New Tutorial program launches in Prince Rupert

With School back in session, the opportunities for parents and guardians to access some additional educational help has increased for 2022.

For those looking for some tutorial help, there is the long running program offered by Pac 10 Tutoring, which has seen a large volume of students pass through their doors over the years, covering a wide range of subjects to help Prince Rupert students along their educational path. More on their work can be reviewed through their Facebook page.

And this year, a new Not-for-Profit tutorial service has been announced, called Reader's Way, which as the name suggests has a focus on developing reading skills.

The program which is anticipated to launch this fall, is led by Tom Kertes a local educator, with the sessions to take place at St. Andrew's Anglican Church on Fourth Avenue West.

“The whole community can help young people catch up by volunteering and helping them learn to read. Our community has committed to helping all students read at grade level by the end of Grade 3. This important goal can be reached by us all working together - as families, public and private schools, community organizations, and individuals who want to help.” -- Reader's Way coordinator Tom Kertes

As part of a press release issued this week, Mr. Kertes outlined what they have in mind for the school year ahead.

As Reader's Way explains it:

The centre will eventually provide tutoring for students in grades K-3, starting with programs for students in grades 2-3 this January 2023 and programs for students in grades 1-3 to begin in April 2023. 

Volunteer outreach and training begins this fall, with an open house on Wednesday Sept. 21st from 4:30-5:30 PM at the community hall in the St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, 240 4 Ave West, Prince Rupert.

St. Andrew’s Anglican Church is donating use of its community hall to support literacy and learning in the community. This helps lower fees and will ensure that all families, regardless of ability to pay, can access tutoring services at the centre.

The community organizers have also issued a call for volunteers to help with the program.

For more information related to their plans visit their website or call 778-884-5343.

More notes on education in the Northwest can be explored through our archive page.

A challenge looms for the "Boys Club" on Third Avenue West

Two new entries in the 2022 Prince Rupert City Council race will be looking to break the hold that males have had on Civic government over the last four years.

That as Sheila Gordon-Payne and Terri Forster place their names on the ballot to seek your vote for the October 15th Election Day. 

Their entry a welcome one for those looking for some potential balance to the Council Chamber which saw an all male collective put in place in 2018.

For Ms. Gordon-Payne it's a return to the political scene following her 2014 Mayoral bid, that quest for office saw the long serving member of Northern Health take part in a crowded race for the top elected post. 

The crowded field one which saw Mayor Lee Brain come out atop a number of high profile candidates for the post from that electoral cycle.

A past two tern Council member, Ms. Gordon-Payne will be a familiar candidate for many, arriving in the Council Chamber in 2004 and  returned to City Council in 2008, a year marked by close to a polar opposite make up  to today for the Council membership when voters sent five of six female candidates on to civic duty.

She sat out the 2011 campaign, before launching her 2014 campaign for Mayor.

 

Joining the once incumbent, will be Terri Forster, a long time member of Northern Health as well, who has been very active with the BCNU during her time in the employ of the Health Authority.

Ms. Gordon Payne has not launched a social media campaign yet, while Ms. Forster's campaign presentation can be explored further here.

In other election themes for the 2022 campaign, as we outlined yesterday the City of Prince Rupert advised that 14 nomination packages for the City Council and Mayor's election had been picked up at City Hall as of Tuesday. 

There have been more than a few social media shout outs, or visual aids placed around the city to indicate who has an interest in the 2022 election. 

But as it turns out, only a few can be considered 'official' just yet.

Wednesday, another member of the hard working City Staff offered up a link to a helpful guide, one which makes note as to just how many of the fourteen have completed their paper work and put their name in nomination. 

Veronika Stewart, the City's Communications Director pointed us to the Civic Info Election Portal which provides the snaps shot of the moment as to who is officially considered in the election race for 2022.

The 2022 election listings of confirmed 
candidates can be found from the CivicInfoBC website

While it's not indicated as to how frequently the information relay is updated by Civic Info BC, that page should see some increased activity over the next 48 hours or so as we make our way to the 4 PM deadline on Friday for the submission of the nomination packages.

