A4
AUGUST 2013
MEDICAL: Taking technology on the road
www.pgfreepress.com | newsline: 250.564.0005
REBUILD BEGINS
LAKELAND rises AGAIN
DeLynda PILON/Free Press Greg Stewart, head of Sinclar Group Forest Products, which Lakeland is part of, spoke during a groundbreaking ceremony, saying in about one year workers will be walking in for their shift at the new planer mill. Mayor Shari Green and United Steelworker Union rep Brian O’Rourke also spoke during the short ceremony, attended by employees and friends.
Delynda Pilon newsroom@pgfreepress.com A commitment means a lot, but when it is followed up with action, it means everything. Several months ago at a memorial marking the one-year anniversary of the fire and explosion at Lakeland Mills, a tragedy which took the lives of two employees, Greg Stewart, head of Sinclar Group, announced the mill would be rebuilt. On July 22 the ground was broken and
the crowd cheered, happy the earlier commitment was followed by action and that, within about a year, 100 residents will be making their way to work at the new mill. “This is a big momentous event,” Stewart told the crowd, a handful of employees, family members and friends, as well as several dignitaries, from local city councillors to the president of the regional district. “I am standing here with mixed emotions.” Stewart said he was very happy to be at the mill that day, and happy to bear witness to the groundbreaking ceremony. Nevertheless, he said, he couldn’t help
but recall the night of the explosion and the loss of the two employees who died because of it. He made a commitment to current employees. “When you walk through the doors of the mill in a little more than a year’s time, you will be safe,” he promised. Speaking a little on details of the new mill, Stewart said Lakeland built its reputation on producing stud lumber, a tradition that will continue in the new mill. One improvement will mean the mill can produce metric as well as American standard lengths.
ECO-BOOST TECHNOLOGY NEW
Classic Catalytic Wood Stove
24
HOUR BURN
24 hour consistent burn with a single load of wood quietest blower in the fireplace industry Largest, superior quality Most Efficient large viewing window EVER Built “cool to the touch” handle
COME SEE OUR OPERATING FLOOR MODEL NO Interest, NO Payments for 6 Months, O.A.C.
The final product will be integrated with the city’s downtown energy system as well as the planer mill, both on-site facilities. More details will be available as plans are tweaked to ensure a state-of-the-art facility where safety is a premier standard. Stewart added the final product will produce 200 million board feet a year and employ 100 people. To put this in perspective, he pointed out 200 million board feet of lumber could circle the globe two and a half times, or build 12,500 homes. “Lakeland is a huge contributor to local and national economy,” he said.
39
Years
Experience
FRASER Plumbing & Heating Ltd. Your Indoor Weatherman 430 Third Avenue Prince George Phone: 1-250-562-6777 Fax: 1-250-562-6707 www.frasercanada.com
1-866-447-6777
WOOD FURNACES BY • CLAYTON • HOTBLAST • CADDY • SELKIRK CHIMNEYS WOOD STOVES BY • LOPI • REGENCY • ENERZONE • DROLET • QUADRA FIRE • OSBURN • NESTOR MARTIN • ARCHGARD GAS FIREPLACES BY • LOPI • TRAVIS • REGENCY • KINGSMAN • NAPOLEON • ARCHGARD • NESTOR MARTIN PELLET STOVES & INSERTS BY • QUADRA FIRE
2