The Hope
Standard
Donavan John wins medal at scholarship tournament 17
Office: 604.869.2421
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2012
w w w. h o p e s t a n d a r d . c o m n e w s @ h o p e s t a n d a r d . c o m
IDEA EXCHANGE STARTS APRIL 12 Four events will cover a range of business topics
CP Rail truck fire
3
Hope firefighters spray fire retardant foam on a maintenance truck which hit a power pole near the CP rail tracks on the north side of the Fraser River last Wednesday. The accident knocked out power to more than 1,600 residents in Hope. For more on this story, see page 3.
LIBERTARIAN SEEKS BYELECTION VOTES Lewis Dahlby is the latest candidate to enter riding contest
4
PATTIE DESJARDINS THE STANDARD
JOB CREATION KEY TO TRUCK STOP New development expected to employ up to 100 people
2
INSIDE Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Community . . . . . . . 9 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Classifieds . . . . . . 19 $
1.10 (HST INCL.)
Hope Fields may not close Kerrie-Ann Schoenit Hope Standard
Hudson’s Bay Company is in the process of negotiating a deal to keep the Fields store open in Hope. Fields Holding Company (FHC) has entered into a tentative agreement with HBC to purchase the rights to 59 retail outlets in Western Canada, including the stores in Hope and Merritt. Local company I.F. Corbett Enterprises Ltd. owns the buildings that house those two locations. President Hilbert Corbett said FHC has agreed to take over both leases in August and its his understanding that the stores will con-
761 Water Avenue 604-869-2700 or 604-206-4455 FAX: 604-869-2800
tinue to operate under the same tegic decision was made to focus name and with the same inventory on growing other HBC banners and staff. like The Bay, Home Outfitters, and “Everything will continue the Lord & Taylor. way it is with no interruptions for FHC was created for the purwhich I’m thankpose of acquiring ful,” said Corbett, Fields locations adding that his by Jason McDou“Everything will father first signed gall, owner of Mcthe lease with continue the way it is Frugals Discount Fields in Hope 40 Outlet stores, and with no interruption for a group of longyears ago. In February, time retailers and which I’m thankful.” HBC announced investors. that it would close The Bargain! Hilbert Corbett all 167 stores in Shop announced Canada by fall last month it will 2012. Tiffany also be taking over Bourre, HBC external commu- 10 retail outlets on Aug. 1, includnications manager, said the stra- ing the Fields store in Agassiz.
Glen Ogren, president of the Hope & District Chamber of Commerce, wasn’t surprised to hear that a buyer has stepped up to acquire the local store. He said it wasn’t a matter of if and when, but rather who would be first in line. “It’s very good news. I think people were very upset when (the closure was announced) because you did have the possibility that more jobs would be lost in the community,” said Ogren, noting that the discount retail outlet has proved to be a profitable business in the community. “If one store shuts down in Hope, it’s very hard on the business landscape. So you don’t want businesses to close.”
4_12W_S4_5416971