Letattys Library, ‘Adament Big Victoria, B. ee V8V 1x4 ia, 501 Belleviny, St Feb. 28 Pool referendum Saturday By RON NORMAN The president of the Castlegar and District Project Society says he expects voters will approve a proposed $2.2 million indoor aquatic centre in Saturday's referendum. “I'm cautiously optimistic,” Ron Ross told the Castlegar News in an interview Tuesday. Ross says he's buoyed by the fact at only a few area resi have ion to the aquatic centre. However, he adds that he is also a “little afraid” that if voters assume the rferendum will pass “they may stay home.” Ross said the, provincial government is probably waiting until after the Oct. 15 referendum to decide if it will provide funding for the centre. He suggested the government would be more willing to help pay for the cost of the indoor facility if 80 per cent of the voters agree to the centre than say only just over 50 per cent vote in favor, “I don't want just 50 (per cent),"” Ross said. “I'd like | includes a 25-metre, six-lane indoor pool, a wading pool with spray fountain, a sauna/steam bath, an aerobics area, a weight training room, a whirlpool and a viewing/concession area. Voters in the City of Castlegar, Area J (Robson, Raspberry, Ootischenia and Blueberry), and part of Area I (Pass Creek, Brilliant, Tarrys and Thrums) are eligible to vote. And judging by the turnout at the two advance polls, voting on Saturday should be heavy. A total of 49 people voted at the Oct tlegar. city hall. “That's excellent,” said a spokesman for the Regional District of Central Kootenay, which’ is conducting the referendum, “It looks like it's going to be a very large turnout.” Castlegar city clerk Betty Price said the usual turnout for a referendum advance poll is 14 or 15. Another 21 people voted at Tuesday's advance poll for Area I and J residents. Another advance poll goes Friday from 2-8 p.m. at the Community Complex and the regional district office in Nelson. Polls will be open from: a.m. - 8 p.m. on Saturday There are polling stations in Pass Creek, Robson, Blueberry, Tarrys and at the Community Complex Meanwhile, the Castlegar Chamber of Commerce 7 poll in has given the proposal its resounding endorsement. Chamber president Dalé Nielsen said the “directors agreed it was a worthwhile project.” Ina poll of the chamber membership “all responses from members were favorable,” Nielsen said. An indoor pool in Castlegar will benefit directly all segments of society in Castlegar, particularly our senior citizens and youth,” said the chamber in a prepared release. “It will draw people into Castlegar who will assist in paying operating costs and who may visit local businesses while here.” Elsewhere, the Rossland-Trail Social Credit constituency association has written Elwood Veitch, Minister for Regional Development, supporting the aquatic centre ) Vol. 41, No. 82 60 Cents RY) Py Msi. Castlegar News CASTLEGAR, BRITISH COLUMBIA, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1988 WEATHERCAST There will be increasing clouds and a few showers for tomorrow. Highs to 14 lows to 7. The outlook for the weekend is for cloudy, cool and unsettled weather 4 Sections (A, B, C & D) ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL night’s jubilee concert at CC CELEBRATES 50 YEAR . The Kootenay Youth Choir was one of several Doukhobor choirs that performed at Saturday the Biliant Cultural Centre celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Union of Spritual Communities of Christ. Evening also included performances by CasNewsPhoto by Chery! Calderbank visiting Soviet artists. Local Socred head endorses premier By BONNE MORGAN Staff Writer The president of the Rossland. Trail Social Credit party says he endorses Premier Bill Vander Zalm's leadership. “I personally am not unhappy with his leadership at all,” Walter Sie- mens told the Castlegar News Tues. day. As well, Siemens said local Socred directors are opposed to a secret ballot on the issue at the party's annual convention beginning Oct. 20 in Penticton. At a meeting last Wednesday con. stituency directors were asked whe. ther they thought the resolution dealing with Vander Zalm’s leader ship should be decided by a secret ballot or the traditional show of hands at the convention. “The majority of the directors supported an open vote,” said Sie- mens, adding that a few directors did not vote, which could indicate a negative or undecided vote. A number of delegates from other Socred constituencies have proposed a.secret ballot on Vander Zalm's leadership. Some delegates have also proposed amending the second motion which asks members for a show of strength on leadership and government. continued on page A2 WALTER SIEMENS supports premier MacBain won’t run By CasNews Staff There will be at least one new