Selkirk College musician Mandy Ebel winner of national award

WINNER: Mandy Ebel of Selkirk College in Castlegar was one of the winners.

MusiCan, the charitable arm of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS), together with CTVglobemedia, announced the winners of the inaugural MusiCan Fred Sherratt Award at the Hard Rock Café in Toronto last week.

Named in honour of broadcasting pioneer Fred Sherratt, the award recognizes the outstanding achievement, superb talent and leadership of 11 graduating students selected from music programs across the country. Mr. Sherratt—whose leadership roles with CHUM Limited included Executive Vice-President, COO and Vice-Chairman—presented the award to each recipient, each of whom also received a $3,500 prize and a unique opportunity to spend an educational day at MuchMusic, and at CHUM Radio.

Mandy Ebel of Selkirk College in Castlegar was one of the winners. Known for her performing and songwriting abilities, Mandy’s unique style has her writing music with infusions of rock, techno, and East Indian influences. The 22-year-old Selkirk College graduate possesses recognizable leadership and marketing skills.

New name and owner for Revelstoke hotel

NEW NAME: The Revelstoke Comfort Inn will now be called the Revelstoke Inn & Suites.
—photo courtesy www.revelstokecomfortinn.com

The new owner of Revelstoke Comfort Inn, which will now be called the Revelstoke Days Inn & Suites, is Joe Morelli. Morelli also owns the Penticton Days Inn & Conference Centre in Penticton.

With a $3 million complete renovation in July 2006, each suite at the hotel offers the best in contemporary comfort.The hotel offers seven different styles of rooms and suites.

The name change will be effective June 30th.

Kootenay MLA Bill Bennett appointed to B.C. Cabinet

A WARM WELCOME: Island Lake Lodge recognizes the announcement of East Kootenay MLA Bill Bennett appointed as Tourism Minister.

B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell has realigned the provincial cabinet to provide more integrated services across government. The changes include five new ministers and new portfolios for seven of the current ministers.

“Our government will continue to work as a team, concentrating on the issues that all British Columbians have told us are important to them,” said Premier Campbell. “New ministry portfolios will enhance programs focused on training and skills development and provide new and ongoing opportunities and supports for children, seniors, women, new British Columbians and those most vulnerable.”

New ministers appointed include: Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts – Hon. Bill Bennett; Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations – Hon. Joan McIntyre; Minister of Community Development – Hon. Blair Lekstrom; Minister of Healthy Living and Sport – Hon. Mary Polak and Minister of Labour and Citizens’ Services – Hon. Iain Black

Ministers with new portfolios include: Minister of Agriculture and Lands – Hon. Stan Hagen; Minister of State for Mining – Hon. Gordon Hogg; Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for the Olympics – Hon. Colin Hansen; Minister of Forests and Range – Hon. Pat Bell; Minister of Housing and Social Development – Hon. Rich Coleman; Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Minister Responsible for Deregulation – Hon. Kevin Krueger and Minister of Technology, Trade and Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the Asia-Pacific Initiative – Hon. Ida Chong.

Island Lake Lodge is one Kootenay-based company who is very enthusiastic about Bill Bennett appointment to cabinet. They issued a press release which stated, “Island Lake Lodge welcomes the announcement of Bill Bennett as B.C.’s new Minister of Tourism. Many people think of Bill Bennett as coming from a mining background but he grew up working in the tourism industry with over 20 years of experience.” said the GM of Island Lake Lodge Steve Kuijt.

Kuijt went on to say, “The importance of tourism in a region with a long history of resource extraction is paramount. In order to thrive and continue to be sustainable our communities need to have a good balance of both to be strong in the long run.”

A longtime leader in East Kootenay eco-tourism, Island Lake Lodge is committed to working with local and provincial governments to preserve the environment and efforts to minimize energy use in daily operations.

Bill Bennett had previously served as Minister of State for Mining before resigning in early 2007. This is the highest ranking position for a Kootenay MLA in many years. With the upcoming 2010 Bennett's new appointment to tourism should bode well for the Kootenays.

Whiskey Jack Golf Resort construction progressing

A PLACE TO LIVE AND PLAY: When finished, the Whiskey Jack Resort will feature more than 640 picturesque acres and a world-class 18-hole golf course designed by Fred Couples.
—photo by Keith Powell

Construction at Sparwood’s Whiskey Jack Resort is continuing to move ahead with machinery and heavy equipment busy carving fairways and greens out of the mountainside property.

Former Sparwood Mayor Cal McDougall had been hired by the developers to work on the project but has since left the Whiskey Jack development to work for Elk Valley Coal.

The golf resort development features over 640 picturesque acres integrated with more than a mile of majestic creekside. The world-class 18-hole Fred Couples signature golf course distinguishes the property, complete with a driving range and putting facilities.

A prominent clubhouse feature a four-star restaurant, pub and banquet. The resort centre will feature condominium and hotel style suites, including a day spa, an exercise facility and shopping boutiques. The development boasts more than 700 dwellings, consisting of single-family lots, homes, cabins and condominiums.

For more info visit www.whiskeyjackresort.com.

BC Timber Sales sets safety certification standard

SAFETY FIRST: Developed by the BC Forest Safety Council in conjunction with industry and WorkSafeBC, SAFE Companies is an initiative to develop, certify and annually audit the effectiveness of safety programs in forestry operations in British Columbia.

