Vancouver indie station Roundhouse Radio will shut down after 30-month run

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      The local Vancouver radio station that took on the corporate big boys will go silent at the end of this month.

      Roundhouse Radio 98.3 has billed itself as "diverse & curious" and brought a distinctly urban, indie, and intelligent perspective since hitting the airwaves in October 2015.

      But today, staff learned that the party will be over on April 30 because the station is shutting down.

      Roundhouse Radio has several high-profile broadcasters, including Janice Ungaro and Cory Ashworth, who host the Janice & Cory Show.

      Jody Vance holds down the fort with Middays, and Gene Valaitis is the morning man.

      One of the most innovative programs is Minelle Mahtani's Sense of Place, which provides a refreshing and incisive look at diversity issues. Roundhouse Radio has also provided a platform for Kirk LaPointe after he lost the 2014 mayoral election.

      Veteran media manager and former mayoral candidate Kirk LaPointe hosts a show on Roundhouse Radio.

      The station's website lists several local owners: former auto wholesalers Dave and Judi Daudrich, manufacturer Rick Pushor, National Hearing Services CEO Craig Cameron and his wife Candace, and long-time broadcasting executive Don Shafer and partner Yvonne Evans.

      Shafer is the CEO and programming director, as well as the host of Impact.

      Another well-known Roundhouse Radio employee is promotions and communications director Barb Snelgrove, a member of the Canadian Queer Hall of Fame.

      Barb Snelgrove has put her heart into Roundhouse Radio as the promotions and communications manager.

      Sometimes referred to as a poor cousin to CBC, Roundhouse Radio has consistently aimed higher than many corporate-owned stations.

      So its departure will be missed by its loyal Vancouver listeners.

      One of those mourning the impending loss of Roundhouse Radio is Fraser Valley News broadcaster and news director Don Lehn.

      He posted a rant on YouTube offering insights into Roundhouse's successes, but also its challenges in the current marketplace.

      "In this day and age, unfortunately corporate media wins again," Lehn concluded. "That's what really burns me."

      The news director of Fraser Valley News says it's a sad day for broadcasting.

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