Community Updates

Silverlynn Seniors Complex Fire – Donate today*

LVCA

You can make a difference.

More than 40 seniors have been displaced by a fire that gutted the Silverlynn Senior’s complex in Lynn Valley on May 10th. Urgent support is needed.

Emergency responders from North Vancouver District, City of North Vancouver and West Van District, North Shore Emergency Management team attended this disastrous structure fire.

Please help these seniors get through this difficult time by donating today. LVCA President, Gillian Konst, has set up a GoFundMe for neighbours and friends to donate. Proceeds will be collected and distributed through the Family Services Society to help cover accommodation, food, medical, and any other bills. during this period of immense upheaval.

Many of the residents did not have insurance and even though they do not have a home, the bills will continue to come. We hope to have your help in making this uncertain time a bit easier for these elders in our community.

Thank you for any support. Every bit counts. Please share this link with your families and communities.

https://gofund.me/c81cb08e

North Shore Emergency Management has recommended that all donations of hard/soft goods (furniture/clothing) be directed to the Salvation Army or Shelter to Home.

OurLynnValleyCommunity #neighbourshelpingneighbours #gofundmecampaign

First Aid Training

LVCA

First Aid Courses

If you want to be ready for almost any emergency, first aid training is essential. DYK? St. John Ambulance provides training in First Aid, CPR, AEDs and related fields, along with selling first aid kits and supplies.

St John Ambulance has been updating their courses to meet new requirements from WorkSafeBC. If you need first aid training for your job or work environment, the new Standard, Intermediate, and Advanced first aid courses may be exactly what you are looking for. They also have courses for those of us just wanting to be prepared and informed. And it doesnt’ hurt to take a refresheer course!

Many of the classes are available at St. John Ambulance’s North Shore office at 223 Mountain Highway, (Main St. and Mntn Hwy behind Wendy’s and Chevron) with additional teaching locations across Metro Vancouver. Some classes are taught completely online or in a hybrid format (online and in-person). Classes are taught year round, so you can find one that works with your schedule.

Costs vary with the specific subjects. We recommend you visit their website for current course offerings and pricing.

For more information, visit St. John Ambulance online: https://sja.ca/en/bc
Email: Nshore@sja.ca
(866) 321-2651 x 1290
604-321-7493
Office Hours Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm

The 2024 Parade of Trees Winner is …

LVCA

With the last ornament packed away. lights wrapped, carpets rolled up and the stands and sand bags tucked away for another year, we finally get down to the challenging task of counting the online ballots and announcing a winners for the People’s Choice Tree, Best School Tree and the Organizer’s Choice Tree. It took a bit of time to sort through the votes and tally up.

We know you’ve been eagerly awaiting the results so without further ado, here they are . . . *drumroll please*

The People’s Choice Tree:  Monika’s Art Boutique

Best School Tree: Eastview Elementary School

Organizer’s Choice Tree: Forest Fairy Books & Toys

A special thank you once again to our Partners: (click on the name to be directed to their websites)

District of North Vancouver RONA: BH Allen Building Center Ltd. Lynn Valley Village Twin Lions Contracting and Great Canadian Landscaping Company

And to you, our “You + One” Shining Stars”, your generosity is duly noted. (in alpha order)

Absolute Landscaping; Amphitrite Homes; Bailey Environmental; Bee Haven; Brockton School; Collingwood School; Dominque Canedo; Jeff and Jonny Donohoe; Kelsie and Morgan.com; Lynn Valley Counselling; Lynn Valley Life Group; North Shore Orthodontics; North Vancouver Recreation and Culture; Powerhouse Team; Spectrum Mother’s Support Society; The Grove and Zazou.

Our thanks to this great team who stepped up to take down, load up and chip up the trees Absolute Landscaping, we love you!

A special thank you to Gillian Konst and Stefanie Donohoe for their dedication, tireless energy and incredible positivity for making it all come together.

And a big thank you to all of YOU who pitched in to make this event come together – our sponsors and volunteers. It takes a community to make events like this a success.

PS Let us know if you want us to save you a tree for next year!

Winter is Coming

LVCA

We may not want to think about it, but it’s November once again and snow will be here sooner or later. And this is a good time to remind everyone that shovelling your sidewalks is now a requirement. This changed a few years ago, when the District updated the bylaws to match those of other North Shore communities. Now we are required to clear sidewalks bordering our properties by 10am each morning if there has been a snowfall. And for the District, “Clear sidewalks means that walking is safe and accessible for everyone in the community, but especially for kids walking to school, parents with strollers, or for people who use devices like wheelchairs or scooters.”

In addition, Canada Post may have opinions about delivering mail to houses where sidewalks aren’t cleared to the mailbox.