face on Castlegar council following the Nov. 19 municipal election. Ald. Bob MacBain told the Castlegar News doesn't intend to n, “Td be very happy to run again,” MacBain said, but he added that personal obligations make it impos. sible. MacBain’s wife, Marjorie, suffered a stroke last year. She will be re turning to Castlegar from Vancouver next month and MacBain said he will Sawmill workers settle By CasNews Staff Workers at the Southern Wood Products sawmill in Castlegar and six forestry work- ers in Nakusp have accepted a new three-year contract with Westar Timber Ltd, The 280 members of Local 1-405 of the International Wood- workers of America-Canada rati- fied the three-year deal last week in Castlegar. Klaus Of- fermann, Local 1-406 first vice- president, did not have the exact — of the acceptance vote but union voted “tow two-thirds in favor” of the deal. ky along TS other contracts signed this sum- mer by union members in the northern and southern Interior, Offermang said. The contract calls for an 86-cent-an-hour in- crease in the first year with 5.5 percent increase in each of the second and third years. The union's base rate was $14.48 an hour. “The settlement is in line with wording that will review ap- prenticeship procedures and provide additional apprentice- ships.” As well, the company will provide the six forestry workers in Nakusp with rain gear and all members will receive “improve tents” on their safety footwear allowance, Offermann said Office and maintenance work ers are also covered in the con- tract. “There will be category revi sions for office workers,” he said. “(As well} we put into writing a compressed mainten ance shift. Weekend mainten ance workers will get 40 hours’ pay for 30 hours of work on the be devoting his energies to her. MacBain's seat is one of three aldermanic positions up for election this year. The other two are held by Len Embree and Patti Richrds Richards confirmed that she will run again, but Embree hasn't made up his mind “I feel one term is a learning pro cess,” Richards said in explaining why she is seeking re-election. Rich ards was first elected two years ago. Embree, a 12-year council veteran, said he is “considering” running again. “Twelve years has been a long time,” he said. All three positions are two-year terms. That means the positions will expire at the same time as the other council positions. Mayor Audrey Moore, and alder. men Lawrence Chernoff, Terry Rog: Gn poge A2 Vacancy worries council By CasNews Staff Castlegar council expressed con cern Tuesday night that the area's medical health officer may not be promptly replaced. Council learned that Dr. Monty Arnott has been appointed medical health officer and director of the Simon Fraser Health Unit on the Lower Mainland effective Nov. 10. The unit serves the Coquitlam/New Westminster area. Arnott has been medical health Officer and director of the Central Kootenay Health Unit in Castlegar for the last eight years. In a letter to council, Arnott said Dr. Arnold Lowden, medical health officer for the East Kootenay Health Unit in Cranbrook, will be the acting medical health officer for the Central Kootenay. As well, Shirley Hunter Oglow, the supervisor of public health nursing at the Central Kootenay Health Unit, will be acting director Mayor Audrey Moore said she is concerned Arnott may not be re placed. “We hope that Dr. Arnott will be replaced here,” she said Ald. Patti Richards pointed out that the Arnott issue will be discuss: ed at the Central Kootenay Union Board of Health meeting in Castlegar Thursday “I certainly will express our con cerns,” Richards said Ald. Terry Rogers said he doesn't believe a medical health officer based in Cranbrook can properly serve the West Kootenay “I just really suspect that this Dr Lowden, no matter how good he is, simply cannot large as the enay.” Rogers noted that the Central Kootenay Health Unit is the result of one amalgamation the former Selkirk Health Unit based in Nelson and the West Kootenay Health Unit based in Trail. “I'm really concerned about the level of service we can expect,” Rogers said, adding that he has heard Arnott may not be replaced service an area as East and West Koot Rezoning decision delayed By CasNews Staff Castlegar council delayed making any decision Tuesday on a local radio station's rezoning application until its Oct. 25 meeting. “My reason for deferring is to give me more time to think about it,” explained Ald. Terry Rogers, chair man of the planning and development committee. “I don't feel comfortable with the continued on page A4 DR. MONTY ARNOTT leaving area INSIDE Rebels on skid page Bl Lottery numbers The winning numbers drawn Tuesday in The Pick lottery were 3, 12, 17, 19, 34, 37, 40 and 48 Forum planned page A2 NEC alive and well page A4