Inside
● ●
WALK AGAINST BULLIES P. 3 LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IN VANDERHOOF P. 5
Daylight Saving Time starts Sunday, March 8, 2015, 2:00:00 AM clocks are turned forward 1 hour
E xpress OMINECA
Publications Mail Contract # 40007840
$1.30 Inc. GST Vol. 38 No. 01
Serving Vanderhoof ● Fort Fraser ● Fraser Lake & Area www.ominecaexpress.com
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
New Gold Blackwater Update “We’re still here and still moving forward,” says Claudette Gouger, Community Manager Rebecca Watson Omineca Express
Photo by Rebecca Watson
MEN: Jim Simonson, Vanderhoof local, and Jerry Petersen from Regional District of Bulkley Nechako, smile at the Vanderhoof MenShed open house Feb. 19 in the OK Cafe showing their support for the group’s expansion.
Big MenShed plans Rebecca Watson Omineca Express It wasn’t too long ago Vanderhoof men had no place to go but soon they may have two. The Nechako Valley Historical Society (NVHS) created the MenShed last year which currently runs four days a week at the Vanderhoof museum site to give men a place to meet. “Particularly for men, there are very little
resources in Vanderhoof,” Doug Durward, prevention clinician with Northern Health, said. “The MenShed is a healthy place with good mentors. It’s a nice option for retirees or any males instead of just sitting at home or going out and getting in trouble.” Jim Simonson, 86, of Vanderhoof was born in the Murray house on-site in 1929 and is an avid member of the MenShed. “Women have so many clubs and organizations and men don’t have much,” he said. “I mean it must be popular because we had nearly 15 people at our last get together and
everyone is so enthused and willing to help.” Right now the MenShed takes place in the Smithers building Monday, Wednesday and Friday starting at 9 a.m. and Thursdays at 7 p.m.. Since the MenShed started last year, membership has grown immensely and the NVHS has plans to expand. “We want to build two new buildings behind the Royal Bank (on the museum site) and have the MenShed run every day,” John Alderliesten, NVHS President, said. Continued on page 2
The Nechako Lakes region can expect to hear more from New Gold (NG) on their proposed Blackwater (BW) project as it moves forward with exploration this May. The gold mine’s original construction start date was set for 2015, but has since been moved to a tentative start for 2017. “We’re still very active in the area through exploration and moving forward with our permitting. We’re just at the part people don’t always see what we’re doing but we’re here,” said Claudette Gouger, community manager. The BW mine site, located 110 km south east of Vanderhoof, sits within New Gold’s 1,100 km squared mineral tenure. Its gold deposit was discovered in the 70’s and purchased by New Gold in 2011. During 2012, New Gold mapped out the mineral deposit and started sample drilling. Their 2015 exploration budget is $17 million for all projects, Blackwater being the second largest portion at approximately 25 per cent. Once developed, the BW project will produce more gold than all other New Gold operations combined. The project could enter the public comment stage as early as April 2015 as they continue to work on permitting, environmental assessment and consultations with the community and First Nations. “The opportunity is coming very soon for people to come to our open houses, provide Continued on page 2
2015 Tri City, One Stop
Business Card Directory Book Featuring the best of the best in local businesses Vanderhoof, Fort St. James and Fraser Lake. We care about Small Business and keeping our dollars local. Valuable tool for locals, buying, building, renovating, tourists, new prospective citizens. 6000 copies printed. 50 to every customer to hand out as well as out in high traffic areas.
For more information call the Omineca Express: 250-567-9258