Vancouver Rundown Thursday December 14, 2023
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Summary
WTF?! Vancouver’s Kitsilano Pool is leaking 30,000 litres of water per hour when it operates. That sad fact has been revealed to the Vancouver Park Board along with speculation that the leak may be in some of the pipes below the pool. The current budget does not include any funds to repair the pool which underwent a major upgrade back in 2018. Staff still intend to keep the pool open in the summer of 2024 while they figure out what to do…long term.
Other news…
Beware of toxic illicit drugs…that’s the dire warning from the B.C. Coroners Service after more than 200 deaths around the province last month. The advice is for people to never use such drugs alone and have a plan to call 9-1-1 at the first signs of a toxic overdose. Drug toxicity is the leading cause of death for those aged 10-59.
Interpol is being asked for help in tracking down a Surrey cocaine smuggler who bolted for India after being found guilty of shipping the drugs across the border. The RCMP are asking Interpol to issue a ‘red notice’ for Raj Kumar Mehmi. The 60-year-old truck driver was convicted in absentia to 15 years in prison.
Get ready for a $100M expansion to the IKEA in Richmond. Business In Vancouver reports the iconic Swedish furniture store plans to expand both its retail space and the distribution centre. There’s no word on whether it plans to open more stores around the province or change its operations in Coquitlam.
Heading out of town? Expect heavy snow on the Sea to Sky Highway heading to Whistler and the three highway passes heading into the B.C. Interior. For the rest of the Lower Mainland, we’re on course for a rainy Thursday and then some sunny breaks for Friday and Saturday. Here are the latest conditions from our private weather station in Surrey.
Top five stories to know
CTV: Vancouver's Kitsilano Pool is leaking 30,000 litres of water every hour
CBC: Public safety warning issued as toxic drug deaths in B.C. rise to 7 per day
Vancouver Sun: RCMP seeks Interpol 'red notice' for Surrey cocaine smuggler who fled to India
CityNews: Drivers urged to prepare for snow along Sea to Sky Highway
Business stories to know
Business In Vancouver: Ikea putting more than $100M into B.C. expansion
Global News: B.C. company pitches ‘industrial scale’ solution to food waste
Daily Hive: 156 rental homes to be built on Arbutus Street in Vancouver Westside
Opinion
Journalism matters
Global News: Motel housing discharged Surrey hospital patients who need care and a place to stay
That’s cool
Vancouver Sun: Gordon Ramsay Burger is officially open in Metro Vancouver — and we tried it
Bonus
Globe & Mail: Major brands reinstate partnerships with Hockey Canada ahead of world juniors