BC Timber Sales is improving forest worker safety by requiring all its contractors and those companies that conduct on-the-ground works under a timber sale licence advertised after Dec. 31, 2008 to be SAFE Company certified.

“We are committed to improving the safety of forest workers,” said Rich Coleman, Minister of Forests and Range. “Making safety certification a requirement will help ensure that forest operators have effective health and safety programs for their employees.”

Since April 1, 2007, BC Timber Sales has required its contractors in road building and reforestation, and those forest companies conducting on-the-ground work on Timber Sale Licences to be
registered in the Safety Accord Forestry Enterprise (SAFE Companies) program of the B.C. Forest Safety Council. Effective Jan. 1, 2009, the requirement will move from registration to certification. A company obtains SAFE certification when an audit demonstrates that the company has effectively implemented a health and safety management system that meets the industry set safety standard.

Additional funding strengthens Kootenay transit system

CITY BUS: Cranbrook has received $29,000 from the Provincial Transit Plan for service improvements.

The transit system in the Kootenays and Columbia Valley has received $67,500 in funding from the Provincial Transit Plan for service improvements today, announced Bill Bennett, MLA for East Kootenay.

"Public transit is vital to prospering communities," said Bennett. "Our government recognizes the Kootenays' growth in popularity and population and has provided this additional transit funding to strengthen our transit system and allow for better service for our residents and visitors."

The new funding will be used to supplement the costs of providing the existing transit services in the regions.

The communities receiving additional funding from the province include:
* Cranbrook - $29,000
* Elk Valley - $13,000
* Kootenay Boundary - $9,700
* Kaslo - $2,800
* Columbia Valley - $13,000

Sparwood hotel expands service

EXPANSION UNDERWAY: The Causeway Bay Hotel in Sparwood is adding two new banquet rooms and expanding their kitchen facilities.
—photo courtesy Causeway Bay Hotel

The management of the Causeway Bay Hotel in Sparwood has announced an expansion in their services. In addition to their current banquet facilities, the Causeway Bay Hotel will be providing two new banquet rooms and expanding their kitchen facilities.

When the expansion is completed in September 2008, the hotel will be able to accommodate up to 350 people. The Causeway Bay Hotel is the refurbished Black Nugget Inn. The new owner have invested a great deal time and money into enhancing the facility.

The Causeway Bay Hotel caters to corporate visitors, tourists and the mining sector. The hotel features a lounge and full service restaurant as well. The owners also operated hotels in Whitecourt, Alberta; Drayton Valley, Alberta and Wei Hai, China.

ACE-IT cooking students impress judges at Culinary Salon Competition

WINNERS: (L to R) Rochelle Wright, Kristina Grant, Selkirk College instructor Randy Davis, Caittie Laurie and Cora Grosch.

ACE-IT cooking students recently put their skills on the line at the Culinary Salon Cooking Competition at B.C. Place and ended winning bronze medals.

As the only high school entrants in the competition, Rochelle Wright, Kristina Grant, Selkirk College instructor Randy Davis, Caittie Laurie and Cora Grosch surprised not only themselves, but also the judges. Grosch has something else to celebrate: she’s been hired to cook at Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House in Vancouver this summer, but plans to return to Selkirk College in September to complete her Level 3 certification.

ACE-IT stands for Accelerated Credit Enrolment in Industry Training, a program that provides training and college-level credit to high school students who wish to pursue careers in trades.

B.C. Minister Colin Hansen addresses Kootenay economic group

HOT TOPICS: B.C. Minister for Economic Development Colin Hansen discussed top issues affecting the Kootenay economy at the First Annual General Meeting of the Kootenay Rockies Regional Economic Alliances on June 16.
—photo by Keith Powell

Colin Hansen, B.C.’s Minister for Economic Development, was the guest speaker at the first Annual General Meeting of the Kootenay Rockies Regional Economic Alliance (KRREA), held on Monday, June 16th at the St Eugene Mission Resort in Cranbrook. Over 50 business and local government representatives were in attendance.

The minister is confident that economic prosperity will continue in British Columbia far beyond the upcoming 2010 Olympics.

“The Olympics are not a land pad but rather a launching pad for further economic growth and expansion in British Columbia,” stated Hansen.

He identified several key areas in the economy, including the labor shortage, moving forward the diversification of the British Columbia economy and encouraging collaboration within industry and business to access new markets and expand current markets.

He said the Asia-Pacific gateway is a tremendous opportunity for B.C. businesses. With that in mind, the B.C. government is organizing more than 30 business delegations to visit China in the near future. Minister Hansen encouraged KRREA to think about hosting a Think Asia seminar for businesses in the Kootenay region.

New CEO, new vision

New CEO, Richard Dalon, of the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area is sharing his new vision for the wetland centre near Creston.

“We are proposing a new vision for the management area that will allow us to become a centre of excellence for the study of environmental issues such as climate change, carbon sequestration, ungulates, plant ecology and species at risk,” said Richard Dalon in the Wetlander newsletter. “This will be a thriving, self-sustaining, environmentally friendly, world-class Centre of Excellence, supporting scholarships and visitors from around the world, the larger community and stewardship of these outstanding natural resources of the Creston Valley.”