You can catch up on the 2022 campaign themes from our archive page here.

Provincial Government announces measures to address cost of living challenges in BC

Premier Horgan outlined some new measures in the province
to help assist British Columbians take on some of the financial
challenges they face owing to increased costs

Premier John Horgan took on the theme of inflation today as part of a BC Government presentation that outlined some new measures and modifications to current programs to offer some relief to British Columbians in challenging financial times.

“Everyone is feeling the squeeze of global inflation, which is driving up the cost of groceries, gas, and other goods and services. Our next support measures will help bring down costs for renters, put money back into people’s pockets and offer families a cushion during challenging times.” -- Premier John Horgan

Some of the measures include help towards rent by way of caps on increases,  assistance for sports programs, renaming a current provincial program for Children's Benefits and changes to the Climate Action Tax Credit program.

Among the measures introduced by Finance Minister Selina Robinson include:

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The full announcement with links to the programs noted above can be examined here.

The Finance Minister observed how the measures to be introduced will provide relief to those with lower incomes, who are most affected by cost increases.

“People with lower incomes and people raising children are the most affected by the cost increases we’re seeing around the world. These measures are our next steps in helping to support those who need it most.” -- Selina Robinson, Minister of Finance

The new Government measures were introduced at a sports field in the Premier's home riding of Langford, a fitting locale with the province adding to the resources for the KidSport initiative in British Columbia. 

Among the observations from the media on hand was the rather slow roll out of the ICBC relief cheques announced earlier this year, noting that British Columbians will need assistance on a quicker pace than that program provided for.

The full video of the financial assistance roll out along with Questions from the media can be reviewed below:

The funding announcements today, follow up on announcements last week for families with children in Schools.

Today's announcement from the Finance Minister and Premier also comes following last week's review of the province's finances and a shift in their financial forecast from earlier this year, which noted of a faster recovery for the BC economy.

That however was a topic that the province's Auditor General had a few things to say about.

More notes on the Legislature can be explored from our archive page.

Performers set for Three night Gala celebrating 35 years of the Lester Centre

The Lester Centre of the Arts celebrates its 35th Birthday
next month with a three night gala presentation

Three nights in October promise something for everyone as the Lester Centre of the Arts celebrates its 35th anniversary with a billboard of Dance, Magic, Mirth and Music!

The Gala Events will take place from October 13-15 with Opening night on Thursday one of Dance with the Dance Academy of Prince Rupert, Harbour Theatre Society, Amago'ot Gyetm Maaxii dancers also on hand for Opening night will be Harbour Theatre performers, along with a special edition of Hook, Line and Sinker.

Find out more about Thursday night's ice breaker for the Gala here

Friday is all about the Magic, as the Lester Centre welcomes Chris Funk for a Night of Wonder and Magic, a multimedia experience that will keep you wondering 'how did he do that?" long after the curtain comes do.

Learn a bit about Chris Funk and what to expect here

Saturday Night is turned over to one of Prince Rupert's most popular musical groups Triple Bypass who will rock the Lester into the night. The opening act will once again give those in attendance a preview of the rising stars on the way, as the Ring System Studios showcases its talents.

A preview of the closing night can be explored here

The North Coast's Entertainment showcase is going to be busy place this month as well,  with Johnny Reid in town for two shows, the demand for tickets to the September 12th so strong, he'll be sticking around the North Coast for a second show on the 13th, with maybe enough time in the city  to come up with another musical tribute for Prince Rupert.

A Night with Tony Aganaba arrives on September 29th, while a much anticipated presentation of the play Bunk #7 is set for October 8th.

Find out more on those events here

Keep up with any news from the Lester Centre through their Social Media page

More on the Arts and Entertainment scene in the Prince Rupert area can be reviewed from our archive page.

Reduced Hours planned for Earl Mah Aquatic Centre as reopening date nears

Once the annual maintenance for the Earl Mah Aquatic Centre is complete later this month, there will fewer dates available on the calendar for access to the facility.

