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Year in Review: Ice Hawks awarded 2022 Cyclone Taylor Cup

A look back at our top stories in October 2021
Ice Hawks Cyclone Taylor Cup
In October, the Delta Ice Hawks were named the host city for the 2022 Cyclone Taylor Cup Provincial Junior B Hockey Championship slated for April in Ladner.

Here is a look back at a few of the top stories in the Optimist 2021 Year in Review:

Group hopes to improve water quality of Boundary Bay

Delta will take part in a gathering of local and indigenous governments south of the Fraser River to see what can be done to improve water quality of the Canadian-US shared waters of Boundary Bay.

Members of the Shared Waters Alliance, an international working group made up of representatives from government, First Nations and community groups from both countries, made a presentation to Delta council last week to discuss the ongoing shellfish harvesting closure on the Canadian side due to bacteriological contamination.

Indigenous peoples, including the Semiahmoo First Nation, traditionally harvested the abundant fish and shellfish resources for their livelihood.

The Alliance’s objectives include, among other things, a collaborative approach to monitoring and facilitating transparent communication among stakeholders to bring action-based objectives that will achieve measurable improvements in local water quality.

Masks now required for all students at Delta schools

All students in kindergarten through Grade 12 in Delta and throughout the province are now required to wear masks in schools.

The announcement from the province followed several school districts implementing their own K-12 mandates, while the B.C. Teachers Federation had been calling for a stricter mandate for some time.

In a letter to parents following the announcement, Delta School District superintendent Doug Sheppard said the mandate was expanded in response to the evolving situation with the Delta variant and increasing levels of concern among some parents, students, teachers and boards of education. 

All students and staff were required to wear a mask when inside a school building, including while at their desks and on buses, building on the former guidelines that applied to students in grades 4 to 12. Staff will continue to work with students and families in a positive and supportive way regarding mask wearing, Sheppard said, adding exceptions to the mask policy remain the same. 

Delta doctors urge residents to get their flu shots

Delta family doctors are urging residents to get their influenza shots and not let their guard down from a deluge of COVID-19 information.

For the second straight year, the Delta Division of Family Practice hosted a mass community flu shot clinic at the Harris Barn in Ladner.

Last year’s event, run by volunteer doctors, nurses and pharmacists, went exceptionally well with bookings solid on each of the days and more than 3,000 residents vaccinated. Throw in the COVID-19 safety practices of mask wearing, hand-washing and social distancing, and it was one of the tamest flu seasons on record, with just 18 cases recorded province-wide.

However, doctors warn this year could be vastly different as the pandemic restrictions ease.

“Last year was an unusually low year for influenza in the community. The big part of that was everybody was at home, wearing masks, PPE and there was less of an opportunity for transmissions,” explained Dr. Adriana Wong. “This year, people are starting to travel and getting a little more complacent where they think they don’t have to worry about the flu.

“Every year there are a number of cases of influenza and it can be a very serious disease. When you don’t see it for a whole year you kind of forget that. Everybody’s mind is on COVID-19.”

Delta Police officers help raise $190,000 on Cops for Cancer ride

It was an experience of a lifetime for three Delta Police officers who participated in this year’s Cops for Cancer ride as members of the Tour de Valley team.

Rookie riders Bianca Boyce, Grayson Hawkins and Terra Schmuland pedalled 438 km over five days and helped raise more than $190,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society.

Tour de Valley made stops at 26 schools from Delta to Chilliwack. Training for the tour began back in the spring as the riders built up their endurance in the months ahead.

 “Our officers, constables Boyce, Schmuland and Hawkings, similar to other Delta Police officers in years past, volunteered their time to train, fundraise, and ride along other dedicated law enforcement officers to raise money in support of pediatric cancer research and the care of children and families who are impacted by this terrible disease,” said Insp. Kim Campbell who oversees the department’s School Liaison Officer program that Boyce is a part of.

“I just want to recognize their hard work and sacrifices they made, while remaining committed to serving the community and citizens of Delta. We’re so proud of them and their commitment to our profession and to children throughout the province.”

Tsawwassen First Nation and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority sign relationship agreement

Tsawwassen First Nation and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority have announced the signing of a historic relationship agreement.

As neighbours and partners, the agreement will formalize the partnership between Tsawwassen First Nation and the port authority, govern their long-term relationship, and provide a framework to support collaborative work together in Tsawwassen traditional territory.

A signing ceremony was held for Tsawwassen First Nation members to witness as Chief Ken Baird and Vancouver Fraser Port Authority president and CEO Robin Silvester gathered together to sign the milestone relationship agreement.

“The Port of Vancouver has been our neighbour for many years. For future generations, the port will still be there, and so it is important that we forge this relationship with the port authority now and continue to build on it in the future,” Chief Baird told members. “This is all part of truth and reconciliation in my mind.”

Delta Ice Hawks awarded Cyclone Taylor Cup

The Delta Ice Hawks are hoping to soar to a Junior B provincial championship on home ice this coming April.

The Ice Hawks, along with the City of Delta, were named hosts of the 2022 Cyclone Taylor Cup from April 7 to 10 featuring the Ice Hawks and the champions of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL), the Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL) and the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL).

All games will be at the Ladner Leisure with six round robin games, followed by bronze and gold medal games.

This will be the fifth time that Delta will compete for the Cyclone Taylor Cup, and the first time in the host’s role. The Ice Hawks claimed the championship once, in 2011.

“We are extremely pleased to see the Delta Ice Hawks selected to host the 2022 Cyclone Taylor Cup at the Ladner Leisure Centre,” said Mayor George Harvie.