All that said, there are a number of community residents who simply cannot clear their own sidewalks for various reasons. The first thing to do is talk with your neighbours and find out who needs help. In fact, the DNV website specifically recommends this: “Check in on your neighbours and lend a helping hand for those who need assistance clearing their sidewalks.” If you’re lucky enough to have time and ability, please consider shovelling for a neighbour who cannot do it themselves. This is the best plan where it works, and it helps build community besides.

But if that doesn’t work for some reason, there is a website – https://snowangelscanada.ca/ – where you can ask for help shovelling, and where those with the inclination can have a look to see if anyone nearby needs help. This website hasn’t yet been widely used here in North Vancouver, but it is the best resource we’ve found so far.

Credit: Jeff Powell, Editor Blueridge Bulletin

Image credit: Cathy Kuzel

Register Your Woodburning Fireplace

LVCA

Press Release October 22, 2024

Metro Vancouver Reminds Residents to Register Wood-Burning Fireplaces

​With the arrival of cool autumn weather, Metro Vancouver is asking residents to help keep the air clean in urban neighbourhoods and reminding them of the requirement to follow clean burning practices​ and register their wood-burning fireplaces, stoves, or furnaces.

Wood smoke from residential indoor wood burning can harm community health and is the largest source of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions in the region. It contributes more than a quarter of the total annual regional PM2.5 emissions and is the second top source of toxic air pollutants. Exposure to wood smoke is of particular concern in densely populated urban areas.

Metro Vancouver, which manages and monitors air emissions in the region, receives the highest number of complaints about indoor wood smoke from Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver.

In March 2020, Metro Vancouver adopted a bylaw to reduce the health and environmental impacts of emissions from residential indoor wood burning. The bylaw has been rolled out in phases, and currently requires residents to declare the use of best burning practices and register eligible wood-burning devices online. The final phase, starting in September 2025, will prohibit the use of unregistered devices in urban areas.

To build greater awareness of wood smoke impacts and bylaw requirements, Metro Vancouver is running a public education campaign through December 30, 2024.

For more than 50 years, Metro Vancouver has provided, under delegated provincial authority, the service of air pollution control and air quality management in the region. Metro Vancouver’s air quality and climate action programs aim to prevent air pollution and maintain good air quality by regulating air contaminant emissions, including greenhouse gases, to protect human and environmental health.

Declare and Register Now

If you live in an urban area, please follow best burning practices and register your wood burning device online — it’s free and takes just five minutes to complete.

metrovancouver.org/fireplace

*for newcomers to our area, North Vancouver District, North Vancouver City and West Vancouver (the North Shore) are part of Metro Vancouver. Visit Metro Vancouver’s website for more information.

2024 AGM Nov. 7th

LVCA

Lynn Valley Community Association AGM
Thursday, November 7th at 7:00pm
Mollie Nye House, 940 Lynn Valley Road

Mark your calendars for our Annual General Meeting on November 7th. This is more than just a meeting, it’s your chance to shape the future of our community. Afterward, stay for an open Q&A session with Mayor Mike Little, where you can ask questions, share concerns, and engage in meaningful dialogue about what matters most to you.

How important is your community to you?

Whether you’re new to our neighbourhood or have been here all your life, you’re the reason we exist. If you missed the excitement of the Fall Fun Fair or are looking forward to hunting Easter Eggs and the amazing displays at our Christmas Tree Parade, these events show the heart of our neighborhood. They bring us together, and we want to hear your thoughts and ideas!

Your input helps us continue planning events that foster connection and keep our community thriving.
We’d love to meet you!

All are welcome to attend but a reminder that only members in good standing may vote.

Not a member? Click here to become one!

AGENDA

  1. Call to Order
  2. Proof of Notice
  3. Adoption of Agenda
  4. Approval of Financial Reports
  5. Approval of Special Resolution
  6. President’s Report
  7. Elections
  8. Motion to Adjourn

Following the meeting there will be light refreshments and a chance to chat  with His Worship, Mayor Mike Little.

Wastewater Plant Costs Soar

Cathy Kuzel

Currently, every North Vancouver taxpayer is now facing an unprecedented $21,000 tax bill due to cost overruns on the new wastewater treatment plant.

Councillor Pope is advocating for a public inquiry to investigate how this Metro Vancouver project spiraled to six times over budget and to ensure this kind of mismanagement doesn’t happen again.

If you’re concerned about the handling of this project and support the call for a public inquiry, we encourage you to make your voice heard. Please send your thoughts by emailing: council@dnv.org

We have stated our concerns at the September 23rd Council Meeting.

