Sparwood A community on the verge of change Sparwood’s growth is creating a demand for new housing by TANYA LAING MOORE
POSITIONED FOR SUCCESS: The Causeway Bay Hotel in Sparwood is seeing an increase in business thanks to tourism and a thriving mining industry. —photo by Tanya Laing Moore
Sparwood is a community that has seen its fortunes change in recent years with the increase in the region’s mining profile.
Shelley Bodie with the District of Sparwood has lived in the community for 27 years, and has witnessed great change in the town.
“(Sparwood has) been growing within the last five years,” said Bodie. “The mines got stronger. We had a slump in the mining industry in the late ’80s and now it’s picked up again, so there are more and more people coming in and being employed.”
The increase in tourism and mining activity has also spurred the reopening of the town’s largest hotel, The Causeway Bay Hotel, formerly the Black Nugget Inn.
As well, Sparwood is experiencing a growing demand for housing and a subsequent need for skilled carpenters. Bodie said the housing prices have increased with the demand, and it is anticipated they will continue to rise with the developments planned in the region.
“I think a lot of people are looking forward to it,” said Bodie, who is certain that the people moving into the area will not be disappointed.
“It’s a great place to live,” she said.
Key Sparwood contacts
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Teck Cominco Metals Ltd. Teck Cominco is a diversified mining company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The company is a world leader in the production of zinc and metallurgical coal and is also a significant producer of copper, gold and specialty metals.
Teck Cominco is committed to creating value for its shareholders while continually improving its performance as a responsible corporate citizen and a leader in its industry. The company pursues development of new technologies that make mining more economically and environmentally sustainable and strives to be a Partner of Choice wherever it operates and with whomever it is associated.
Teck Cominco Metals Ltd Po Box 1000 Trail, BC PHONE: (250) 364-4113
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Reaching MAX potential Roca Mines Inc. is focused on the outstanding mineral exploration and development potential located within British Columbia. Roca's primary asset is the MAX Molybdenum Project, located 60 kilometres southeast of Revelstoke, B.C. MAX is Canada's first new primary molybdenum mine in more than 30 years and B.C.'s first brand new metal mine in a decade. Regional economic benefits have already been realized, with community well-being and employee health as our primary goals Local environmental protection and community involvement are cornerstones to our success. Initial molybdenum concentrate production from the MAX Mine commenced in late 2007. Roca Mines Inc., and our wholly-owned subsidiary, FortyTwo Metals Inc., thank everyone who has taken part in building this exciting B.C.-based project.
Roca Mines Ltd 490 - 1122 Mainland St Vancouver, BC PHONE: (604) 684-2900
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Westshore Terminals Westshore Terminals
Located in Vancouver, Westshore Terminals Limited Partnership is Canada's leading coal export facility and the largest dry bulk terminal on the west coast of the Americas. The next two years will be a period of transition for Westshore Terminals. By early 2009, a CDN $45 million equipment upgrade, now underway, will be completed bringing with it greater efficiencies of operation and a higher yearly throughput capacity at 29 million tonnes.
Along the way, Westshore's team will be working hard to meet customer expectations as we fulfill our role as Canada's premier coal export terminal and equip for a better future with faster trail dumping and speedier ship loading.
Westshore Terminals 1 Roberts Bank Delta, BC PHONE: (604) 946-4491
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Commitment and quality Congratulations to Merit Mining from Logistical Mill Installations Ltd. We are proud to have been the general contractor for the civil, structural, mechanical and electrical installations. Our project management experience with mill installations and expansions includes detailed engineering, fabrications and quality control. Safety is our number one priority and when you hire Logistical Mill Installations our management team is dedicated solely to your project. From start to finish, we provide commitment and quality.
Logistical Mill Installations Ltd. Rock Creek, BC PHONE: (250) 446-2985 WEBSITE:
