Cloverdale Train Service

My father told me when he was younger that he used to catch a train from Cloverdale to Langley and watch the movies there. The train didn't return to Cloverdale so they walked home from Langley. Once the Clova was built that changed. The train station used to be behind the Co-op and feed mill areas on Highway 10 and 176th Street.

Train service is coming back to Cloverdale thanks to the Fraser Valley Heritage Railway Society. The run is between Cloverdale and Sullivan, 152nd Street and 64th Avenue. A railway station has been built in approximately the same spot, which now puts it behind the Clydesdale Inn and the west end of the Clover Square Mall.

The train schedule is Saturday, Sunday, and holiday Mondays from June 23, 2013 until October 14, 2013. First run is 10am and it runs every hour with the last train at 3pm. Cost is $10 and children under 12 are $5. The train does not stop in Sullivan, just turns around and comes back to Cloverdale. Takes about half an hour.

I spoke with some of the men operating the train this morning and got the scoop that on Saturday, June 22 at 2pm they'll be giving free rides just on the spur. In other words a scenic look at the backside of the mall.

For parking, they have spots available next to their barn, accessed from 176th Street, just south of Highway 10. There are also places to park on the road around there. It's my guess that train riders are going to park in the Clover Square Mall and take their chances at getting towed for leaving the property. There's free parking all over Cloverdale, so park on the street somewhere and walk over to the railway station.

The train is wheelchair accessible with a lift to the train.

For more information see their website http://fvhrs.org/

Playing at the Clova from June 21 to 26, 2013

This coming week things are a little different at the Clova. The following movies are playing from Friday June 21 to Wednesday June 26, 2013. There must be a private function on Thursday June 27. If I find out anything else - if it's open to the public and what's playing - I'll post it.

7pm - Quartet

8:55pm - Oblivion

Last show lets out at 11pm. Admission is $8, stay for one or both movies. If there are 2 in your group, admission is $15. Add $4 for each extra person.

Free Hot Tub dumped in old Cloverdale Mall lot

This is something you don't see everyday. Someone has dumped an old hot tub in the parking lot of the old Cloverdale Mall, near the corner of 58th Avenue and the Cloverdale Bypass.

They put a "free" sign on it.

I think the sign should read: come haul my junk away for me for free.

It wasn't there this morning so somebody dropped it off during daylight hours. On a busy highway like the Cloverdale Bypass section of 176th Street? And nobody saw?

Ironically enough a junk disposal truck has been parking in this spot over the past few weeks drumming up some free advertising. Perhaps they'll do a good deed and haul it away.

Cloverdale Legion Open House on Saturday, June 22, 2013

I've noticed signs up in some of the downtown Cloverdale's merchant's windows that the Cloverdale Legion is having an open house on Saturday, June 22, 2013 from 9am to 5pm.

Free breakfast from 9am to 11am. The last time they did a free breakfast it was pancakes only, plus coffee, tea, and an orange juice drink.

At lunch they are barbequing hot dogs and coffee, tea, and orange juice drink will be available.

They are having a display of military vehicles, several vehicles are shown on the flyers such as tanks, but I'm not sure what will be there. They are also planning to crush cars, so maybe there will be a tank there. Play it safe and park your car somewhere far away and walk to the Legion!
   
The Legion is located at 17567 57th Avenue.

New Store in Former Anca's Shop

Anca's Bridal shop in Cloverdale closed down a few months ago. It was formerly Dee's Brazilian Shoes, a couple of shops down from Hawthorne Square on 176th Street.

A second hand shop opened up there a few weeks ago but there was no signage. Yesterday I walked past and finally noticed a sign up - Timeless Treasures.

Head on over and check it out for your second hand gear. I noticed a lot of 50's and 60's memorabilia in there.

Hours for Greenaway Pool 2013

Greenaway Pool has had water in it since before the May long weekend. It's been looking nice and clean but nobody is swimming in it. I walked up there a few days ago to see if the hours are posted, but sticking with how they usually do it, no signage for operating hours. It's always hit and miss even with posted hours, most of the time Greenaway Pool doesn't stick with them. It might have to do with difficulty getting lifeguards out to tend to the pool.

According to the City of Surrey's website Greenaway Pool's hours are all over the place. In one section the city claims Greenaway Pool will be open from June 11 to September 3, 2013. I was there about one week ago and there was a wet towel sitting on the sidewalk next to the pool fence. I don't know if that means the pool was open or some kid climbed the fence and went for a swim.

The City of Surrey says the hours from June 10 (what happened to June 11?) to June 28, 2013 at Greenaway Pool will be:

Monday to Friday: 3pm to 4pm and 6pm to 7:30pm
Saturdays: 1:30pm to 3pm, 3:30pm to 5pm, and 5:30 to 7pm
Sundays: 1:30pm to 3pm and 3:30pm to 5pm

I don't know why the City of Surrey doesn't show the hours for July and August but I can't imagine they'll be much different. During the mornings there will likely be swimming lessons, schedule unknown, and they'll carry on with the public swim times late afternoon and early evening.

Swimming at the pool is free. If the pool hits maximum capacity the lifeguards limit swims to 30 minutes. They clear the pool after 30 minutes and the people in the line up get in for the next half hour swim.

Playing at the Clova from June 14 to June 20, 2013

Playing at the Clova from Friday June 14 - 20th, 2013 is:

7pm - Star Trek - Into Darkness

9:30pm - The Hangover Part III

Last show lets out around 11:10pm. Admission is $8 or $15 for 2 people. Add $4 for each extra person in your group.