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The Chair acknowledged School
Trustee Hayes in the audience and advised that Commissioner Matricardi and School
Trustee Narang sent their regrets. The Chair announced the beginning of the
public comment/question period. The audience was encouraged to speak to the
Commission on matters of interest or concern.
Ms. Janice Bobic inquired regarding
the whereabouts of the native totem poles near the Horizons Restaurant in
Burnaby Mountain Park as they were there when the park opened in 1958.
The Director advised that the native
totem poles were damaged by insects. Staff advised that they have to look
into the whereabouts of the totem poles to the west of the restaurant. The
two totem poles to the east were taken down because of safety hazard to the
public. Their deteriorated condition is natural. Normally the poles will
reside where they fall and return to earth. Those poles were taken away for
safety reasons and put in storage at Barnet Beach. Staff have been in
contact with the artists’ families. There is a traditional protocol for the
totem poles to be restored to earth and it is under review. Staff have also
contacted the Simon Fraser University and local cultural organizations to
determine the appropriate way to celebrate the demise of these poles. Any
future installation of totem poles is a matter of policy related to the
public art program in Burnaby. The Playground of the Gods was commissioned
and offered as a gift from the City of Kushiro in 1990 to the community of
Burnaby. The preservation and restoration of totem poles is an expensive
process. Staff are not aware of the totem pole in front of the restaurant
and can look into this matter.
Ms. Bobic thanked staff for the
information.
School Trustee Larry Hayes thanked
the Commission for the support of the Montecito and Cameron playground
development grants. The long standing partnership is much appreciated. The
Byrne Creek Secondary School turf field replacement project is another
example of the partnership. The facility will be well used by the school and
the community. As a long-time member of the Burnaby Minor Hockey
Association, School Trustee Hayes thanked the Commission and Parks staff,
especially the front line staff, for their support.
Mr. Tom Kellett of the Burnaby Minor
Lacrosse Club expressed appreciation of the Commission’s continued support
for the 34th Jack Crosby
Novice All Star Tournament. The Midget Provincials will be held in July.
They hope to see the new arena in 2020 to increase their dry floor time.
However, they are still looking forward to the new covered sports box for
more practice time.
The Chair provided an update of the
soil testing with unfavourable results at a potential site to build a covered
sports box in the Central Valley. Staff are still searching for a suitable
site.
The Director advised that other
potential sites in this precinct are being explored and analyzed for the
right soil type.
The Chair advised that at the
Council meeting on 2018 February 26, the tender for the new arena was
awarded.
At the conclusion of the meeting,
the Chair thanked the audience for their attendance.
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