KootenayBiz > Kootenay Business Blog: March/April

A regular report on newsworthy business developments in the Kootenays…

APRIL 27
Real estate market statistics compliment
Nelson realtor Yara Findlay
If you are interested in buying real estate in the Kootenays, (www.nelsonlocal.com) but you are unsure where to invest, take a look at the boundary breakdown. For individuals holding onto the dream of home ownership, there is still affordable housing in some small communities throughout the Kootenay region. As per the Kootenay Real Estate Board (www.kreb.ca) Statistics for the end of February the average prices year to date on real estate in the Kootenay Boundaries are as followed: (bear in mind these numbers can be skewed with large or small $ volume individual transactions)

Residential real estate sales only:
1. Invermere $474,350	13. Elkford $196,250
2. Fernie $334,357	14. Grand Forks $189,916
3. Golden $307,500	15. New Denver $154,250
4. Nelson $287,227	16. Fruitvale $150,000
5. Rossland $274,595	17. Radium $110,000
6. Cranbrook $241,176	18. Greenwood $ 91,500
7. Kimberley $227,852	Slocan $0 reported
8. Kaslo $222,550	Salmo $180,666
9. Creston $215,850	Sparwood $346,666
10. Midway $206,500	Silverton $140,000
11. Montrose $200,000	Trail $178,581
12. Nakusp $200,000	Warfield $152,428

APRIL 27
Report card on Kootenay high schools
Every year the Fraser Institute prepares a report card on high schools throughout British Columbia. The report card ranks high schools based on B.C. Education Ministry data about Grade 10 and 12 provincial exam results, percentage of exams failed, graduation rates, delayed-advancement rates and other criteria. The Fraser Institute gives weigh to the results, adds them up and awards the school a mark out of 10.

Here is how Kootenay high schools did in the overall ranking of B.C.’s high schools…

Name of school	Location	Rank out of 10	Overall provincial ranking
1. L V Rogers	Nelson	7.9	39th
2. Elkford	Elkford	7.6	58th
3. Sparwood	Sparwood	7.5	66th
4. Rossland	Rossland	6.8	106th
5. J Lloyd Crowe	Trail	6.7	112th
6. Stanley Humphries	Castlegar	6.6	118th
7. Prince Charles	Creston	6.5	127th
8. David Thompson	Invermere	6.2	143rd
9. Mount Sentinel	South Slocan	6.1	152nd
10. Mt. Baker	Cranbrook	6.1	152nd
11. Fernie	Fernie	5.9	164th
12. Golden	Golden	5.7	187th
13. Nakusp	Nakusp	5.6	197th
14. Revelstoke	Revelstoke	5.5	204th
15. Grand Forks	Grand Forks	5.4	209th
16. J V Humphries	Kaslo	5.2	220th
17. Boundary Central	Midway	5.1	224th
18. Selkirk	Kimberley	4.8	238th
19. Salmo	Salmo	4.2	258th

APRIL 25
Smart travel debuts in Canada

Kootenay Rockies Tourism has become the first Canadian Destination Marketing Organization to offer full online travel information services to mobile users.

KootenayRockies.mobi is now live using Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) to provide travellers hundreds of pages of accommodation options, attractions, events and even restaurant menus. Pretty much everything you need to know about travel in the Kootenay Rockies is now available on your mobile phone or other handheld device.

“This is the ultimate tool for flexible travel,” says Chris Dadson, president of Kootenay Rockies Tourism. “Mobile websites will revolutionize the way travellers experience a destination; they will research, plan and book on-the-fly with nothing more than a web-enabled cell phone.”

APRIL 20
The Trail & District Chamber of Commerce is accepting resumes for Executive Director position
We are seeking resumes for the full-time position of Executive Director. This is a leadership opportunity; the successful candidate will work to support goals set by the Board of Directors and its members. Responsibilities include membership retention and growth; personnel management of chamber functions; preparation and follow through of yearly budgets and quarterly financial reports; provide professional expertise and background to aid the Board in decision making; representing the chamber through community involvement and public relations. The position includes full responsibility for managing the Visitor Centre and the Teck Cominco Interpretive Centre.

