New Resident Buzz

Aquatic Centre Programs & Schedule Spring 2016

The Aquatic Centre Programs and Schedule are also always under the Pool Schedule/Maps tab at the top of the page for your convenience.

Spring 2016 Pool Schedule

Spring 2016 Programs

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Aquatic Centre Programs & Schedule Winter 2016

Community Events, Fitness Buzz, Health Buzz, Kids Buzz, New Resident Buzz, Recreation Buzz, Teen Buzz, Youth Buzz

The Aquatic Centre Programs and Schedule are also always under the Pool Schedule/Maps tab at the top of the page for your convenience.

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Resident Spotlight – Joanne Folkins

Animal Buzz, Gold River Cat Society Buzz, New Resident Buzz

I first met Joanne (where else) at GRSS. She taught both my daughters Mikayla and Kristanna English, then retired after Kristanna’s year. (I hope that wasn’t a coincidence – hehe)

Joanne (I still want to call her Ms. Folkins) is extremely devoted to the cats in our Village as well as all animals. I know (from our conversations on the Buzz and in person) that she is truly dedicated and loves what she does.

How long have you lived in Gold River? What brought you here?

I came to Gold River in the fall of 1983 to take a position at Gold River Secondary teaching Music and English. So, that makes it 32 years ago.

What do you do for (paid) work?

I’m retired now but do substitute teach occasionally.

Please tell us about any volunteer work you do.

My volunteer work is my next calling- animal rescue. I run the Gold River Cat Society but will help any animal. The Society traps feral cats for the Village/SPCA TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) program, foster cats and kittens for adoption, socialize feral cats and kittens for adoption, and help any cat/kitten in need.

Maverick- Up for adoption next week.

Duke- Maverick’s brother also up for adoption next week.

Do you have any pets?

I have many pets: a Standard Poodle, 3 indoor cats, 2 feral cats plus 1 adult foster cat and two kittens who will go up for adoption next month.

Louis with last year’s miracle kitten.

What do you like to do for fun?

For fun, I love to hike, travel, read, play Bridge, and keep abreast of animal rescue issues.

What do you wish Gold River had that it doesn’t? Is there anything missing for you?

Many Gold Riverites won’t believe this, but we have a lot of recreational opportunities here. What we need is another industry to help the village thrive again.

And just for fun – if you had 1 million dollars to donate to the community in any way you wished – what would you do with the money?

Ha! I’d open an animal sanctuary! Our orphaned bears wouldn’t have to go to the NIWRA if caught.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I love this village. I simply wish that we could attract more young people to move here.

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Aquatic Centre Programs & Schedule

Community Events, Kids Buzz, New Resident Buzz, Recreation Buzz, Teen Buzz, Youth Buzz

The Aquatic Centre Programs and Schedule are also always under the Pool Schedule/Maps tab at the top of the page for your convenience.

Fall Pool Programs

Fall Pool Schedule

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The Bears are Here

Animal Buzz, Community Buzz, New Resident Buzz, Wildlife Buzz

It’s that time of year again when the bears come looking for easy meals in the Village.

They have been spotted in just about all areas of Gold River and at all times of the day and night. Yesterday one bear was spotted in the afternoon crossing Nimpkish Drive, then heading up the hill towards Chamiss Crescent.

As most of us know by now:

Keep garbage secured
Pick any fruit left on trees and berry bushes
Take down bird feeders
Keep pet food indoors
Clean BBQ’s after use
Properly manage compost

*For those of you with chickens in your backyard, it is recommended that you install electric fencing around your chicken coop and run.

To report bear interactions where public safety is at risk, please call Conservation at 1-877-952-7277. As per the Ministry of Environment, Conservation Officer Service website:

“Conservation Officers respond to conflicts with dangerous wildlife where there is a risk to public safety. Examples of these situations include responding to attacks, bears breaking into buildings, repeated dangerous wildlife encounters at or near public locations, and situations where dangerous wildlife has become habituated (no longer afraid of humans) or food conditioned (dependent upon human provided foods) and now presents a risk to public safety.

Conservation Officers do not respond to routine sightings, normal wildlife behaviour, such as wildlife transiting through greenbelts or forested areas, nuisance conflicts or conflicts that do not pose a risk to public safety, or to situations where the complainant can take simple measures to address the problem, such as securing garbage, removing bird seed, or properly managing compost.”

If there is an immediate threat to public safety, please call the Nootka Sound RCMP at 250-283-2227.

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