Active living group hosts successful candidate forum in White Rock

A local association focused on healthy living hosted a successful candidates forum Sunday morning for those running for the two vacant seats on White Roock city council.

Held at Peace Arch Curling Club, the Healthy Active Living Peninsula group, self-described as a coalition of local, volunteer-based, non-profit recreation clubs and associations dedicated to fostering collaboration across 16 Avenue between the City of White Rock and the City of Surrey, the Sunday (Sept. 7) event drew 16 of the 21 candidates who have tossed their hat in the ring for council, as well as about 80 attendees.

Many of the attendees are from the local pickleball, curling and lawn bowling communities attended, as well as White Rock Mayor Megan Knight and councillors Chris Trevelyan, Dave Chesney, and Bill Lawrence. Surrey-White Rock MLA Trevor Halford also attended, a HALP email noted. 

“These organizations are about more than sports,” said a HALP spokesperson in the email. “They create friendship, community, and promote emotional and physical health. Numerous studies confirm that these benefits help keep people healthy, out of hospitals, and living independently longer.”

While the forum was initially designed to highlight candidates’ thoughts on three specific proposals — a new outdoor swimming pool in White Rock, the replacement of the aging ice plant at Peace Arch Curling Club and the construction of dedicated indoor pickleball courts — event organizers opened the floor to allow each candidate five unrestricted minutes to speak.

Candidates used the time to share personal backgrounds, campaign platforms, and key priorities; Knight also spoke at the event. 

Support for a new curling ice plant and indoor pickleball facilities was strong across the board, the email said. 

There’s at least one more chance to meet the new prospective councillors, at an all-candidates meeting hosted by Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade Sept. 15, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Oceana PARC residence, 1575 George St.

White Rock’s byelection is set for Saturday, Sept. 27. 

Learn more at whiterockcity/ca/election