Dalon further explained that this would represent the expansion of our current responsibility and involve creating public and private partnerships with the colleges, universities and the private sector. We would need to have a small research laboratory, accommodations for professors and students and the public at large. There would be a requirement for a small environmentally friendly conference facility as part of the accommodations to ensure that small conferences could be held throughout the year by various government and non-government organizations as well as visiting scholars.

It is a vision that would provide an economic benefit—not only to Creston—but to the entire East and Central Kootenay Region. It could increase tourism as well as eco-friendly industries such as bird watching and help the service industry of Creston and surrounding towns.

For more info: www.crestonwildlife.ca.

Island Lake Lodge launches expanded “Rail Trail”

PRISTINE SETTING: The Island Lake Lodge is located in the Rocky Mountains near Fernie, B.C.
—photo courtesy www.islandlakeresorts.com

At the turn of the century, railroads stitched the region together by transporting passengers, coal and timber. Evidence of this can be found in the Elk Valley near Island Lake Lodge where a new trail—The Rail Trail—follows one ancient railway. Utilizing an 80-year-old abandoned logging railway, hiking the Rail Trail you will discover old rail tracks, spikes and former mill sites. The trail offers incredible views of the rocky summits like the 3 Bears, the landmark precipices of the Lizard Range.

Steve Kuijt, guide and general manager of Island Lake Lodge explained, “This trail completes the link from Mount Fernie Provincial Park, through the valley into the Old Growth Forest to our remote mountain lodge. Our goal at Island Lake is to preserve this unique, natural and historical place for people to walk with their kids, for special times well beyond ours” emphasizing why this trail is a great addition to the continually growing trail network at Island Lake.

The annual Summer Solstice Celebration will be held on Saturday June 21st and will be highlighted by the launch of its newest trail, the historic Rail Trail. This trail is a unique addition to the already extensive trail network found at Island Lake Lodge, connecting the Elk River valley to the alpine through the Old Growth Trail offering visitors an attractive alternative to accessing the lodge and its surrounding terrain.

You are invited to join prominent members of the community and press as they explore the Rail Trail and Old Growth Forest through these distinctive trails up to the lodge. Lunch specials in the Bear Bistro, along with other specials to launch our summer season will be offered throughout the day. www.islandlakeresorts.com

Event: Rail Trail Launch
Place: Island Lake Lodge, Fernie B.C.
Time: June 21st at 10am MST

YES 2 IT gives middle school students hands-on exposure to Trades careers

LEARNING A TRADE: COTR Carpentry Student Emily Loucks.

On June 10, 45 grade nine students from Selkirk school in Kimberley and Parkland and Laurie schools in Cranbrook, will come to College of the Rockies Cranbrook campus to take part in YES 2 IT and gain insight and hands-on experience in trades career options.

YES 2 IT (Youth Exploring Skills to Industry Training) is a new awareness program for younger students in grades six to nine and their parents. It provides students with an opportunity to experience some of the hands-on skills used in a variety of trade occupations and make connections with tradespersons in their communities.

June 10's YES 2 IT event will give the students an opportunity to work on welding, carpentry and electrical projects with College faculty and student apprentices. They also will visit the heavy duty mechanic shop in the Colleges new Pinnacle Hall Trades building and tour Tembec's Finger Joint Plant in Cranbrook. The day will end with a fun skills competition and a barbecue at the College.

For more information contact Tracey Whiting at 250-489-8235; email: whiting@cotr.bc.ca

Two Trail business people to guest on Internet radio

MAKING AN APPEARANCE: Sue Bock of Bock and Associates in Trail will appear on World Talk Radio in an interview with Carollyne Conlinn of Limited Leadership on June 17.

Sue Bock of Bock and Associates—a business consultancy based in Trail, will appearing with Brent Tremblay, CEO of Kootenay Savings Credit Union on World Talk Radio. This is a worldwide Internet radio program that reaches over half a million listeners in a discussion about business leadership.

Brent and Sue will be featured together in a live interview conducted by Carollyne Conlinn of Limitless Leadership highlighting how they have assisted others to develop their leadership. This discussion will follow a leadership model called 'Legacy Leadership' that Bock and Associates has been successfully bringing to organizations this past 18 months.

You are invited to tune in and listen to the conversation, June 17th from 11 a.m. to 12 Noon, PDT (and then again 12 hours later)

Brent Trembley is the CEO of Kootenay Savings Credit Union, a leadership that spans the East and West Kootenays. This 250-employee operation boasts the success of over $600 million in assets and a reputation for being a great employer.

Sue Bock, in addition to specializing in "Executive Coaching & Leadership Development", is Vice Chair of the BC Chamber of Commerce."

How to Listen in... Go to: www.limitlessleadership.com
Click on World Talk Radio (top centre) (This page is designed to show you all the features and links to more Legacy Leadership information)
Click on World Talk Radio (right hand side)
On menu bar choose Listen: Studio A - the radio will come on.

Source: Trail Chamber of Commerce newsletter

Health spa company expands to Castlegar

NEW LOCATION: Rossland & Castlegar Medical Aesthetics Day Spa is located on Castlegar's busy Columbia Avenue.—photo by Keith Powell

Rossland Medical Aesthetics, owned and operated by Drs. Stephanie Cameron and Jane Grey, have expanded their aesthetics and spa company by opening a brand new location in Castlegar.

