S TANDARD TERRACE
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VOL. 26 NO. 16
www.terracestandard.com
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Dowland bankruptcy hurts By JOSH MASSEY Local companies have lost hope that they will ever see the money owed to them by the departed and now bankrupt construction giant Dowland. Documents released by their international receiving company Alvarez & Marsal Canada Inc. show Dowland left 34 local businesses owed a total of nearly $700,000 at the time of their bankruptcy in May for the work they performed on the Dasque-Middle hydroelectric project southeast of Terrace. The documents made public on
the receiver’s website show that Dowland’s three subsidiary companies sank under a staggering amount of debt. The repayment of Terrace subcontractors, who are listed as unsecured creditors, would happen only after the secured creditors are repaid. The statements show Dowland Industrial Works owes over $50 million, including $21 million to secured creditor Royal Bank of Canada. The bankrupt company’s assets are valued at $13,823,499. The other two subsidiaries—
Dowland N.W.T. Limited and Dowland Contracting—also owe tens of millions to a long list of creditors in the Yukon, Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Alberta. Rob Dykman, owner of the Terrace’s Coast Mountain Wireless and chair of the Terrace Economic Development Association, said that Dowland pulled out of Terrace with 45 of his two-way radios still in their vehicles, a total of about $50,000 worth of gear and rental costs. “I’m still looking at my options here about what to do with that. It is still technically stolen property.
They hightailed it with my stuff,” Dykman said. “Unfortunately sometimes with larger companies that come in from out of town it doesn’t necessarily mean they are always secure. I think that’s the biggest thing I learned, that no one is beyond going into the receivership, big or small,” he said. “I think companies in Terrace are going to be a little more cautious in letting the amount owing by certain companies get out of hand.” Dowland was the second prime contractor to try their hand at the
20 megawatt run-of-river project located about 25 kilometres southeast of Terrace and owned by Calgary-based Veresen. Another large contractor called Surespan pulled out in January 2012, filing a $2 million legal claim against Veresen soon after. Terrace companies performed timber clearing, digital communication setup, fuel supply, waste management and many other services for Dowland, who promised payment in several memos sent following their sudden withdrawal to Alberta in March.
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Murder under investigation By AMARA JANSSENS
AMara Janssens PHOTO
investigators conduct a line search of the front lawn where the homicide took place. The victim was discovered on the front porch of the home, seen here behind blue tarp.
Terrace’s first homicide in a year-and-a-half has rocked residents of a south side neighbourhood. On Tuesday, July 23 police and paramedics received a 911 call to respond to a home in the 2800 block of Sparks Street at 1:30 a.m. When first responders arrived, they found a caucasian male thought to be in his 20s who had suffered what police called “significant trauma.” The victim was on the front porch of the home, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Police had yet to identify the body, or the cause of the death, as of late last week, but did confirm it was criminal in nature and ruled it a homicide. Since last Tuesday, the house where the homicide occurred, and the immediate neighbouring homes were behind a police line as police searched for evidence. Investigators conducted a detailed line search of the front lawn of the home on July 25, where four officers stood in a line, took a step, crouched to look for evidence and then took another step to ensure ev-
ery inch of the lawn had been examined. According to an officer at the scene, the long grass made this task especially challenging. Police said a post mortem medical examination would be completed this week, which should identify the victim and possible cause of death. The General Investigation Section and Forensic Identification Section of the Terrace RCMP have been working closely together along with the BC Coroners Service. As of late last week, the police line was still up and this section of Sparks Street remained closed to thru traffic. However, Terrace RCMP Inspector Dana Hart, said the occupants of the homes behind the police line were able to have access to their homes. Neighbours of the house where the death occurred allege there were drug connections as the house saw frequent traffic coming and going, however police have not confirmed if there are any drug connections. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call Terrace RCMP (250-638-7400) or CrimeStoppers.
Mass appeal
Transit task force
In the fast lane
Nass Valley bands make beautiful music together at variety of events \COMMUNITY A11
Terrace’s mayor calls for a task force to look at transportation solutions \NEWS A14
Terrace five-pin bowlers win big at national championships in Calgary \SPORTS A30