The ideal candidate should be creative, people-oriented, have the ability to adapt to change, work well with volunteers, public and officials. Experience in sales, event planning, marketing, fundraising and office/financial management. Good verbal and written communication skills required. Knowledge of local area and tourism is an asset. Salary is subject to qualifications and experience.

Send resume to: Search Committee,
Trail & District Chamber of Commerce,
200—1199 Bay Avenue,
Trail, B.C.
V1R 4A4
Send email to tcocm@netidea.com or fax (250) 368-6427
Closing date: April 28, 2007 at 5:00 p.m.

APRIL 19
Former Rec Plex manager hired as
BC Winter Games operations manager

Lorinda Nelson, the former manager of Cranbrook Rec Plex, has been hired by the Kimberley/Cranbrook BC Winter games as the operations manager, effective on Aug 1, 2007. Here’s a short biography of Lorinda’s background.

A resident of Cranbrook nearly all her life, Lorinda and husband Jay have a long history of volunteer commitment to this community. While raising three very active children—Andrea, Lori, and Mike—Lorinda has supported her community through several volunteer organizations. For twenty-five years she has held a leadership role with Cranbrook's Youth Ambassador Program.

As the former general manager of the Cranbrook Recreation Complex, she has been strongly influenced all her life by sport and recreation, serving on different sport-related boards in various capacities. She was also a Professional Figure Skating Coach for 15 years.

A person of great organizational skill Lorinda has arranged many special events at the Rec Plex, including Celebration On Ice, Blue Rodeo, Great Big Sea, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Lord of the Dance, Champions of Skating, Bryan Adams and Nickelback. Lorinda attended many BC Winter and BC Summer Games as a coach, volunteer and parent. Her father was a director for the 1986 BC Summer Games in Cranbrook and she is pleased to continue this family tradition as operation manager for the 2008 BC Winter Games in Kimberley and Cranbrook.

APRIL 19
The return of Brian

Brian Sims, a well-known radio personality and sales representative at EK Radio for many years, has returned to Cranbrook. EK Radio was the previous owners of what is now the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group
(www.jpbroadcast.com) stations in Cranbrook.

Brian Sims is moving back to Cranbrook to take on his new role as Sales Manager and Associate Publisher of the Cranbrook Daily Townsman (www.dailytownsman.com) which is owned by Vancouver-based Glacier Ventures. (www.glacierventures.com)

Brian worked in radio for over ten years in Cranbrook and most recently he was the publisher of the Peace River Block News out of Dawson Creek, B.C.
As Associate Publisher Brian Sims will be share duties with current publisher and regional manager Steen Jorgenson and he has replaced Keith Gray as sales manager for the daily newspaper.

Watch for a major revamp of the Daily Townsman coming May 1st.

APRIL 18
Cash awards available for students attending community colleges in the basin

Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) is offering twenty $2,000 awards for mature students attending Selkirk College or the College of the Rockies. The CBT College Community Service Award rewards students who have been volunteers in their community. The deadline to apply for this award is May 31, 2007.

Ten awards of $2,000 each are available at both Selkirk College and College of the Rockies in each of the next three years.

“College of the Rockies is extremely pleased to partner with CBT to offer our students $60,000 in CBT awards over the next three years,” says Dr. Nick Rubidge, COTR President and CEO. “These significant awards recognize the importance of both post-secondary education and community service in the Basin. We thank CBT for their vision and generous investment in our students and our communities.”

“These awards represent a significant incentive for mature students to enter college and complete their post secondary education,” said Marilyn Luscombe, Selkirk College president.

Applications are available at any Columbia Basin Trust office or at www.cbt.org. Applicants may also download an application and guidelines from each college’s website. For applicants planning to attend Selkirk College, visit www.selkirk.ca, while those planning to attend College of the Rockies should visit www.cotr.bc.ca.

Columbia Basin Trust is a regional Crown corporation created in 1995 to deliver economic, social and environmental benefits to the residents of the Columbia Basin. For more information about the Columbia Basin Trust visit www.cbt.org or call 1-500-505-8998. While on the CBT website, sign up for their bi-monthly newsletter which provides Board meeting highlights, CBT events, newly funded projects and more.