The letter as follows:

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

September 23, 2024

Good Evening Mayor and Council

Lynn Valley Community Association asks that Council immediately requests a public inquiry into the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant fiasco. 

We had originally intended to speak in support of Councillor Pope’s motion requesting a public inquiry but we are frustrated to learn that this motion has been deferred until November 4th.   

Meanwhile, seven local city councillors representing five different cities have penned an open letter calling on B.C.’s auditor general to conduct an independent review of the facility’s finances. These Councillors are actively working to request transparency and accountability from Metro Vancouver, SPECIFICALLY regarding the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant project. Why then, is the District of North Vancouver silent?

Metro Vancouver has appointed John J.L. Hunter, a former judge, who will perform an “independent audit”.   Such an audit is typically NOT a public document, and Metro Vancouver is NOT required to make it public. 

Every North Shore taxpayer is facing a massive and unprecedented $21,000 tax bill to pay for this boondoggle and Metro Vancouver’s incompetence.  North Shore taxpayers did not vote for this project, the entire Metro Vancouver board did.  Why then are North Shore taxpayers alone responsible for the cost over runs?  Why are all Metro Vancouver members not sharing the cost of this project?   

The project was to have been completed in 2020 at a cost of $500 million; it is now stalled and is more than 6 times over budget.

Still we have no idea how or when this project will be completed.

Questions that need to be answered by a full public inquiry include:

  • Why did Metro Vancouver award a full “Design and Build” contract to Acciona instead of doing a proper design project first before issuing a completely separate contract to build the facility?
  • Why was Metro Vancouver not aware of all the site issues before the design and build contract was awarded?
  • Why wasn’t Metro Vancouver monitoring Acciona’s progress before things got so far out of Metro Vancouver’s control?
  • Is the current “estimate” of $3.8 billion to complete this project, including out of court settlements, accurate?   Or will Metro Vancouver reveal more cost overruns and court settlements?

Clearly, Metro Vancouver’s Board and staff have mismanaged this project, leaving North Shore taxpayers on the financial hook, with no accountability for those responsible for the mismanagement.

This is not acceptable.  Only a full public inquiry is acceptable to determine how and why this project was so badly mismanaged and to ensure such incompetence is not repeated. 

A public inquiry needs to happen now.  North Shore taxpayers need Council to act now. 

The other municipalities and organizations that constitute Metro Vancouver need to know how badly Metro Vancouver has failed.  They too should demand a public inquiry into this fiasco.   Their municipality could be next. 

We request Council petition for a public inquiry IMMEDIATELY. 

Gillian Konst

President, Lynn Valley Community Association

DOWNLOAD PDF

25th Annual Arts in the Garden

LVCA

Arts in the Garden hosted by North Van Arts is an annual outdoor community event based on the North Shore. A perennial favourite for art and garden lovers everywhere. Gardens and all variety of artists will be positively blooming and workshops will help everyone to grow their talents!

This year it takes place this coming Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26, bringing visual artists, musicians, performers, and workshops to ten outdoor spaces across the North Shore.

This event is an encounter of people and is in its 25th year running. Hosted on the last weekend of May, Arts in the Garden has been bringing arts to garden spaces across the North Shore since 1999. The event has been expanding and changing ever since its creation, gradually adding a minimum of two visual artists in each garden, and live music throughout the full event weekend. In 2021, the online event expanded to include performance arts, engagement activities, and workshops. Each of these elements were brought into 2022’s in-person event, along with Feathers and Fungi, a workshop series hosted at Maplewood Flats in partnership with Wild Bird Trust of BC.

All Arts in the Garden locations are listed on the webpage panels linked in the menu, or through the ‘read the event guide’ tab below. Garden pages include parking and transporation information.

The Event Guide: https://issuu.com/katherinegc335/docs/aig2024-brochure-single It is online only.

Most garden spaces have an entry fee of $5 cash. West Vancouver Memorial Library, Harmony Garden, Loutet Farm and Maplewood Flats have entrance by donation. Children under the age of 12 can enter for free.

$35 Garden Passes are available for purchase online or at CityScape Community ArtSpace (335 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver) in advance of the event, or at each garden venue during the event weekend. North Van Arts members get a 10$ discount on the garden pass. Call 604-988-6844 for more information.

PREPARE FOR THE WEEKEND

Bring Cash: Garden entry fees and donations are cash only! Some artists and performers will be selling their work at the event, so bring cash and your card so that you are prepared to make a purchase.

Look for Signage: Each garden will be marked by a tent hosting one or two volunteers ready to greet you.

Locations and ticket details here:
https://northvanarts.ca/events-exhibitions/arts-in-the-garden-2024-2/