The company is now known as Rossland & Castlegar Medical Aesthetics Day Spa. The new Castlegar location is located in a newly renovated building on Castlegar’s busy Columbia Avenue.

The spa company has over 16 employees, including two physicians, one medical aesthetic technician, one esthetician, four receptionists, four registered massage therapists and two registered acupuncturists.

Their stated goal is to provide care for the whole body from the inside out by offering advice with regard to lifestyle, nutrition, supplementation, general skin care, treatment of skin disorders and rejuvenation of skin, body, and mind.

For more info visit their website at www.rmaads.ca

High school students cooking up college credits before graduation day

Getting schooled: Selkirk College professional cook training instructor Simon Parr reviews knife skills with Vanessa Thomas, a student in the ACE-IT cooking program from Stanley Humphries High School in Castlegar. Thomas, along with 12 other high school students from Rossland and Castlegar, will receive Level 1 cook training certification in addition to a high school diploma. —photo by Rob Giannetto

Students at Rossland Secondary School just finished earning college credits in the culinary trade while working towards their high school diploma.

Rossland's duo-credit cooking program is one of many ACE-IT (Accelerated Credit Enrolment in Industry Training) trades programs made available by Selkirk College to West Kootenay high school students. ACE-IT enables students interested in pursuing a career in a trade to earn post-secondary credits in that trade before they complete high school, which has the added bonus of saving them tuition fees as well.

"ACE-IT began because the Industry Training Authority identified a shortage of trade's people," explained Frank Marisco, district coordinator of ACE-IT and School District No. 8 trades coordinator. "One of the ways to address the shortfall was to give high school students a head start (in the trades) by offering Level 1 trades training in Grade 12."

The timing couldn’t be better. Career opportunities for the students involved in the ACE-IT cooking program have been virtually unlimited. From sophisticated working arrangements under Red Seal chefs to job opportunities in camps and at world-class resorts, these well-trained students are finding the doors to the hospitality and food industries wide open.

Getting “The Goods” in Ymir

The small West Kootenay community of Ymir, located between Salmo and Nelson, is now the home of a business simply called The Goods. The small community-oriented store serves as eatery, community centre and retail outlet for the community.

The new store is owned and operated by Kathy, Liz and Janice Perello open in April. The Goods is ideally located to serve people using the popular hiking or biking trails which pass through Ymir and offers a safe haven for school children who use the nearby bus stop.

“Every small town needs a place like this, otherwise you feel disconnected,” Janice Perello told the Express Newspaper in a recent interview.

Source: The Nelson Express

New Golden Life development going up in Nelson

A place to call home: Copper Bay Village will be a four story development in Nelson similar to Golden Life’s Garden View in Kimberley.

Golden Life Management based in Cranbrook is set to build its eighth senior’s housing village in the Kootenays.

The new project will be a 90-unit, four story development in Nelson called Copper Bay Village.

Other Golden Life seniors developments include Joseph Creek in Cranbrook, Garden View in Kimberley, Castle Wood in Castlegar, Columbia Garden in Invermere, Crest View in Creston, Rocky Mountain in Fernie and Rose Wood in Trail.

The new Nelson development will be in the John’s Walk area near the shore of Kootenay Lake. Projected completion date is set for late spring or early summer 2009.

KAST announces 2008 Spirit of Innovation Awards winners

Shaun and Claude at trade show.

KAST (Kootenay Association for Science and Technology) recently held their Spirit of Innovation Awards gala at the Prestige Inn in Nelson. Each of the 35 nominations received in the four categories were, without exception, extremely well qualified.

It was a challenging process for the judging panel to select the four finalists in each category, and then narrow the field down to one winner per category. Here are the winners in each category:

• Most Promising Emerging Company Award: AC Global Systems – Trail, BC
• Innovative Company Award: D-Pace (Dehnel Particle Accelerator Components and Engineering, Inc) Nelson, BC
• Innovative Organization Award: The Centre for Innovative and Entrepreneurial Leadership (CIEL) –Nelson, BC
• Innovative Individual Award: Selena Davis (Selena Davis & Associates, Health Informatics Consulting) Nelson, BC

JUNE 4

Vista Del Lago set to transform Invermere’s waterfront

ARTIST RENDERING: One of the most unique features of Vista Del Lago is the bridge over the CP Rail tracks, which gives the resort waterfront access to Windermere Lake.

Development company, Stoneset Equities of Calgary, Alberta, is in the process to raising financing for its new Vista Del Lago development on Lake Windermere at the foot of Invermere’s downtown core.

The project is slated to be completed in 10 phases and will feature a four star, 144-room hotel and convention center, 570 condominiums and some 45,000 square feet of commercial space.

In promotional material Stoneset Equities CEO Tony Argento describes the project as “ study of lifestyle, architecture, and design blended to emulate the mountain resort village and accommodate the four-season recreational activities of the region.”

One of the most unique features of the development is the bridge over the CP Rail tracks which gives the resort waterfront access to Windermere Lake.

The development is also touting the recent expansion of the Cranbrook airport stating, “the current need for hotel and convention amenities in the Columbia Valley will only be increased due to the recent designation of the Cranbrook airport as an international gateway.”

www.stonesetequities.com or www.vistadellago.ca.

JUNE 3

Nelson’s OK Tire settles into new home

WELCOME: Joe Fritz, owner of OK Tire in Nelson, poses in front of his company’s new location on Front Street.