APRIL 17
Kimberley’s Chef Bernard’s restaurant for sale

Longtime landmark and favorite dining establishment that primarily caters to Kimberley's flourishing tourist trade, Chef Bernard’s Restaurant, is up for sale. Owner Bernard Schroeder, who has owned and operated the European-style restaurant for over 17 years in Kimberley's downtown platzl would like to retire. And now is a good time to retire says the restaurant entrepreneur.

Chef Bernard, is a European trained chef who has worked in some of the world’s finest hotels and restaurants, first opened his Kimberley restaurant in 1990. On any summer’s day Chef Bernard’s always packed with visiting golfers and tourists. Along withg his restaurant, Chef Bernard also operates a guesthouse inn.

For more information call Chef Bernard at his restaurant (250) 427-2433.

APRIL 16
Stikine Gold’s Sullivan Deeps comes up dry
After pumping some $3 million and three years of effort into searching for the “lost” Sullivan mine desposit Vancouver-based Stikine Gold (www.stikinegold.com) has failed to find the legendary vein. In a recent press release the company stated they were abandoning the project and that drill tests had proven uneconomical.

Here is part of the press release…

“Vancouver, British Columbia: Stikine Gold Corporation (SKY: TSX-V) ("Stikine" or the "Company") announces that diamond drill hole SD3 at the Sullivan Deeps project intersected a 0.4 metre interval of laminated and semi-massive sulphides, comprised primarily of uneconomic pyrrhotite, at a depth of 2,659 metres. SD3 was terminated on Friday April 6, 2007, in the Lower Aldridge formation at a total depth of 2,696 metres (8,845 feet), in geology clearly identifiable as Sullivan "footwall". SD3 successfully reached its target depth and tested the centre of a sub-basin that also hosts the famous Sullivan Deposit and a large-scale geophysical conductor observed during down-hole UTEM4 geophysics completed by the Company in late 2004 and by others in 1996. As pyrrhotite is highly conductive, the relatively thin sulphide intervals encountered in SD3 and in previous drill holes is believed to account for the geophysical anomaly.

The Sullivan Deeps target has now been adequately tested and the Company will not conduct any future exploration at the project. Stikine will now focus its efforts on its other exploration projects, including the Huskie Uranium project in the Athabasca Basin, on which the Company is planning an airborne survey followed by prospecting and sampling this summer.”

APRIL 9
Kimberley’s Sullivan Mine Interpretive Centre to hold grand opening
Watch for the grand opening of the new Sullivan Mine Interpretive Centre in Kimberley on May 03, 2007. The new project will be dedicated at 1:30 p.m. at the Downtown Railway Station and will include a train ride to the underground Interpretive Centre Tunnel.

The major new development, that is now a key component of the SM&R Historical Interpretive Centre, is a 750-ft long underground tunnel and chambers which will provide active displays of historical mining equipment and methods.

For more information visit www.kumr.ca.

APRIL 9
Kimberley Alpine Resort announces $150,000 fund to support local community
The Kimberley Alpine Resort (www.skikimberley.com) is pleased to announce the launch of the Kimberley Alpine Resort Community Summit Fund, which aims to benefit the local community by providing cash donations to local causes.

The fund’s mandate is to enhance the community by supporting sustainable local projects that create positive opportunities and outcomes for its citizens, especially the youth. The fund will donate a total of $150,000 with $30,000 allocated to local causes each year for the next five years (2007 through 2011).

All local organizations and charities are eligible for the program. To be eligible, a written application must be completed, outlining the following: the background / history of the beneficiary organization; a description of the project receiving the grant; and the date / timeline of the project in question.

The Kimberley Alpine Resort Community Summit Fund aims to support a wide variety of causes, benefiting all members of the community with an emphasis on positive opportunities for youth.

Application details will be available at www.skikimberley.com/summitfund.

