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Kelowna, BC (February 5, 2008) – Housing sales and average price weren’t the only records being shattered across Canada in 2007.  RE/MAX agents also set a new benchmark in charitable giving, raising over $4 million for the Children’s Miracle Network. 

The 2007 donation surpassed the agents’ 2006 contributions by more than 14 per cent.  Since 1992, RE/MAX sales associates nationwide have contributed close to $30 million to the cause. The 2007 break-down of contributions saw over $654,000 donated to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation in Vancouver, over $322,000 raised for the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation in Calgary, over $327,000 contributed to the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation in Edmonton, over $65,000 towards the Children’s Health and Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon and over $150,000 given to the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba in Winnipeg.

“What many don’t realize is that the corporate and private sectors play a vital role in making miracles possible,” says Marie Sheppy, Senior Coordinator, Corporate Affairs, RE/MAX of Western Canada.  “With public coffers stretched to the limit, it’s a fact that organizations like RE/MAX fund a significant portion of the required cost to treat sick and injured children in pediatric facilities across Canada.  We work so hard because we know our donations mean more than dollars and cents—it’s an opportunity for healthy, happy childhoods and hope for promising futures.  There really is nothing more rewarding than watching kids just be kids.”

RE/MAX realtors generate donations through the RE/MAX Miracle Home Program®, whereby a portion of their commission earned on the purchase or sale of each home is given to Children’s Miracle Network affiliated hospitals.  Children’s Miracle Network supports 14 children’s hospitals and foundations across Canada. Donations are often maximized through additional fundraising events including golf tournaments, gala evenings with silent auctions, casual Fridays and much more.  Funds raised in each community stay in that community to be invested in the local Children’s Miracle Network hospital.

“It’s amazing what can be accomplished when people work toward a meaningful cause,” says Christine Martysiewicz, Director of Internal and Public Relations, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada.  “The synergy, commitment and enthusiasm of the RE/MAX network are truly phenomenal.  However, what’s more amazing is that the charitable efforts undertaken by our realtors are 100 per cent voluntary.  Supporting Children’s Miracle Network is a chance to make a real difference in the lives of local children and families in their own communities.  That type of involvement is something that’s been woven into the fabric of the RE/MAX organization since its inception.  The way we see it, we don’t just serve and work in these communities, we truly are a part of them, and we care—it’s that simple.”   

In Canada, the funds raised on behalf of Children’s Miracle Network help support outreach programs and fund advancements in critical research, as well as upgrades to medical facilities and equipment.

“The outstanding generosity of RE/MAX Associates has helped more than 2.5 million Canadian children in  2007 alone – that’s 1 in 4 kids nationally,” says John Hartman, Chief Operating Officer – Canada, Children’s Miracle Network.  “RE/MAX has made Children’s Miracle Network hospitals a vital part of what they do and continue to put giving back at the top of their agenda.  Since 1992, RE/MAX has been a strong supporter of Children’s Miracle Network.  Their dedication, passion and enthusiasm for the kids and families in their communities across Canada is outstanding.  They continue to give and give more.  We are very proud to be affiliated with RE/MAX. The progress being made thanks to contributions, like that from RE/MAX, has been nothing short of astonishing.  While care and outcomes have improved significantly, it also remains a reality that the need has never been greater.” 

In Canada, the children’s hospitals/foundations receiving funding from Children’s Miracle Network are: BC Children’s Hospital Foundation in Vancouver, Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation in Calgary, Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation in Edmonton, Children’s Health and Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, The Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba in Winnipeg, SickKids Foundation in Toronto, Children’s Health Foundation in London, McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Foundation in Ottawa, Operation Enfant Soleil (St. Justine’s Children’s Hospital, Montreal Children’s Hospital, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec (CHUQ) , IWK Health Centre in Halifax, and Janeway Children’s Hospital Foundation in St. John’s.  For more information, visit: www.childrensmiraclenetwork.ca.

RE/MAX is Canada’s leading real estate organization with over 17,600 sales associates in more than 650 independently-owned and operated offices.  The RE/MAX franchise network is a global real estate system

operating in over 65 countries.  More than 7,000 independently-owned offices engage nearly 115,000 member sales associates who lead the industry in professional designations, experience and production while providing real estate services in residential, commercial, referral and asset management.  For more information, visit: www.remax.ca.

Imperial’s plans to close put on hold as it searches for an owner to take over operation

Fiona Anderson
Sun

The marine gas station in False Creek — the only fuel source for thousands of boats that dock near Granville Island — has had its life extended until the end of March to enable Imperial Oil to find a potential alternative operator.