Located on Nelson’s busy Front Street, OK Tire in Nelson, is settling into it's new premises quite nicely said owner Joe Fritz.

The new highly visible location is a major improvement for the tire retailer compared to its previous location when it was tucked away on Lakeside Drive. The smartly renovated building features new service bays and an upstairs tire storage area, as well as a spacious and welcoming customer lobby and showroom.

OK Tire made the move to its new premises late last fall and has been benefiting from its brand new high traffic location this spring.

In addition to tires OK Tire offers a full lineup of automotive repair services designed to give their customers worry-free motoring all year around. See owner/operator Joe Fritz and his staff at 801 Front Street in Nelson.

JUNE 2

College announces new Plumbing program

SEIZING THE OPPORTUNITY: Taylor Zirk is anxious for the program to start. He had reluctantly planned on going to school in Vancouver in the fall and is thrilled to find out he can now do it in Cranbrook. Zirk is a first-year plumbing apprentice and started plumbing in Grade 11 for a work experience program.

Starting in September, College of the Rockies will be adding a Foundation Plumbing program to its Trades offerings. The 21-week program helps prepare graduates for entry-level employment in the plumber/pipefitting industry and covers the theory components of the first year of an apprenticeship.

Dean of Instruction Ron McRae noted, “There has been a great demand for a plumbing program in the East Kootenay. Currently students must travel to Kelowna or Kamloops to receive this training. It also reaffirms College of the Rockies’ position to provide relevant programs to meet the needs of employers and employees in our region. It is hoped we will be able to offer all four years of the full apprenticeship here in Cranbrook in the near future.”

For more information phone: 250-489-3243; toll-free: 1-877-489-2687 ext 3243; email: ask@cotr.bc.ca; web: www.cotr.bc.ca/trades

MAY 30

Nelson’s Kutenai Landing one step closer to reality

COMING SOON: The colourful billboard for Kutenai Landing advertises a courtyard garden, public pier and private marina.
—photo by Keith Powell

Nelson’s waterfront project Kutenai Landing is set to move ahead and the community is abuzz with posting of a new sign promoting the development. The colourful billboard is posted on Lakeside Drive and it is advertising waterfront home featuring a courtyard garden, public pier and private marina.

The development is being built by a Kamloops company called New Future Developments which has been developing and building new communities throughout Western Canada. Based in Kamloops, the company has built more than 500 homes, including a mix of retirement care facilities, townhomes and apartments.

For more information on this residential property opportunity visit their website at www.kutenailanding.com.

MAY 29

New hardware store opens in Nelson

NEW NAME AND LOCATION: Dave and Diane Cherry have moved their hardware business to Lakeside Drive in Nelson and; it is now called True Value—Wood Vallance Hardware.
—photo by Keith Powell

Well-known Nelson residents and business people Dave and Diane Cherry have relocated their hardware business in the Queen City.

Now called True Value—Wood Vallance Hardware the spacious new retail store is located on Lakeside Drive across from the Prestige Inn.

It features a full lineup of hardware and merchandise—everything from paint to hard goods—with a continuing emphasis on irrigation, water well and pump supplies.
With over 4,200 square feet of retail space and another 1,000 plus of warehouse space, the new hardware store is ready to serve the needs of Nelsonites for many years to come.

Now that the store is under the True Value banner, Dave Cherry said they can offer great pricing and better selection through their membership in the True Value buying group.

The True Value—Wood Vallance Hardware has been open for just over a month. The store was previously known as IH&S.

MAY 28

The Spring brothers in the driver seat at Kootenay Import Auto

AUTOMOTIVE BROTHERS: David and Corey Spring are the new managers of Cranbrook's Kootenay Import Auto Group.
—photo by Keith Powell

It's a brand new day at Cranbrook's busy Kootenay Import Auto Group. The five auto dealerships are now under the direction of David and Corey Spring. David is the new general manager and his brother Corey is the general sales manager of the operation.

The Kootenay Import Auto Group consists of Hillcrest Hyundai, Subaru of Cranbrook, Sun Valley Nissan, Kootenay Honda and Arrow Motors Volkwagen plus the recently added Kootenay Honda Powerhouse.

David and Corey Spring are well known in the automotive business having worked at a neighbouring automotive dealership for many years. They are following in nearly a half century of Spring family tradition in the automobile business.

"We now have the largest selection of vehicle models in the Kootenays," said David Spring, general manager. "Our newly installed management team will be offering the consumer the most satisfying sales and service experience possible.

www.importautogroup.com

MAY 27

Waneta Bridge safety upgrade nearing completion

BRIDGING PROJECT: The Waneta Bridge will be closed to traffic for up to 12 weeks due to a major rehabilitation of the bridge.
—photo by Keith Powell

A $1.6-million contract was awarded to Mijoman Holdings Ltd. (Johnson Construction) of Galloway, B.C. to perform a major rehabilitation of the Waneta Bridge on Highway 22A, southeast of Trail near the Canada/U.S. border. Work includes replacing the deteriorated bridge deck and railing system, replacing steel supports and upgrading and coating the floor beams. The work will restore the structural capacity of the bridge and assure the long-term viability of the structure to allow the movement of people and goods across the Canada/U.S. border.

