News from August 26 to September 2, 2010

City sees largest influx of new residents in decade

According to the New Residents Survey conducted by the local Welcome Wagon and Community Futures Central Kootenay, 585 individuals or 263 families relocated to the Nelson area between April 30, 2009 and May 31 2010. The majority of the moves were inspired by the lifestyle that the Nelson area boasts. That is the largest new resident growth since 2000, which saw 700 individuals move into town. Of these individuals, 60 percent are native BC residents, but 21 percent, a higher number than usual, are previously AB residents. Eighty percent of the new residents are under the age of 44 years and fifty percent of those individuals are between the ages of 25 and 44.

Kootenay West MLA – mixed reaction to Waneta Expansion

Katrine Conroy, Kootenay West MLA is not keen on the news that the Province has awarded FortisBC the Waneta Dam Expansion contract instead of BC Hydro because Fortis is a private company. She does comment on the fact that the expansion project will be good in providing jobs for local residents.

Waneta reaction

FortisBC will take 51 percent ownership of the Waneta Expansion project in partnership with Columbia Power Corporation and Columbia Basin Trust. 400 jobs will be created in the 900 million dollar project which involves constructing a 335 megawatt hydroelectric generating facility.

Axor files draft fish report on Glacier-Howser

The 100 Mega-watt independent power proposal has been under public debate for over a year since BC’s environment office called for a public inquiry into how Axor Corporation would be protecting the native fish habitat. The project involves diverting the water of two creeks along with running a 90km transmission line across the Purcell Mountain range. Nelson-Creston MLA, Michelle Mungall, says that the majority of local residents are opposed to the project and that she hopes that all forward motion in the project will be terminated. Mungall is also asking Project Assessment Director, Kathy Eichenberger, to hold a public meeting in Nelson, to extend the public consultation period and to have the contract re-written in a more plain language so that it is more accessible to the regular person. The supporters of the Glacier-Howser project have recently submitted a draft supplementary fish report to the BC environment assessment office.

Quiet in the forests, but not out of the woods

This summer was relatively quiet in regards to forest fire numbers in the Kootenay Lake District. The majority of fires were small spot fires caused by lightning strikes. The largest forest fire is located in the Purcell Wilderness region and will not be extinguished as it is not a threat to any communities or buildings. At this time last year, fire crews had already responded to 443 fires, whereas this year, only 214 wildfires were reported.

Creston senior housing

Supported by the Columbia Basin Trust in partnership with the Province, 114 units of affordable seniors housing are currently being constructed in the Columbia Basin Region; 24 of the units, in Creston.

Changes in critical care raising concerns

There are some concerns, in the region, over the October 1st switch from a Critical Care Transport Team to the High Acuity Response Team. Local Critical Care RN, William Profili is worried that the change will worsen the pre hospital support. BC Ambulance Acting ED, Ralph Jones, explains that the change was overdue as the old system cost too much for what averages out to be a one-call-a-day service. The new High Acuity Response Team will still be able to do interfacility transfers and will have lifesaving support systems on board.

Kokanee Springs starts work on fulfilling dream

After buying out all the stakeholders of Kokanee Springs Resort, Dale Hodgson is now ready to completely revamp the east shore resort. Bellstar Hotels and Resorts will be laying out detailed plans for the expansion which will include a new clubhouse, pool, restaurant, cabins, villas and course upgrades. The master plan also involves working closely with local artisans. Construction starts this fall.

School district tweaks boundaries

A shift in school district electoral boundaries for communities on the outskirts of Nelson and Creston will now make voting a lot simpler. North Shore and Blewett residents will now be able to vote for one of Nelson area trustees as opposed to the older system, where Blewett citizens voted for Salmo Trustees. Crawford Bay residents will now cast their votes for Creston trustees rather than voting with North Shore residents. School District 8 is also considering modernizing its social networking campaign, by creating Facebook and Twitter pages.

Davies Street lots sell out, park work ramps up

The City of Nelson has been planning a public park on Davies Street for more than a decade. The future of this park project was dependent on the sale of seven properties on Davies Street. The sale of these properties was recently finalized. Construction and planning of the park is currently pending discussions with the Province, in terms of proceeds.

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