Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your weekend.
AG slams Science North for growing costs of Dynamic Earth expansion
Poor planning and ineffective project management are being blamed for cost overruns at the expansion of the Dynamic Earth science exhibit in Sudbury. An in-depth look at the project, outlined in the 2023 Annual Report released by Ontario’s Auditor General Nick Stavropoulos on Dec. 6, notes that costs ballooned to the current $15 million from its original estimate of $5 million. The multi-year project, which is being overseen by Science North, involves new construction at the tourist attraction’s Big Nickel Road site in Sudbury’s west end, as well as additional programming and educational materials that will be accessed by users across Northern Ontario and Canada. The ‘Go Deeper’ project got underway in 2019, with an initial estimated completion date of February 2023. But that date was pushed to 2024 due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, remediation requirements, and a lack of funding, the report notes. “We found that the cost overrun and delay were caused by poor planning and ineffective project management,” it says. “For example, no reliable third-party estimate was completed during the planning phase to assess the reasonableness of the cost projections. “A more reliable cost estimate would have been produced if a consultant with an engineering and construction background had been engaged during the planning phase.”
Video: Derek Durkac’s yard light display just keeps getting bigger
Now a sight to behold, with 45,000 lights brightening up the dark December night sky, Derek Durkac said his seasonal yard and light display started out small 20 years ago with some lights on his eavestrough and tree, and a few other decorations. The light display was originally something fun to do with his kids when they were young, but now it’s taken on a life of its own, with Durkac pretty much becoming Sudbury’s Clark Griswold. “Every year, I added more lights,” said Durkac, who increased the light count on his display by 10,000 between last year and this year. Originally located in New Sudbury, Durkac moved to the Donovan area three years ago, and with a bigger yard, he used that as an opportunity to add to his light display, which he runs on December weekends until Christmas. A master of recycling and DIY, Durkac uses materials such as plastic water bottles to create icicle lights, and also picks up discarded Christmas decorations on the side of the road and refurbishes them for his own use. He also creates his own cutouts, and as a Star Wars fan, he has a special affinity for creating cutouts of characters from that franchise. “All my Star Wars stuff I love, but everything that's out there, I love doing it,” Durkac said.
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Survivor of brutal 1970 Sudbury rape has penned her memoirs
It was 53 years ago this year that Linda Pharand was raped, severely beaten and left for dead by a stranger while she was walking home on Leslie Street, in the Flour Mill area of Sudbury. No arrest was ever made. “He thought I was dead, but I gave him a surprise,” Linda said. “I’m here.” Just 16 years old when she was assaulted on Oct. 18, 1970, Linda, who’s now aged 69, has lived with lifelong ramifications of what happened that terrible night, far in the past. The physical trauma left her suffering from memory loss and her face partially paralyzed, while the emotional trauma affected her mental health and relationships. Through counselling, though, she found some peace in later life, and said she is feeling good these days. “I am taking great care of myself,” Linda said, sharing that she keeps busy through her hobbies of sewing and embroidery. A decade ago, in the late fall of 2013, Linda invited a couple of Sudbury media outlets to tell her story. That included Northern Life, Sudbury.com’s predecessor print publication. You can view our 2013 article here, which shares a more detailed version of the story of her assault. It was through that initial sharing of her story with the public that Linda decided to write her memoirs. With the help of the francophone sexual assault survivor agency Centre Victoria pour Femmes, of which she is a long-time client, Linda’s story is now being told along with those of other sexual assault survivors in a book. The book, called “My Strength, My Power,” is being launched Monday, Dec. 11. The launch event takes place from 5-7 p.m. at the Northern Water Sports Centre.
Sudbury might exceed pledge to create 3,800 more homes by 2031
In a unanimous decision of Greater Sudbury city council, the city has signed on to a provincially set municipal housing target to create 3,800 more homes by 2031. It turns out the city is not only on track toward meeting the goal, but might even far exceed it. Following the numbers the province is using, Greater Sudbury hit the 20 per cent mark by the end of September, which was three months shy of two years into the 10-year goal. Following the city’s numbers, which the province may later adopt, they’ve already closed in on the 30 per cent mark. “We’re well on track this year, and city data is showing we are exceeding that number,” city senior planner Melissa Riou told city council during their Dec. 5 meeting. The start date was Jan. 1, 2022, since which time the city has issued permits for 774 new residential units by the province’s definition (to the end of September), or 20 per cent of the 2031 target. The province’s definition follows CMHC housing start numbers, which counts new foundations, and excludes property conversions and secondary units. These numbers also exclude long-term care beds and retirement homes, which Mayor Paul Lefebvre noted, “are homes where people live.” All-in, including all types of units people live in, the number of new housing units created since Jan. 1, 2022, is “over 1,100 units,” city planning services director Kris Longston told city council. Using this number, he said, “We’re almost at 30 per cent of our target two years in.” “The province has acknowledged that there are a few tweaks that need to be made to this methodology,” Riou said, noting that although the gap has been acknowledged, they’ve yet to factor it into their housing counts.
Inspire: Sports, family, competition and a busy James Bertrim
James Bertrim likes sports. A Grade 12 student at Lockerby Composite School, Bertrim is involved with several — volleyball, track and field, golf, swimming, hockey, badminton and soccer. He has won numerous city and Northern Ontario Secondary School Athletics (NOSSA) titles, and has competed at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) level, earning a silver and bronze in swimming at Windsor in 2023. He has acted as team captain for the senior boys’ volleyball team (Grades 9, 10 and 12). He most recently recieved a bronze medal with the senior volleyball team at Lockerby in November 2023. Bertrim is in the Science Technology Education Program (STEP), studying biology and enriched math, and is involved with the Athletic Association at Lockerby as co-president, organizing, supervising and scheduling events, acting as the voice of morning sports announcements, emcee for pep rallies and participating in the cancer drive each year. “Sports have always been such a dynamic part of my life,” James said. “I’ve always felt a need to be active, and I love the idea of being a part of something bigger than myself. I tried out for every team I could make time for.” Bertrim credits his sister as a major influence and inspiration.
