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Happy Wednesday, Langley!
It's a soggy start to April out there with light rain and temperatures hovering around 8°C, so keep those umbrellas handy.
Today's roundup covers a wide range of stories, from Langley City's pitch to voters on nearly $179 million in recreation upgrades to the passing of Canadian social justice icon Stephen Lewis at age 88.
We also have the story of an Aldergrove couple celebrating 70 years of marriage, a tribute to a beloved settlement worker killed in a family tragedy 30 years ago, Canada Post's controversial plan to scrap door-to-door delivery, and a critical pedestrian collision in Abbotsford.
On the sports side, the B.C. Lions sold out their Langford return in hours, and Vancouver Giants defenceman Ryan Lin earned a WHL all-star nod ahead of the NHL Draft.
Langley City Seeks Voter Input on $179M in Recreation Upgrades
Photo 1: An expanded Timms Community Centre Photo 2: An expanded Al Anderson pool complex
Langley City is preparing to ask residents this fall whether to move forward with two major recreation projects as part of its Invest Langley City infrastructure plan. Together, the two proposals carry a combined price tag of nearly $179 million and would represent a significant investment in community recreation facilities.
The first project is a $107 million expansion of the Timms Community Centre, which would add a new 500-seat performing arts theatre, a smaller black box studio, a half-gymnasium, and more than a half-dozen new multi-purpose rooms for fitness and arts programming. The expanded facility would also include commercial retail units fronting Fraser Highway. If approved, the project would increase annual property taxes by about $618 for a detached home and $262 for a townhouse or apartment.
The second project is a $71.7 million upgrade to the Al Anderson Memorial Pool. The expansion would add a new building with an indoor leisure pool, hot tub, steam room, and sauna, while converting the existing outdoor pool from seasonal to year-round operation. That project would add about $357 per year to a detached home's property taxes and $151 for an attached home.
The city says it would remain well below its maximum debt ceiling even if both projects were fully loan-funded, and plans to spend the coming months gathering community feedback ahead of the fall election.
Aldergrove Couple Celebrates 70 Years of Marriage
Ronald and Marilyn Peterson marked 70 years of marriage this past Sunday at Bellevue Senior Park Living in Aldergrove.
The couple, who met through a church youth group and wed in Calgary in 1956, have built a family of seven children, 19 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren.
Ronald surprised Marilyn during the celebration by slipping a new diamond ring on her finger to replace one she had lost, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Their advice for newlyweds? "Enjoy the good times," Marilyn said, while Ronald added: "Stick it out in the rough times."
Read More in Langley Advance Times
Canada Post Ending Door-to-Door Delivery in Favor of Community Mailboxes
Canada Post has announced plans to convert all remaining door-to-door mail delivery service to community mailboxes, marking the end of an era for personalized postal service.
The decision comes at a controversial time, as the postal workers' union has stated that now is "not the right time" for such a significant change, particularly amid ongoing contract ratification votes. Union representatives have expressed concerns about the timing and impact of this sweeping transformation to Canada's postal delivery system.
The shift to community mailboxes will affect countless Canadian households that still receive mail directly to their doorsteps—a service that has been a hallmark of Canada Post for generations. Community mailboxes require residents to walk to a centralized location to retrieve their mail, which can be challenging for elderly residents or those with mobility issues.
The conversion represents Canada Post's ongoing efforts to modernize operations and reduce costs, though critics argue it comes at the expense of convenience and service quality for Canadian residents, including those here in Langley.
Archway Remembers Jasbir Saran 30 Years After Tragic Loss
Archway Community Services is honoring the memory of Jasbir Saran, a dedicated settlement worker who tragically lost her life 30 years ago alongside her entire family.
On April 5, 1996, Jasbir, her husband Roger, her parents, and all five of her siblings were killed by an estranged family member in their Vernon home as they prepared for a wedding celebration. The devastating incident left behind three young children, including twin daughters, one of whom was injured by a stray bullet.
