An aerial view of Teck's Quintette plant. Inset: a PH 4100 electric shovel, which is slated to be used if the mine re-opens. Greg Amos photo illustration.

By: Greg Amos, Editor

• Six months from green light
• Learning through experience
• Housing a workforce

If all goes as planned, Teck’s Quintette mine is about six months away from approval, and a year and a half from re-opening and production.

Mothballed in 2000, the mine and plant still boasts “world-class facilities,” Teck senior vice president of coal Ian Kilgour explained to the public at the opening of Teck’s town office on April 18.

Two days later, Teck’s Mines Act permit amendment was submitted to the province, triggering a review process that is hoped to last no longer than six-months. That should coincide with the completion of a mine feasibility study that sets the table for 12 years of metallurgical coal production, and a workforce of nearly 500 people. Continue reading →

By: Greg Amos, Editor

After facing an uncertain future heading into their annual general meeting (AGM) earlier this month, the Tumbler Ridge Youth Soccer Association (TRYSA) is on track for the summer.

The first soccer practice took place at Tumbler Ridge Elementary on Wednesday (April 25), about three weeks after the AGM, where 15 people came out and volunteered to fill various coaching and board positions. Continue reading →

By: Naomi Larsen, Chetwynd Echo

LONE PRAIRIE – A proposal for five wind turbines along the ridge of Sandy Hill in Lone Prairie is meeting some opposition.

A not-so-public meeting regarding the proposed 15-megawatt wind farm was held by Aeolis Wind Energy last Thursday (April 19) at the Chetwynd Secondary School library.

Neil Davies, a Lone Prairie resident who was at the meeting, said he was on one of about 25 people who attended, and says it’s not a matter of “not in my backyard” – it’s a matter of not in his front yard.

“The problem we’re having with this proposed development is that it will be in our front yard, right in our faces,” he said. “Everyday we will have to look at those rotors turn while the owners, who all live somewhere else are getting rich. Somehow that doesn’t seem fair to this country boy.” Continue reading →

Chetwynd's Red Rock Cinema is contemplating serving liquor at some films, after the province introuduced new liquor rules on April 11. Liz Brown photo.

By: Liz Brown, Chetwynd Echo

CHETWYND – When Chetwynd’s Red Rock Cinema owners Glenda and Henry Garbanewski heard that movie theatres were eligible for liquor licenses, they wanted to learn more about the particulars.

“Sounds like a good idea and a good way to make ends meet,” said Glenda Garbanewski.

On April 11, Energy and Mines minister Rich Coleman announced that movie theatres and live-event theatres in B.C. could now apply for a license to serve alcohol during the screening of a film.

“These changes strike an appropriate balance between allowing liquor service at theatres and limiting minors’ access to alcohol,” said Coleman. Continue reading →

This graph explains how much each assessment class is paying towards the district's total tax bill. Capture from District of Tumbler Ridge document.

By: Greg Amos, Editor

Major industries located within Tumbler Ridge’s boundaries are picking up 47 per cent of the total tax burden this year, while light industry (20 per cent), homeowners (16 per cent), utilities (11 per cent) and businesses (6 per cent) are covering the remainder.

Tax revenue for the district is based on the values of all properties and infrastructure within the district’s large (1,574 square kilometre) land area. That area includes both existing mines and parts of the Quality Wind Project. Continue reading →

A glimpse of Tumbler Ridge's 2012-2016 financial plan. Greg Amos photo.

Updated: 11 p.m. on April 24

By: Greg Amos, Editor

After spending two and a half hours at a meeting last Thursday (April 19), Tumbler Ridge council edged closer to a final budget for 2012 – one that’s balanced after council found $800,000 between some cuts and drawing on $527,000 in Gas Tax reserve funds for revenue.

In council’s first budget of their three-year term, a trend is being set towards improving amenities to make the district more attractive for families. To re-surface some badly neglected tennis courts, council will spend $150,000 this year, while committing $100,000 to start planning on a proposed water park, $30,000 to a bowling alley feasibility study and $20,000 towards a ski hill task force. Continue reading →

Sections of fibre optic cable are now being pushed into place around Tumbler Ridge. On Mackenzie Way, Jett Industries worker Colin Bordeleau went underground today (April 23) into a service conduit to get things ready for the steam-powered process of “jetting” the fibre into place, which should happen tomorrow. Telus says the fibre optic Internet service will be available in Tumbler Ridge by the summer. Greg Amos photo.