Temporary admin period ends at CV Seniors Village
The appointment period ended for a temporary administrator overseeing the operation of the Comox Valley Seniors Village. Island Health had appointed Susan Abermann as administrator last fall after a campaign from family members of residents highlighted compliance problems at the facility. The management company, Pacific Reach, operates as West Coast Seniors Housing Management. CVSV is part of the Retirement Concepts group, which is owned by a company called Cedar Tree – part of Anbang Insurance Group. Anbang had been seized by the Chinese government in 2018 after its former chair was charged with fraud.
Problem house in Fanny Bay
A delegation from Fanny Bay appealed to regional district directors for a solution to end a long list of problems with a property in the community. Neighbours said the situation had worsened at 501 Holiday Rd. in terms of garbage, gunshots, drug dealing and out-of-control fires. One day, an individual from the property was screaming and banging on a door. It turned out the man was carrying two machetes. The property is owned by landlord Amandio Santos, whose various Comox Valley rental properties have repeatedly been called out by neighbours for illegal activities.
The Record contacted Santos but he was not interested in discussing the situation.
“It’s not my problem, nothing I can do about it,” Santos said. “That’s been taken care of.”
Man turns 102
Members of a car club paraded past Doug de Wolff’s home to help ring in his 102nd birthday on Aug. 12. The Second World War veteran lives with his daughter and her partner in the Craigdarroch neighbourhood in south Courtenay. Family members and friends gathered on the driveway to celebrate the eventful day. Born in the community of Sardis in the Fraser Valley, de Wolff said he “started out as a farm kid in the Chilliwack area.” It was later while teaching school in Kaslo, B.C. when he “felt the pangs of war” and joined the air force.
Director’s winery for sale
James Cameron, director, producer, writer and editor of blockbuster movies like Avatar and Titanic, put his Comox Valley winery up for sale. He had purchased Beaufort Vineyard and Estate Winery north of Courtenay in 2014 for $2.7 million. The 84-acre property, which includes buildings, a tasting room, wine bar and equipment, is on the market for $5.6 million.
Search and Rescue rebrands
After 46 years of service, the Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue Society rebranded as Comox Valley Search and Rescue. The term ‘ground’ was retired to better communicate a broader scope of operational environments.
CVSAR volunteer cautions against river swimming
A group of bystanders used a rope to rescue a young man caught in high water Aug. 18 at Nymph Falls. While their efforts prevented a possible tragedy, Comox Valley Search and Rescue cautioned the public when it comes to river rescues.
“One of the absolutes of swift water rescue is to never tie anyone into a rope,” CVSAR volunteer Mike Bryan said. “Somebody can get pulled under by the current, and it can bend them at the waist, especially in a strong current…(But) They did their best and they got him out.”
BUSINESS
Roofing company celebrates 40 years
What started as a Comox Valley family business in 1980 has evolved into one of the largest roofing companies on Vancouver Island. Nelson Roofing and Sheet Metal has branched out to Campbell River and Powell River, to complement the corporate office in Cumberland. The company is the biggest roofing and cladding contractor north of Victoria. It was established 40 years ago by Russ and Sharon Nelson, with four employees, a dump truck and a two-ton truck, located in a rented warehouse on Kilpatrick Avenue. The company has grown into a major north Island employer, with 102 employees and a 75-vehicle fleet. Chris and Tatyana Smith took over the business in 2008. It was essentially a turnkey transition, with all staff retained.
Home-Based Business Association advocates rule change
The Comox Valley Home-Based Business Association has requested Courtenay council to consider amending zoning bylaws to allow a greater number of people to operate businesses at home.
SPORTS
85-year-old sprinter
Louise Reed, an 85-year-old sprinter from Comox, submitted times from four events to the virtual version of the 2020 World Masters Track and Field Championships. She ran the 100- and 200-metre dashes at the Vanier track in a friendly race against Lake Cowichan’s Marg Radcliffe, who competes in the 75-79 age division. Over the years, both athletes have won numerous medals at the 55+ BC Games. The races were not part of an organized competition, but three people were on hand to assist with starting and timing. Reed also runs the 400-metres, and competes in the power walk.
Courtenay hosted BC strongman/strongwoman event
Comox Valley athletes dominated the B.C.’s Strongest Man/Woman competition Aug. 1 at Valley View Park in Courtenay.
“It was a long contest on a very hot, sun-drenched day,” said organizer/competitor Sean Hayes of Courtenay. “Athletes really had to push themselves to make it.”
Hayes was one of eight locals with a top-three finish. He was crowned B.C.’s strongest man by winning four of five events in the men’s heavyweight division.
Norris crowned champ
Tobi Norris emerged victorious at the Crown Isle Golf Club ladies championship. She shot a two-day total of 171 to win the low gross trophy. Jan Bain was the low net champion, carding a two-day net score of 140.
Board approves money for field house
The Comox Valley Regional District board approved a $115,000 contribution to the Comox Valley United Soccer Club to help construct a field house next to the Vanier turf field. The money will come from a recreation grant service, which has been under-prescribed this year due to changes such as pool closures, as a result of COVID-19. The club had asked the district for $150,000 to build the field house, which is estimated to cost $445,000.
Cumberland skier earns spot on British ski team
Gabe Gledhill, a junior Nordic skier from Cumberland, was selected to Great Britain’s national performance squad for the 2020/2021 season. Gledhill, 17, has spent seven-plus years with the Strathcona Nordic Ski Club, based at Mount Washington. Born in England, he knew nothing about cross-country skiing until his parents took him to Mount Washington — and the seeds for a love of skiing were sown.
Crown Isle pro in top 10
Crown Isle pro Brian Wise was the top local golfer at the PGA of BC Championship at Crown Isle. He finished in a three-way tie for ninth at one-over par.