False Creek Marine Esso was originally slated to close on Feb. 13 as part of Imperial’s decision to close all seven of its floating gas stations in British Columbia.

Imperial’s spokesman Pius Rolheiser said the extension was “to allow additional time for any interested parties who might like to approach us to explore the possibility of providing a fuel offering at that location.”

Imperial has already closed four of its floating stations, with at least one — Fisherman’s Cove in West Vancouver — expected to open under new ownership.

But while Allan Keefe, who has been operating the False Creek site for 22 years, is eager to continue operating the station, his offer has not yet been accepted. And what is still needed to seal the deal is unclear.

Keefe said Imperial is looking for an indemnity of $10 million for the operation to continue, even though whoever operates the gas station would do so as an independent, and not as an Esso-brand station. Keefe can’t provide that indemnity but he believes the city should step in and ensure the station — which has been operated in the same location since 1938 — remains open. The city could do that by leasing the waterlot from the province and becoming the landlord, Keefe said.

“My pockets aren’t deep enough to give [Imperial] comfort that if there was an incident 20 years from now as a result of operations there that they wouldn’t come back at Imperial,” Keefe said.

Keefe understands why Imperial no longer wants to operate the gas station, with the station selling about two million litres of fuel a year including fueling the harbour ferries and Aquabuses. That’s down from as much as 20 million litres in the days when False Creek was a commercial hub with three floating gas stations, he said.

But if the False Creek station closes, the nearest gas available would be in Coal Harbour, under the Lion’s Gate Bridge, and too far away for many boaters. As a result Keefe believes that boaters would fill their own tanks using jerry cans.

“And every single boat will then be spilling fuel over the sides,” Keefe said.

Rolheiser would not say what was needed to conclude a deal with Keefe and whether there had been any discussions with the City of Vancouver or the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, which manages park lands for the city, including the land Imperial uses at False Creek.

“At this point we have had discussions with a number of parties and we have not yet been successful in finding an alternative service provider,” Rolheiser said. “And that’s all I’m going to say.”

With respect to what terms would be needed to complete a deal, Rolheiser said “those are confidential commercial discussions.”

But Parks Board chairwoman Korina Houghton confirmed that Imperial had met with park board officials in January. However the meeting was informational, she said. “I know that we’ll certainly be negatively impacted [by the closure] but whether or not we would take something like that over is difficult to say,” Houghton said. “There would have to be a very strong business case and it’s not a service we are currently in right now.”

© The Vancouver Sun 2008

Studios giving way to condos

John Bermingham
Province

It’s not a pretty picture for Vancouver artist Jane Wolsak, who has been painting for 17 years in the same studio on Prior Street and now faces possible eviction.

Next Tuesday, city council will decide whether to allow a developer to turn her studio — and 29 others in a five-storey building next to the Cobalt Hotel — into apartments.

Amacon, the owner, plans to refurbish the building and add a nine-storey tower behind it.

Wolsak says artists’ spaces in Vancouver are getting squeezed by the condo craze. Vancouver artists are packing up and moving to cheaper spaces in the suburbs, she says.

“The property values are going up to the extent that people are cashing in,” said Wolsak. “We’re going to be losing them all, one after another.”

Richard Wittstock of Amacon says the company will help the artists find new studios over the next year.

But, with new projects going up in False Creek and Chinatown, it makes sense to redevelop, he said.

“Artists are a really important part of our community,” said Wittstock. “We can’t fight the reality. The city is changing. You can’t fight a trend like that.”

Vision Vancouver Coun. Heather Deal said there’s little or no protection for artists who work in the city.

“As downtown marches east, the property values are driving artists out,” said Deal. “We’re in a real danger of losing our creative zones in the city, as artists are forced out of the downtown core.”

She wants to allow visual artists and writers to work on industrial land. Developers could also be rewarded for protecting art spaces.

Valerie Arntzen, who runs the annual Eastside Culture Crawl, said other art spaces in Vancouver are threatened.

Rents have doubled for some artists at the Parker Street Studios, which houses 90 artists.

“It’s not like we cannot afford it,” said Arntzen. “We just need the space.

“We need to protect what is here right now. And that is what is scary. We’re moving too fast.”

NPA Coun. Elizabeth Ball said the city is completing a study into how many art spaces are left in Vancouver and how many have been lost.

Ball, an artist, would like art studios in every new apartment building.

“It makes all the difference between wanting to live in a city and not wanting to,” she said.

© The Vancouver Province 2008