The bridge will be closed to traffic for up to 12 weeks to allow for the major structural work to take place—estimated re-opening is the latter part of June 2008. Motorists who normally use the Waneta Bridge to cross into the United States are advised to use the Highway 22 crossing at Paterson during the closure.

Originally built in 1893 as a railway bridge, the Waneta Bridge is the oldest operational highway bridge in British Columbia. On average, less than 130 vehicles cross the bridge each day.

MAY 26

Morning Star Residences under construction

UP AND COMING: The Morning Star Residences at Rossland’s Red Mountain Resort will feature 18 luxury condos in one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans.
—photo by Keith Powell

The Morning Star Residences has been a well-kept secret in the mountain resort real estate communities. The new development at Rossland’s Red Mountain are being built by Revelstoke’s Vic Van Isle Construction.

Morning Star Residences will feature 18 luxury condos in one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans, private mountain view balconies complete with personal hot tub and gas barbecue built right in.

Located at the base of the newly redeveloped Red Mountain Resort, the Morning Star Residences are within easy reach of the ski slopes and nearby golfing at Redstone Golf Course. Of course, the development is only a very short distance from Rossland itself. Completion is slated for later in 2008.

For more info visit www.liveatred.com.

MAY 23

CBT releases water quality report

The Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) teamed up with the BC Ministry of Environment, the Columbia Kootenay Fisheries Renewal Partnership, Interior Health, University of British Columbia, and Environment Canada to produce a Water Quality Report for the Columbia Basin.

"Water is the lifeblood of the Columbia Basin and residents value it in many ways: from safe drinking water, to irrigating crops and raising livestock, to opportunities for recreation," said Neil Muth, CBT's chief executive officer. "That's why CBT is pleased to release this report which aims to help residents learn more about the factors that affect water quality, where contaminants come from, and what each of us can do to help protect water quality in the Basin."

The 20-page report provides a brief overview of factors that affect water quality. These include physical factors like temperature and chemical and biological factors (both synthetic and natural) such as sediment and pesticides. It also provides information on potential sources of contaminants such as industrial effluent and urban land development.

Download a copy of the report from www.cbt.org.

MAY 22

New Toyota rising in Castlegar

THINKING GREEN: The new home of Castlegar Toyota will feature a number of green initiatives.
—photo by Keith Powell

The new home of Castlegar Toyota is starting to take shape on Castlegar's busy Columbia Avenue. The plan is to move the current dealership to the new facility which is more visible and triple the size.

Kelowna contractor BPR Construction is the general contractor on the project and Fairbanks Architects of Nelson did the design work.

According to owner Craig Kalawsky the new dealership will feature a number of "green" iniatitives, including auto-dimming of the showroom lighting and oil recycling to heat the shop and offices—all part of Toyota's drive to be a eco-friendly company.

Castlegar Toyota expects to have close to 25 employees when the facility opens later in 2008.

MAY 21

Waneta expansion gets federal green light

MORE POWER: With the expansion, the Waneta Dam would produce another 435 megawatts of power.
—photo by Keith Powell

Columbia Power Corporation's—a subsidary of Columbia Basin Trust—next big project is one step closer with the recent green light given by Canada's Environment Minister John Baird. CPC is planning to build a second powerhouse at the Waneta Dam on the Pend d'Oreille River just south of Trail.

The expansion would see the Waneta Dam produce another 435 megawatts of power. Approvals are still needed from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Transportation Canada.

The recent Federal environmental approval clears the way for interested contractors to start to prepare and submit bids on the project.

If all approvals are forth coming the construction project on the Waneta Dam expansion should commence by the end of 2008 or in early 2009.

For more info visit www.columbiapower.org.

MAY 20

Alpine Toyota sold—Terry Parsons retires

After 27 years in the Cranbrook automotive scene its time to retire for dealer principal, Terry Parsons, of Alpine Toyota located on Cranbrook’s busy strip. Terry Parsons started with Alpine Toyota in April 1981 and became a partner in the dealership in 1988 with Gert De Groot. He became sole owner 10 years ago in 1998.

Alpine Toyota has been purchased by Mike Trotman, owner of a Dodge/Chrysler dealership in Langley and in Vancouver Island’s Comox Valley. Bruce Smith will be the new dealer principal running the day-to-day operations of Alpine Toyota.

Terry will help with the transition of the Toyota dealership to the new owners, do some consulting work and then he plans to take it easy for a bit. The sale transaction was completed on May 14th, 2008.

www.alpinetoyota.com

MAY 16

New foam insulation company opens in the Kootenays

KEEPING IT GREEN: EnviroFoam Insulation, a new company started by Karin and Doug Lowes, sells and installs a line of soya-based urethane spray foam made with recycled plastic bottles.
—photo by Keith Powell

Former manager of the Shaw Cable in the Kootenays, Doug Lowes and his wife Karin, have started a new foam insulation business, serving the Kootenay region.

EnviroFoam Insulation is the name of the new company which sells and installs a line of soya-based urethane spray foam made with recycled plastic bottles.

The company offers a full line of environmentally-friendly and certified foam spray applications designed for both residential and commercial applications. And the product is made of a zero-ozone-depletion substance and offers a three-in-one air, thermal and vapour barrier.

To generate publicity EnviroFoam Insulation has been displaying their products at trade shows throughout the Kootenay region including in Invermere and Cranbrook. For more info see www.whyfoamisbetter.com or call Doug Lowes at (250) 417-1492.