APRIL 9
Eagle Ranch Celebrates new clubhouse
Eagle Ranch is more than world-class golf. Perched on the bluffs overlooking the world-renowned wetlands of the great Columbia River, lies the brand new clubhouse. This magnificent building features a timber frame design reminiscent of a 19th century ranch house that speaks to the pioneer roots of the valley. The club house features two restaurants with fine dining as well as a 1,200 bottle temperature controlled wine room. Vaulted ceilings and an open design provides a comfortable atmosphere for relaxation, exceptional cuisine and the gathering of friends in an unparalleled location. Voted "Best Conditioned Course in B.C." by SCOREGolf Magazine and rated 4.5 stars by Golf Digest, Eagle Ranch offers breathtaking 360-degree views, championship golf and a commitment to Service Beyond™, creating a golf experience unlike any other. Designed by renowned golf course architect William G. Robinson, this magnificent 18-hole golf course is winning accolades from professionals and amateaurs of all levels. Other courses have made their reputations by challenging golfers with carries over ravines and water but no other course has so brilliantly made use of canyon territory. A trip to the sun-soaked golfing mecca of the Columbia Valley would not be complete without experiencing the magical golfing at Eagle Ranch where you can elevate your game.

APRIL 9
Like father, like son
Long-time realtor in the West Kootenay and one of the Kootenays top-producers, Norm Zaytsoff of Valhalla Path Realty in Nelson has brought his son, Lev Zaytsoff, on-board as a realtor. Lev Zaytsoff is a licensed realtor and promises to be an additional resource for real estate buyers and sellers. Valhalla Path Realty is a ten year old real estate company that is owned by Berni Eigelshoven. Their office is based in Nelson and they specialize in property in and around the Queen City and the Slocan Valley.
www.valhallapathralty.com

APRIL 9
At the pointe under construction
Wow, have you driven by the new development overlooking the shores of the Columbia Lake? The long awaited first phase of the Pointe of View Developments project on Lake Windermere has really sprung up fast and word is that the units are selling at an even faster pace. This beautiful new residential resort development will consist of three four-storey buildings with 220 suites featuring one and two bedroom plans. It is adjacent to the James Chabot Provincial Park and the public beach.

Conveniently located as you enter the town of Invermere, it will be very close to all the amenities the Columbia Valley has to offer. Whether you’ll be there for one of the many year round sporting activities or just to relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery, The Pointe On Lake Windermere has to be your future destination.

Longtime Columbia Valley businessman Doug McIntosh is the company’s representative.
www.pointeofview.com

MARCH 21
Nelson’s Pacific Insight expands to Mexico
Nelson-based Pacific Insight (www.pacificinsight.com) is expanding its operations by opening a satellite facility in Mexico. Mexico provides an attractive infrastructure base for manufacturing and excellent proximity for selling to its main US customer base. The leased facility is slated to begin preliminary operations in March 2007 and will scale up operations in a gradual manner.

The initial focus of this satellite facility will be to support the addition of new wire harness business and the assembly of some of its more labor intensive products, thereby freeing up their main Nelson facility for higher margin and expanded business opportunities.

With the new facility management expects to see considerable capacity for growth in sales. The company also expects their new Mexican facility to reduce pressure on some of the labor shortage issues currently being experienced in Western Canada.

Company officials stated in a recent Managament’s Discussion and Analysis paper, “Nelson is now and will continue to remain our primary base for research, development and manufacturing operations. Pacific Insight will continue to invest in assets and resources to expand the production capacity and efficiency of our manufacturing facilities.”

MARCH 21
New discovery centre on the way
Havaday Development’s new Discovery Sales Centre located on the strip in Cranbrook is well underway and scheduled for completion later this spring. With a dramatic facelift which includes an eye-catching post and beam front, the new sales centre will showcase the lifestyle that Havaday Development’s new Wildstone (www.discoverwildstone.com) project will offer.

Following on the heels of the Gary Player’s (www.garyplayer.com) visit last fall, the development will sport two championship golf courses and an ultimate build-out of some 3,000 homes. It promises to change the face of Cranbrook for many years to come.

MARCH 21
Tembec Focuses on Jobs
Want more information about careers and jobs in the forest industry? Then you won’t want to miss the upcoming Tembec Forest Industry Career Expo to be held at the Cranbrook Rec-Plex June 1 and 2, 2007.

The two-day event will be designed to inform and educate prospective employees, as well as the general public about the wide variety of career opportunities the forest industry in the East Kootenay has to offer, with a goal of attracting more people to the sector. Tembec (www.tembec.com) is Cranbrook’s largest private-sector employer with almost 1,000 employees.

Contacts | Subscribe | Advertise