NEWS ond VIEWS sidney Station new home for Chamber The recently built “Sidney Sta- tion’ at 9768-Third St., Sidney, is now the new home of the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and Business Informa- tion Centre. The “Station” theme and idea was originally conceived by owners Richard Flader and Terry Greene, chartered accountants, who are partners in the accounting business at that address. The idea was passed on to renowned mural painter Dan Saw- atsky, of Chemainus, who designed and developed the rail- way Station concept in what is known as modern-heritage style. Cape features athletes’ hands Hands of athletes from each of the 68 Commonwealth nations will be featured in Victoria’s Commonwealth Friendship Quilt being created by volunteers as part of the 1994 Commonwealth Games celebration. Each nation is being invited to provide an illustration of the hands of a male and female athlete. The illustrations will then be incorporated into the “Commonwealth Cape of Many Hands,” designed by internationally-known Canadian artist Carole Sabis- ton. Sabiston’s design features two sixteen-foot-diameter capes facing each other. In addition to the athletes’ hands and names, the capes will incorporate each nation’s national bird, flower, emblem and flag. Canadian provinces and territories, and each of the Greater Victoria municipalities, are also being invited to participate in the project. The capes will be assembled in Victoria by volunteers from the local craft communities. The borders will be created by Vancouver Island’s native crafts-people, co-ordinated by the Coast Salish Nation, the traditional Aboriginal hosts of the area. The borders will continue the theme, illustrating the bridging of generations by linking hands of elders and children from native communities. The tradition of the Commonwealth Friendship Quilt began in 1986 in Edinburgh, Scotland, when volunteers in that city produced a quilt as a gift to Auckland, New Zealand, the site of the 1990 Games. Auckland then produced a distinctive quilt for the City of Victoria. : “By joining hands across the world to create a lasting legacy that connects art and athletes we are continuing an international tradition,” said Elida Peers, the project's volunteer co-ordinator. “Tt is a unique opportunity for us to learn more about our Commonwealth frends.” The capes will be displayed in Victoria during the Games. Following the Games, one cape will presented to the next host city, while the other remains on permanent display in Victoria. Victoria Symphony heralds Games The Victoria Symphony Orchestra and Peter McCoppin will headline a special “sounds of the Commonwealth” celebration at the University of Victoria Auditorium, Wednesday, April 29. The event is being held to celebrate the partnership between UVic and the Games. Information concerning tickets for this family event can be obtained by calling 380-1994. Greater role for women There will be new opportunities for women to participate in the 1994 Commonwealth Games through initiatives endorsed by the Board of Directors of the Victoria Commonwealth Games Society. An enhanced program for developing women coaches, assis- tance in training women officials and expanded events for women, are among the program concepts reviewed by the board. “Increasing opportunities for women is a tangible benefit of the Commonwealth Games,” said society board Chairman John Walton. “By helping develop women athletes, coaches and officials, we are creating a legacy.” Walton said the programs reflect the Games’ gender equity policy. The policy is used to guide Games’ staffing, including volunteer selection and committee appointments. The Games Society will co-operate with the provincial and national bodies of ten official sports in an enhancement program for selected women coaches. The program will be funded, in part, through an allocation from the Commonwealth Games’ Sport Development Fund. Provincial sport bodies are also being encouraged to expand opportunities for women to become sports technical officials. These officials are drawn from the respective sport organizations at the national and provincial Ir-vels. BUDGET Continued from Page C1 and implemented on an ongoing basis. The combined Chambers state that the affects of this budget will no doubt result in increased unemployment, reduced services from government and the private sector, increases in prices and less disposable income. In summary, “The cumulative effect could be devastating. It 1s extremely troublesome, and may have the result of reducing the tax base in future years.” On the positive side, the Cham- bers of Commerce suggested what the government could be doing: — Reducing expenditures further. — Finding ways to be more efficient, cutting all waste. — Working with all levels of government to find ways of reduc- ing the duplication of services. — Developing a plan to make the best use of the province’s assets and talents, in the broadest sense, and let the government managers manage the plan without interference. Not only is the outside attractive and reminiscent of those old sta- tion houses of years gone by, but interior finishing has been handled with painstaking attention to old- Style architectural detail. It must be pointed out however, that this is not the site of the original Sidney railway station, nor is it a replica of that building. The Chamber now occupies part of the top floor at the rear of the building. There are offices for the general manager, secretary and ample space for the Business Info Centre, and, certainly a plus for the Chamber, the downstairs board- room will be available for meet- ings On an appointment basis. So do drop by and see us now that we are in sunny downtown Sidney, TheReview Wednesday, April 8, 1992 — April calendar of events April I April 3 April 6 April 7 April 8 April 9 April 15 April 17 April 20 April 23 April 28 Regional Chamber of Commerce Committee Meeting — Sooke Export Breakfast Series - Ramada Inn Executive Meeting - Chamber Office Business Development and Education Committee Meeting Membership, Fundraising Committee Meeting Board of Direcfors Meeting Tourism Committee Meeting Good Friday (Chamber Office Closed) Easter Monday (Chamber Office Closed) Chamber of Commerce General Dinner Meeting, 6:30 p.m. Golf Tournament Committee Meeting Call Us! The TARGET YOUR ADVERTISING! Reach over 14,000 Homes and Businesses Through The Chamber News and Views To place your ad or for more information ... evie Serving the Saanich Peninsula for 80 656-1151 FAX 696-5526