That as the City of Prince Rupert faces ongoing staffing challenges in the area of life-guards.

We took note of that last week, with a review of some of the job positions currently available at the Recreation Centre.

An announcement released by the City today notes of the recent period of sudden closures and rearranged scheduling owing to the staffing shortage.

The prospects for adding staff seemingly not on the rise at the moment, the city outlined the situation as follows:

This change will be effective as of the September 12th reopening of the pool, and is aimed at reducing the frequency of closures. This change will ensure that the Department can operate more consistently, and give patrons greater surety around pool availability. 

Changes to opening hours have been focused specifically on non-peak times, in order to impact the lowest possible number of users. Recreation staff have reached out to our frequent users that we know access the facility during non-peak times, who will be most impacted by the changes. 

In addition, the City has and will continue to offer lifeguard training to support local capacity to fill these critical lifeguarding positions. If and when additional capacity is available, this schedule change will be revisited.

The City notes that legally it is required to have a minimum number of lifeguards per patron to operation the facility and with that they have posted the revised scheduled:

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The City also notes that the Recreation Department is continuing with its search for lifeguards, and if you want to join their staff or know someone who might want to, to contact them at 250-624-6707 or email Recreation Manager Ashely Dailge the Rec Manager can be reached at ashley.daigle@princerupert.ca

The full announcement can be explored here.

More notes on civic themes can be reviewed from our archive page.

Civic Centre Ice goes in as various groups make plans for Fall

The Ice went in at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre over the Labour Day Weekend, the new sheet the latest sign of fall's arrival and a full schedule ahead for the city's only ice surface for youth sports activities.

With the new ice, the Recreation Centre has outlined how the skating schedule outside of organized activities will commence this fall.

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The details towards those skating opportunities can be reviewed from the Recreation Guide for the fall which you can review on page four of the guide available here.

As for the rest of those open spaces, the various organizations that use the rink will be dividing up the time as they firm up their plans for the fall.

The Prince Rupert Minor Hockey Association seems to have moved a bit further ahead with their registration from the concerning notes of a few weeks ago of the potential for no season owing to historically low enrolment numbers . 

The theme of their messaging has now shifted, with the Association now looking to secure coaches and Division managers.  

The Prince Rupert Skating Club hosted their Registration Night on August 30th and you can learn more about their plans this season from their social media stream.

And the Recreation Hockey League is set to start up, with registration available through the Civic Centre and more information available from Brett Stava . 

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The closing date for those interested in play this season coming up on September 29th.

And of course, many a Friday or Saturday night and Sunday afternoon will see the Jim filled with the faithful followers of the Prince Rupert Rampage. The CIHL team has not released the details of the 2022-23 schedule yet.

You can follow their social media feed for more updates on the season ahead.

For more notes from the Recreation Centre follow the City's Recreation feed here.

Municipal election participation plans pick up as nomination deadline nears

The pace of those that have picked up nomination packages for the 2022 Civic and School District elections has picked up as we crossed over the Labour Day weekend. 

With the City of Prince Rupert's Corporate Administrator Rosa Miller advising that as of yesterday, city staff had handed out 14 nomination packages for Council and 8 nomination packages for School Trustee. 

That's a significant jump from when we checked in at mid August, when just four four packages had been handed out for the council positions and two for School District posts.

The City Council breakdown between thoes contesting the Mayoralty race and that of Council won't be known until the nomination period closes, the deadline for would be candidates to submit their completed nomination packages is this Friday at 4 PM.

As we noted yesterday, so far the candidates who have declared their plans to run include two incumbents on Council, Gurvinder Randhawa and Wade Niesh.

Andy Chugh has also announced his intention to seek a seat at the council table. 

For the Mayor's race, three candidates have announced, Jason Hoang, Herb Pond and Chrystopher Thompson.

You can review the full scope of what is required to seek a seat on Prince Rupert City Council here, the information for the School Board race is available here.

More notes on the 2022 Civic Election can be explored through our archive page.