the Kensington Avenue off-ramp at about 3am. [CBC]

The passing of former premier John Horgan. The City of Burnaby has released a statement following the recent passing of former premier John Horgan, honouring his legacy within the Burnaby community. You can read the entire statement, written by Mayor Mike Hurley, here. 

Winter activities have arrived! The City of Burnaby has announced that registrations for the winter season will open starting December 2. Residents are encouraged to prepare by viewing the Winter Activity Guide and add their favourite activities to their Wish List in WebReg.

Holiday shoebox collection. Operation Christmas Child by Samaritan's Purse is hosting its 2024 holiday shoebox collection week starting next Monday, Nov. 18—Burnaby and Coquitlam residents are being called upon to bring hope and happiness to kids around the world by filling up shoeboxes full of toys, school supplies and personal hygiene items. [Tri-City News]

A new technology and performing arts festival. Massey Theatre is going to have its first-ever Performing Arts and Technology Festival this week from Thursday, Nov. 14 to Sunday, Nov. 17. The festival aims to be a celebration of creativity, culture, and community, a place where organizers say “music, animation, dance, and film collide to create unforgettable experiences for all ages.” [New West Record]

A new Thai noodle house. Captain Thai Noodle House, located at 4685 Kingsway, will be having its soft opening in Burnaby this weekend, specializing in flavourful bowls similar to Thailand's bustling river markets. For more information about their menu, you can visit Captain Thai Noodle House on their Facebook page.

Support the development of the new BC Cancer – Burnaby McCarthy Centre, with thanks to the Burnaby Firefighters Charitable Society. Until October 31st, donations will be doubled.*

*Sponsored Listing

NEWS

Burnaby council approves new food systems strategy

Burnaby City Council approved the city’s new food systems strategy during its meeting on Nov. 4. The new strategy is outlined in a 39-page document, available online to the public. The strategy aims to address various issues that contribute to food insecurity such as poverty, food deserts, sustainability and well-being. 

According to the document, the actions recommended in the new food systems strategy fall under five themes: growing and harvesting, food economy, policy and regulation, community sector support and structural change. The document also mentions a sharp increase in the number of Burnaby residents utilizing food banks since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. 

“In 2022, approximately 7,000 people in Burnaby turned to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank and their community affiliates, such as the Burnaby Neighbourhood House, for assistance per week. Notably, there has been a marked increase in the number of households with children and seniors seeking support, reflecting a significant growth from pre-pandemic numbers (approx. 2,000 people a week) and the 2021 figures (approx. 3,400 people a week),” the strategy document said.

Get the full story here.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Burnaby marks Remembrance Day

Several dignitaries and politicians attended the Remembrance Day ceremonies in Burnaby South on Monday, Nov. 11, including the NDP MLAs elected into office in the recent provincial election. The parade started around 10:15am at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 83 headquarters at 5289 Grimmer St. and included members of the armed forces, veterans, RCMP members, and firefighters, among others. The parade arrived at Bonsor Park Cenotaph around 10:45am.

Several elected officials marched in the parade with the bagpipers and band, including Burnaby South MP and leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) Jagmeet Singh, as well as the newly elected Paul Choi Burnaby South Metrotown MLA Anne Kang, who was recently reelected as MLA for Burnaby Centre, and Raj Chouhan who was recently reelected as MLA for Burnaby-New Westminster. 

Get the full story here.

Where to eat & drink

🌯 Border Burrito. Located right on the border of Vancouver and Burnaby on Boundary Road, this cozy, down-to-earth eatery specializes in two things: tacos and burritos. The menu is small, consisting of only a couple options for burrito fillings (birria or chicken tinga), but rest assured you’ll want to come back for those items over and over again.

🍰 One Stop Bakery. This delightful bakery near New West is truly a one-stop shop (hence its name) for freshly baked bread, cakes, cookies, pastries and other confectionary items. Whether you’re looking for burger buns for dinner tonight or a custard cream doughnut to satisfy a sweet mid-day craving, you’ll find everything you need here (and lots more).

🥘 Simba’s Grill. Well known for the quality of the East African fusion cuisine, Simba’s Grill is an essential stop for anyone who enjoys hearty curries and spicy grilled meats, accompanied of course by generous bowls of rice and naan. Their veggie options are plentiful for anyone looking to enjoy a plant-based meal—their mbazi (pigeon peas simmered in a coconut curry) is to die for.

🤝 Now Hiring

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

• Food and Beverage Staff at Cineplex VIP

• Cashier/Line Cook at McDonalds

• AI Prompt Writer at Outlier

• Strategic Grants Writer at SFU

• Operations Team Lead at Rejuvenation Medical Group

• Corporate Purpose Manager at BCAA

• Coroner at BC Public Service

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

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Using the Internet. 3pm. Burnaby Public Library.

• Safe Community Series: Keeping Kids Safe Online. 5pm. Online via Teams. 

• Art Talk: You Don’t Know Jack. 6:30pm. Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.

Friday

• Full Moon Ceremony. 7:30pm. First United Spiritualist Church.

• Safe Dig Lunch with FortisBC. 11:45am. Delta Hotels Burnaby Conference Centre.

• Laughter Yoga. 7:30pm. Bonsor Recreation Complex.

Saturday

• Sao Martinho Dinner Dance. 5:30pm. 5455 Imperial St.

• Secrets to Get a Promotion. 7:30am. Executive Suites Hotel & Conference Centre.

• Nikkei Craft Fair 2024. 10am. 6688 Southoaks Cres.

• Wreath-Making Workshop. 10:30am-2:30pm. Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre.

Sunday

• Makaronada Lunch. 12pm. Greek Orthodox Community of East Vancouver.

• Afro’Soul’RnB. 7pm-1am. Bula Hookah Lounge.

• Hip Hop Workshop. 3:30pm. 735 Eighth Ave.

Monday

• Acrylic Pouring Class. 7:30pm. WINGS Burnaby.

• Drop-in Colouring & Crafts Party. 12pm. Simon Fraser University.

Tuesday

• Public Speaking Class. 3pm. Online via Zoom.

• Parent Reading Workshop. 9am. Stoney Creek Community School.

• Brush Hour Paint Night: Minimalist Workshop. 6:30pm. Georgie’s Local Kitchen + Bar.

Wednesday

• Restorative Healing Meditation Sound Bath. 7pm. Savasana Meditation.

• Balloon Master Class. 9am. Executive Suites Hotel & Conference Centre.