MAY 15

Cranbrook's newest housing development springing to life

VANTAGE POINT: Northwood Estates, a 44-lot housing development, overlooks the quad ball diamonds in Cranbrook.
—photo by Keith Powell

Cranbrook's busy real estate market and near zero rental market continues to fuel additional construction projects throughout the city.

Highland Realty in Cranbrook, owned by developer/realtor Ron Stuckey, is in the midst of building a new housing development on the northside of the city. The 44-lot development overlooks Cranbrook's popular quad ball diamonds.

Called Northwood Estates, this development is similiar to the company's recently completed and successful Orchard Park Estates. Construction is well underway on half a dozen homes on the west side of the property. Cranbrook's New Dawn Developments is handling the building contracts for the development.

Complete homes and lots start at about $336,000. For more information about Northwood Estates visit their website at www.highlandproperties.ca.

MAY 14

New fire hall built at Panorama Mountain Village

ALPINE STYLE: The new fire hall at Panorama features four truck bays, storage facilities, training space, meetings rooms and a traditional hose drying tower.

The Panorama Volunteer Fire Department has a new $1 million home. An Invermere construction company was awarded the contract to construct the new fire hall on Regional District property at the entrance to Panorama Mountain Village.

Fire Chief Martin Caldwell is proud of the new fire hall.

“Our department has been making many improvements with an increase in the number of firefighters, more rescue services, the purchase of new trucks, and now a new fire hall," said Caldwell. "The new building will give us not just a facility to store our equipment, but a true home of which we can be proud."

The new fire hall, costing approximately $998,000, consists of four truck bays, storage facilities, training space and meeting rooms. The alpine-styled building features a traditional hose drying tower. The project was recently completed by Reinhart Construction.

MAY 13

FLY YXC buildling excitement

MAKING THE CONNECTION: The Delta connection would see three weekly flights (winter and summer starting December 2008) from their hub in Salt Lake City to Cranbrook.

The buzz is building about the distinct possiblity of Delta Airlines flying directly into the Canadian Rockies International Airport in Cranbrook. The Fly YXC Alliance (www.flyyxc.com) has been busy garnering pledges from developers, resorts and businesses in the region.

The Delta connection would see three weekly flights (winter and summer starting December 2008) from their hub in Salt Lake City to Cranbrook. This opens up a market of some 16 million Americans who could fly directly into Kootenay Rockies region. Recent news of Delta and Northwest Airlines merging means that the combination makes for the world's largest airline.

Kootenay Rockies Tourism is currently running ads looking for a dynamic individual for a newly-created tourism marketing position titled co-ordinator—Air Partner Programs. The successful applicant will assume the responsibilities for planning and delivering marketing initiatives in the Canadian Rockies International Airport Air Tourism Marketing Plan and by the Fly YXC Alliance. (www.kootenayrockies.com)

What can your business do to help move this initiative forward? 1) Pledge your support in dollars to guarantee the intiative moves forward. 2) Sign up to Delta's frequent flier program called SkyMiles.

Here's a link to take you directly to the Delta SkyMiles registration page: www.delta.com/skymilesenrollment/skymiles/enrollment.

MAY 12

Castlegar News names publisher

Peter Sheets is the new publisher of the Castlegar News.

Chuck Bennett, Black Press Group publisher, Kootenays, made the announcement Friday, May 2.

“We are thrilled to have Peter join our Black Press team here in the West Kootenay,” said Bennett. “He has a wealth of knowledge about this area and our industry. I think he will be a perfect fit.”

Peter is a resident of Trail and has lived in that community with family for many years. Peter also brings years of experience in advertising sales.

Peter is married to Aladina and has two children, Jordan and Andrew.

This position was effective May 5.

Source: CastlegarNews.com

MAY 9

New Creston Home Hardware ready to blossom

READY TO OPEN: The new Home Hardware store in Creston is gearing up for a spring opening.
—photo by Keith Powell

The anticipation is building in Creston as the opening of the new all-one Home Hardware Building Centre is getting ready to swing open its doors. The spacious new 25,000-square-foot retail operation and complete with lumber warehouse will combine the current two Creston locations into one convenient store. It is located on Creston’s west side right on busy Highway #3.

The Creston Home Hardware is owned and operated by Rob Schepers. The new Home Hardware which will serve the entire Creston Valley and east Kootenay Lake area is scheduled to be open mid-to-late June.

Creston Home Hardware is anticipating employing almost 60 people when the new store opens. Across Canada Home Hardware has over 1000 stores that are 100% Canadian owned with 100,000 different items available!

MAY 8

The Ridge at Copper Point opens

GO FOR THE GREENS: Both golf courses at Copper Point are open for the season.

Golfers have been playing Copper Point for a several weeks already, and if early season course conditions are an indicator, it is going to be the best year the course has seen.

This is not the only new project on the go at Copper Point. Their new 18-hole Masters-style course, The Ridge at Copper Point opened May 2.

Currently under construction in the midst of The Ridge course is the new luxury 107-unit Copper Point Resort. With an August 2008 opening, construction of the Resort is progressing at a rapid pace.

The Resort's condominium units are now over 80 per cent sold out and the remaining units are expected to sell-out quite quickly with the start of the tourist season and the opening of their show suite in May.

