Baldface rolls out expansion plans

Baldface Lodge is planning a $2.5 million expansion to its catski operation near Nelson.  President Jeff Pensiero expects work to begin this month on a two-storey, 9,000 square foot (836 sq. m) dorm-style building with 26 rooms, as well as an addition to the main lodge with a hot tub, four massage rooms, and 1,000 square foot (92 sq. m) conference and yoga space. Baldface has hired local architect Steven Kaup, general contractor Maglio Installations, and engineers Andrew Swan and Don Willems on the project, which is also expected to help draw summer visitors once complete. “We have great mountain biking trails and an amazing hiking spot,” President Jeff Pensiero says. “We’ll offer a broader spectrum, and I think make a run at a decent summer business.” It follows the collapse in May of an Atco trailer wing under heavy snow which served the operation for nine seasons. Construction should start by the end of the month or beginning of August, and they hope to be inside by mid-October, weather permitting. They’re still waiting for snow to be off the ground so they can finish demolishing the trailers and haul the wreckage out.

Chamber survey offers insight into the future of local businesses

The Rossland Chamber of Commerce has released the results of survey questions answered by local businesses this Spring. Not surprisingly, maintaining and growing Rossland’s population is a central concern of respondents, with the future of K-12 education also looming large. The survey was completed by 64 area businesses and was developed as joint effort between the Chamber of Commerce and the Sustainability Commission’s Economic Development Task Force (EDTF). The survey was given in March, when there was much debate about the future of Rossland schools. Results indicate that Rossland businesses believe K-12 education is crucial to their survival. K-12 education is “attractive for families in our community, and a lot of businesses did indicate it’s important for [business] retention to have that sort of facility in our community, and also in terms of continuing to attract people to sustain our local economy.” The results also showed that business in Rossland like to buy locally, employ locally, and rely on word-of-mouth as an important part of both promoting their businesses and recruiting new employees. For factors affecting the future of the local economy, many businesses believe tourism and city dwellers relocating to the area will be a driving force.

Possible community school cuts

Community Schools in the Kootenay Columbia School District won’t know until September if funding will be reinstated. As part of the budget process the committee recommended about $750,000 worth of savings and cutbacks, which the board accepted…within that recommendation was a cut to Robson, Blueberry Creek and Trail Middle School Community Schools of $25,000 each. Board Chair Gordon Smith says this week they discussed a motion on the agenda to reinstate funding. A letter to the board says as many as 17 programs could be cut because of the loss of funding, and Smith says there were a lot of concerns raised by parents.

Next Phase of Rossland Road Project

Another step has passed in the move to upgrade underground infrastructure on Columbia Ave. and Washington St. in Rossland. Mayor Greg Granstrom says a detailed design plan was approved by council, and he says that will allow the city to have a shelf-ready project that can then be broken down into components. Granstrom says the Ministry has been very co-operative, and has put off the paving project in order to allow the city to examine what needs to be done underground. Granstrom anticipates the engineering design phase to be presented to the city this fall.

Slow fire season so far

It’s been a fairly slow season so far in the Southeast Fire Centre. Fire Information Officer Erin Catherall says as of early this week we’ve had around 16 fires, burning 28 hectares…and 13 of those were preventable person-caused blazes, mostly from backyard burning. She says the slow fire season is due to more precipitation in May and June.

Ferry replacement process for Upper Arrow Lake

It looks like the Upper Arrow Lake Ferries will get a rest by 2014. The province is going to issue a Request for Qualifications in early July…with up to three respondents shortlisted for the 2nd stage, the request for proposal. The process will replace the current 40 year old ferries with a new one, but it will take about 3 years once a decision is made. The province says ferry service won’t be interrupted during that time.

Castlegar Casino opens soon

Chances Casino is expected to open July 26th. Mayor Lawrence Chernoff says the gaming centre is a big plus for the community, but is unable to say at this time just how much the city will benefit financially. Chernoff says the gaming centre has helped with jobs, employing over 50 people from the community.

Nelson Transit faces cuts

In an effort to combat Nelson Transit’s operational deficit, city council has voted to cut service. Starting August 1, busses will no longer run on Sunday, saving the city $13,000 this year and $31,000 annually. The Perrier Road decision will save up to $4,500 this year and up to $14,000 annually. During budget discussions, it was revealed the city’s contribution to Nelson transit faced a $128,000 deficit, and that the city’s piece of the pie has risen from $220,000 in 2008 to almost $400,000 this year. Council also agreed to reduce summer service and school specific service in future years which could save an additional $52,000 annually. Council also formally accepted the Nelson service review document completed earlier this month that looks into a longer range plan for the local service. That plan incorporates a larger area and will bring the Regional District of Central Kootenay into the discussion. Councillor Donna Macdonald said in the long term the system needs a “radical adjustment,” but in the short term the city had to deal with the budget crunch.

5,000 metres of drilling planned for Greenwood area

The exploration and drilling program for Grizzly Discoveries Inc. in 2011 includes plans for discovering new mining options for silver as well as identifying the existing gold veins for future metal recovery. Grizzly currently has a 100% interest in just over 225,000 acres in a single major block of mineral claims centered on the town of Greenwood, B.C. They commissioned APEX Geoscience Ltd. (APEX) of Edmonton, Alberta to mobilize field crews to the Greenwood area in early May to commence ground exploration in advance of a planned 5,000 meter drill program on new and existing high quality targets.

An aggressive Stage 1 field exploration program is underway, including extensive ground geophysical surveys comprised of an induced polarization (“IP”) survey conducted by Peter E. Walcott & Associates Ltd. of Vancouver. In addition, prospecting, rock and soil sampling, along with geological mapping, are underway at a number of existing targets including Copper Mountain, Ket 28, and the Dayton area.Grizzly plans to commence drilling in late summer or early fall 2011 and has allocated a minimum budget of $1.2 million on 5,000 metres of drilling at Greenwood in 2011.

Kootenay News is a regular feature of Kootenay Career Development Society.