S TANDARD TERRACE
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VOL. 26 NO. 43
www.terracestandard.com
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Wood hotel to soar over city By JOSH MASSEY CONSTRUCTION is set to start by early spring on a hotel which could very well be the tallest wooden structure ever built here. To be erected on the vacant property just west of Kalum Tire on Hwy16, this latest addition to the northwest B.C. chain of Sunshine Inns will have five storeys above ground framed with timber. The provincial building code was changed in 2009 to allow wooden structures to be six storeys tall.
And there's never been a wooden frame building in Terrace over four storeys tall, city planner David Block told city councillors at a January meeting. Sunshine Inn developer Kim Tran, who travelled as far as Florida to come up with design ideas, said several reasons prompted his decision to go with a wood structure. “The number one reason is we don't have the tradesmen for a noncombustible project that can do the job here in Terrace. I would have to bring someone from Vancouver,”
said Tran. “So it's not a very economical way to build, and all my employees are familiar with working with wood for many years.” In addition to having tradespeople more familiar with the material, Tran said wood is easier to work with than steel and fits with his Canadian inclinations. “We are living in the country where wood seems to be very popular and anything that I can do to support local forestry I would like to do,” said Tran. Aside from framing, Tran is also considering timber add-ons to
the interior design of his hotel. The height of the structure, which will be 19 metres after Tran received permits for his design, did peak interest among some council members. “It appears from the plan that it is innovative,” said councillor Brian Downie. “We are going to want to get lots of pictures as it is getting built because it's something that the BC Wood Council will want.” The development plan shares some similarities with the provincially funded $21.5 million Wood Innovation Design Centre current-
ly being built in downtown Prince George. That project's aim is to showcase wood innovation in the north. It is a 29-metre high structure and will house research space and UNBC classrooms, located across from the Ramada Inn. The wooden structure means Tran has to have an approved fire safety plan and Downie said he was satisfied with the one put in place by fire chief John Klie. “I think that's a really good step and should resolve issues as it goes along,” said Downie.
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Gov’t seizes house By MARGARET SPEIRS
MARGARET SPEIRS PHOTO
■■ Danse avec Bonhomme Carnaval bonhomme dances in the gym of Ecole Mountainview at the school’s Carnaval Jan. 30. Having fun with him are, from left, Kayla Rentz, Denver Long, Yaeva Skog, and Julia Prouse. The school held a week-long Carnaval and on this day, kindergarten students were in the gym shooting pucks at hockey goals, playing musical chairs without the chairs and other activities.
A local woman charged with illegal drug offences but never convicted has lost her house to the provincial government. Ellen New was originally charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking in 2010 and had more charges added later only. But all were then stayed in Oct. 2012. Police then asked the provincial government's civil forfeiture office to seize New's house, saying it was used for drug trafficking and that proceeds from that trafficking were used to increase her equity in the property, according to a notice of civil claim. Her home at 3810 Pine Ave. was subsequently forfeited to the provincial government in July 2013 and sold for $91,500 on Nov. 5, 2013. Also seized by the province was $2,860. This is the third such forfeiture in Terrace since a civil forfeiture law was introduced in 2005. In 2012, two houses believed to be used as marijuana grow-ops – one at 4740 Soucie Ave. and the other at 3515 King Ave. – were forfeited.
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Learning for all
In the zone
Looking to win
First literacy day event in one location is great success for participants \COMMUNITY A18
A report on an area of China that is looking to expand into Terrace \NEWS A5
Cal’s Sr. Boys basketball team faces some stiff competition this season \SPORTS A26