MAY 7

Summit West developments on the go

IN THE WORKS: Located above the existing Mount Royal area, this 52-acre subdivision offers a spectacular view of the City of Cranbrook and the surrounding area.
—photo by Keith Powell

Summit West Investments is moving a lot of dirt these days as it prepares the in-ground infrastructure of its new subdivision called Mount Royal Estates.

Located above the existing Mount Royal area, this 52-acre subdivision offers a spectacular view of the City of Cranbrook and the surrounding area.

These half-to-one acre sized lots (many with sold signs on them already) come with complete architectural guidelines to ensure development integrity and value.
Summit West Investments is lead by Sheldon Isaman who is responsible for conception and implementation of the company’s development visions and plans.

Summit West Investments is also in the process of developing two other projects in the Kootenays, namely Koocanusa Landing on Koocanusa Lake and Gray Creek Estates near Kootenay Lake.

For more info visit their corporate website www.summitwest.ca.

MAY 6

Economic groups meet to discuss broadband access

NETWORKING: The board of the KRREA and KRIC met to discuss broadband access in the Kootenays. Pictured (L to R) are Diana Brooks, KRREA executive director; guest speaker Everett Surgenor; Mac Campbell, KRREA chair and Richard Wake, chair of KRIC.
—photo by Keith Powell

A joint board meeting of the Kootenay Rockies Regional Economic Alliance (KRREA) and the Kootenay Regional Innovative Council (KRIC) recently convened at the Heritage Inn in Cranbrook.

The two boards met to hear the presentation of guest speaker Everett Surgenor. He discussed the issue of “Broadband and Economic Development: Unraveling the potential.”

Surgenor is a retired superintendent of School District #20 in the West Kootenay. His presentation spoke to three kinds of literacy: technical, digital and financial. In his estimation high-end broadband connections in the Kootenays are needed to transcend the past and create a vibrant future.

For more about KRREA visit www.krrea.org.

MAY 5

Cranbrook Ford store adds staff

UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP: Denham Ford is the new name of the former Millenium Ford, located on The Strip in Cranbrook.

It's been a busy first six months at Denham Ford in Cranbrook and they have been busy adding some new personnel lately. Of course, Denham Ford is the new name of the former Millenium Ford. Don Denham, general manager and his son Brydon Denham, sales manager, took over the Ford dealership when their Denham auto group purchased it from longtime Cranbrook businessman, Brian Geddes, who retired in late 2007.

Denham Ford recently announced they were welcoming on board sales consultant Gerry Pepin and Service Manager Shay Garnett. At the same time veteran sales associate John Press became the dealership's business manager.

Denham Ford is located on Cranbrook's busy strip. For more info visit www.denhamfordbc.com.

MAY 2

National Geographic and local partners release geotourism mapguide

A NEW RESOURCE: Chris Dadson, executive director of Kootenay Rockies Tourism points out some of features of the National Geographic MapGuide. Also pictured (left to right) Steve Thompson, project coordinator; John Frandsen, web designer; Chris Dadson; Carrie Schafer, College of the Rockies—Tourism Knowledge Cluster and Troy Sebastian, Ktunaxa Nation and Chair, College of the Rockies.

Travellers who seek unspoiled places and culturally authentic experiences have a valuable new resource in a newly released GeoTourism MapGuide for the Rocky Mountain region surrounding Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, including areas in British Columbia, Alberta and Montana. The community-based map, developed by the National Geographic Society and dozens of regional partners, highlights the Crown of the Continent region's distinctive features. The MapGuide was released at the St Eugene Mission on May 01, 2008.

Jonathan Tourtellot, director of the National Geographic's Center for Sustainable Destinations and senior editor of the map told the audience gathered via video, "The objective of the Map Guide is to showcase the region's most unique points of interest and to tell the broader story of a remarkable landscape beyond borders. The Crown of the Continent is one of the most intact natural ecosystems in the temperate zones of the world."

Local partners in the creation of the MapGuide included Kootenay Rockies Tourism, Ktunaxa Nation, College of the Rockies—Tourism Knowledge Cluster in addition to Travel Alberta, Visit Montana and of course the National Geographic Society based in Washington, D.C.

For more on the MapGuide visit the companion website www.crownofthecontinent.net

MAY 1

The legacy continues at Three Valley Gap

THE LEGACY LIVES ON: Gordon Bell passed away last November at 74 years old; he is survived by his wife and four children who will continue to run the Three Valley Gap heritage town near Revelstoke.

The family of the late Gordon Bell has announced that the Three Valley Gap near Revelstoke will re-open again this spring.

“We’re just going to keep on doing what we’ve done every year,” said daughter Rene, “There will be a noticeable void…but we’ve been well trained.”

In November 2007, Gordon Bell was on his way home form two conferences in Kansas City, MO and Ottawa, ON, when he collapsed and passed away suddenly in hospital. He was 74. It was a shock to the Bell family, and to the business community, which he had been a leader for decades.

But in the spirit of the best succession planning, Bell’s four children George, 54, Carol, 52, Melody, 47 and Rene, 46, together with his wife Ethel, will continue to run the business as they always have—as a family unit.

Three Valley Lake Chateau and Heritage Ghost Town is located near Revelstoke and features a resort hotel, restaurant, gift shop and heritage town. www.3valley.com

Source: BC Lodging and Campgrounds Dogwood Express Newsletter.