For nine years, Jasbir worked at what was then called Abbotsford Community Services, serving as a settlement worker and coordinator for the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program. Colleagues remember her as warm, hardworking, and deeply committed to helping newcomers build new lives in Canada, often organizing potlucks and celebrations to create a sense of community.
Her legacy lives on through Archway's continued work supporting intimate partner violence survivors, including programs like the Specialized Victim Assistance Program and support groups for women experiencing abuse. A tree planted in her honor still stands at Archway's Montrose location, and a meeting room bears her name, a lasting tribute to a woman who dedicated her career to helping others.
Pedestrian Fighting for Life After Being Hit by Vehicle in Abbotsford
A pedestrian is in critical condition with life-threatening injuries after being hit by a vehicle in Abbotsford, prompting a major road closure.
Abbotsford Police confirmed that a primary thoroughfare in the city has been shut down as investigators work to piece together exactly what happened in the collision. The severity of the pedestrian's injuries has necessitated a thorough investigation of the scene, which requires keeping the road closed for an extended period.
Traffic disruptions are expected to continue as collision analysts examine evidence, take measurements, and interview witnesses. The closure of a major road during the investigation is standard procedure for serious incidents involving life-threatening injuries, as investigators need to preserve the scene to determine factors like speed, visibility, and right-of-way.
Police have not yet released information about whether any charges are being considered or what led to the collision. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety for both drivers and pedestrians in the Fraser Valley community.
Canada Mourns Stephen Lewis, a Giant of Social Justice and Global Solidarity
Stephen Lewis, the former Ontario NDP leader, UN ambassador, and tireless HIV/AIDS advocate, has died at age 88 after an eight-year battle with cancer.
Lewis lived a life defined by moral clarity, from pressuring Brian Mulroney to take a harder line against apartheid to leading the global fight against AIDS in Africa, where his foundation raised over $200 million for grassroots organizations.
His friend David Suzuki visited him in hospice just days before his death, and Lewis held on long enough to see his son Avi elected as federal NDP leader.
In a time when so many leaders chase power for its own sake, Lewis spent his life wielding it on behalf of the people who needed it most.
B.C. Lions Sell Out Langford Return Within Hours as Fans Snap Up Tickets
The B.C. Lions' return to Langford has proven to be a massive draw, with tickets for their May 23 matchup against the Edmonton Elks selling out within hours of being released to the public.
The overwhelming demand demonstrates the incredible enthusiasm Vancouver Island football fans have for the chance to see CFL action in their own backyard. The rapid sellout caught even optimistic organizers by surprise, as tickets were snatched up at a pace that speaks to both the Lions' popularity and the island's hunger for professional sports.
The game represents a special opportunity for Island residents who typically have to travel to Vancouver to watch the Lions play. Bringing the team to Langford makes the CFL experience more accessible to a whole new audience of fans who can now enjoy a professional football game without the ferry commute.
The sellout success virtually guarantees that the Lions will consider additional Langford games in the future, potentially establishing a regular presence on Vancouver Island that could help grow the team's fan base and the sport's popularity in the region.
Vancouver Giants' Ryan Lin Named to Western Conference Second All-Star Team
Vancouver Giants defenceman Ryan Lin has earned recognition as one of the Western Hockey League's elite players, being named to the 2026 Western Conference Second All-Star Team.
The 17-year-old Richmond, B.C., native had a breakout season, leading the Giants in scoring with an impressive 57 points in just 53 games (14 goals, 43 assists). His 14 goals this season represented nearly triple his output from the previous year, demonstrating remarkable offensive development for a defenceman.
Lin's 1.08 points-per-game ranked as the third-highest by a Giants defenceman in franchise history, trailing only Jonathon Blum and Mazden Leslie. He also ranked fourth among all WHL skaters in average ice time per game at nearly 26 minutes, showcasing his importance to the team. His absence was keenly felt—the Giants went just 3-11-0 without him in the lineup from mid-January to late February.
Eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft, Lin was ranked 13th among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting's midterm rankings, positioning him as a likely first-round selection and giving Giants fans plenty to be excited about for his future.
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