SILENT MAJORITY: Survey explores Revelstoke opinions on transition to resort community - 14
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Vol. 114, No. 12
Studying wolverines - 16
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www.revelstoketimesreview.com
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TIMESReview
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Victim of Ghost Peak avalanche identified
When buildings collapse
AARON ORLANDO editor@revelstoketimesreview.com
The old Revelstoke Water Bottling Plant located just west of Glacier National Park collapsed earlier this month. The question: was it taken out by an avalanche or did it collapse underneath the snow load? See page 3 for more. Courtesy Revelstoke Property Management
The victim of the Ghost Peak avalanche incident on Mar. 11 has been identified as David Ng, 32, of Calgary. Ng was on a ski touring adventure in the Ghost Peak area with five others from the Calgary and Fernie area when he was caught in an avalanche. A Canadian Avalanche Centre reports says the six skiers were skiing in between Ghost Peak and the peak of Mt. Cartier at an elevation of 2038 metres. Four skiers waited at the top of a slope while two descended. One of the two held up part of the way down while the other skied through cliffs and trees to a lower slope. It was the skier who held up higher on the slope who noticed the slide. He shouted “avalanche” and blew a whistle to alert the others. After the avalanche stopped, the others were able to quickly locate and dig out victim David Ng. They began CPR and continued for 30 minutes before ending their attempt to revive him. They also called for help on a satellite phone immediately. The report notes the slide was a size “2” and was about 200 metres wide and 150 centimetres deep. The CAC report also notes the helicopter that brought Revelstoke SAR members to the scene on Sunday had to turn back due to “horrid flying conditions” including high winds, blowing snow and ice forming on its rotors. Despite adverse conditions, the party was not in any difficulty while they awaited for officials to arrive on the scene. They were experienced skiers and had come prepared for a multi-day trip. Avalanche, page 2
Downie Timber appeals for property tax consideration AARON ORLANDO editor@revelstoketimesreview.com
It’s been a deeper valley than anyone could have foreseen, but after four hard years it looks as if Revelstoke’s local mill is just beginning the climb back up the other side – but they still need all the help they can get. Representatives from Downie Timber asked city council to keep them in mind when setting taxation rates this year. The appeal comes weeks before council sets final tax rates, and is a continuation of a sixyear lobby effort by the mill to have their property taxes reduced. Downie representative Jack Heavenor led a delegation to council’s
Mar. 13 city council meeting. His presentation focused on the positives the mill brings to Revelstoke as well as the challenges they’re facing. Heavenor said Downie was slowly starting to recover after taking serious hits following the economic downturn starting in 2008. Back in 2008, some of Downie’s core cedar products were commanding $1,200 per thousand board feet. That price dropped to $880 by 2010 and then to $750 by 2011. “It’s hammered us,” Heavenor said. Prices have increased slightly this year, but only to about $775. He noted that housing starts in the U.S. had plummeted to less than half
Downie Timber Ltd. representative Jack Heavenor presents an appeal for lower tax rates to Revelstoke city council on Mar. 13. Co-owner Ron Gorman (seated at right) also gave a brief presentation.
Downie, page 18
Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Times Review
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