Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to get you started on this Wednesday morning.
Laurentian provides update on long-shuttered pool
Laurentian University has provided the community with an update on the status of its swimming pool, which has been closed for nearly three years now, as the university weathered the COVID-19 pandemic and its own insolvency. The university’s interim president, Sheila Embleton, said in the Jan. 31 written update that since beginning her role at the beginning of January, many people have brought up the importance of the Jeno Tihanyi Olympic Gold Pool, including LU board members. “There is a strong desire to re-open the pool,” she said, in the update. The pool, which was built in 1972, was shut down in the spring of 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and never reopened. At a May 2022 meeting of Laurentian’s senate, LU vice-president, finance and administration Michel Piché said the pool, which had been kept filled and heated during the shutdown, began to leak early last year, and by March 2022, the pool “was essentially empty.”
No asbestos found in New Sudbury fire station tests
Greater Sudbury firefighters are cleared to return to the New Sudbury fire/paramedic station. Asbestos test results for Fire Station 3 on Leon Avenue came back negative, according to a media release issued by the city on Tuesday morning, and there are no further health and safety concerns. “The Ministry of Labour is satisfied that the contractor followed all appropriate handling procedures.” Fire and paramedic crews are expected to return to the station by Wednesday, once site cleanup is complete. All construction on the site has been placed on hold due to the necessity staff relocate for approximately eight weeks to accommodate remaining renovations, which include unanticipated water/sewer main work.
Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser runs Feb. 25
You can help the Samaritan Centre with their largest fundraising event and gain insight into the challenges that the vulnerable people of Sudbury face with the Coldest Night of the Year fundraising event, held Feb. 25 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Registration is now open to join or to start a team or become a sponsor of those teams. The route this year starts at Science North and loops through Bell Park with the choice of either a two- or five-kilometre walk. Rest stops with hot chocolate and snacks for all ages will make this a family friendly event. It will also provide an opportunity to reflect on how a “walk in the park” is not as simple as it seems especially for the homeless, states a release from The Samaritan Centre.
Sudbury Burlesque wants to be your ‘Va-Va-Valentine’
Northern Ontario's premiere burlesque troupe is getting ready to celebrate love and nostalgia with their latest production. From Feb. 9-17, Sudbury Burlesque presents “Va-Va-Valentine! A Burlesque Cabaret” at Steve’s Encore Lounge in the Sudbury Theatre Centre. This latest production features a sizzling revue with Sudbury Burlesque’s cast of showgirls accompanied by a live trio of local jazz musicians. With champagne, hors-d'oeuvres, go-go dancing, sweet treats, party favours, local vendors, and more; the event promises to tantalize from the moment doors open to the minute patrons leave. “We’re going all the way back to our roots with this production,” said Jess Crowe, artistic director of Sudbury Burlesque. “We started over 10 years ago with smaller, more intimate productions and we’re very excited to get back to performances where we get to connect with each and every audience member.”
City hosting online budget 2023 information sessions
In advance of February’s city council budget deliberations, the city is hosting two 2023 budget information sessions for the public. The meetings will be held on Feb. 1 and Feb. 6, from 6-8 p.m. both nights. For residents unable to attend, they will be recorded and made available for online viewing. A question-and-answer tool will also be available for people to ask questions about the budget until Feb. 15. Residents can also call the city’s customer service line at 311 for information.
Pursuit: Pro ball has taken Samantha Cooper to surprising places
For one full year at least, Samantha Cooper had no issue with being focused almost entirely on professional basketball. Yes, somewhere down the road, the academically inclined and well-spoken young woman (Cooper is currently pursuing a masters in Sport Psychology online) will undoubtedly turn her attention to a career beyond basketball. But given all that the world has thrown her way in recent years, it’s hard to blame Cooper for enjoying a season or two where decisions are seamless and personal growth, on the court, is prevalent. When we last spoke in the summer of 2021, the 28-year-old graduate of Lockerby Composite had essentially piecemealed her way through the 2020-2021 campaign, beginning the year in Greece but making the move to France a little later on. In what amounted to a career “double dribble”, Cooper would circle back to her PAS Giannini club team, several hours from Athens, but not a terribly long ride to the coast and the Ionian Sea that separates Greece and Italy.
More bitter wind chill in the forecast
Expect a mix of sun and cloud with a 60-per-cent chance of flurries for your Wednesday. The wind will be southwesterly at 20 km/h. Today’s high is -9 but expect a wind chill of -28 in the morning and -15 in the afternoon. There is a risk of frostbite. The UV index today is one, or low. Tonight, expect cloudy periods and a low of -14.
