THURSDAY JULY 16, 2015
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Wildfire evacuation alerts lifted Page 2
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
Trail armoury gets million-dollar boost BY VALERIE ROSSI Times Staff
Performing drills inside the Kemball Armoury in Trail will be much more comfortable with air conditioning throughout the building, according to Chief Warrant Officer Sharman Thomas. This is one of the improvements planned for the facility, Kootenay Columbia MP David Wilks described when he stopped in this week to announce a $1 million investment from the federal government. “We were very pleasantly surprised,” said Thomas. “The money coming in is something that's very much needed and it's going to be a positive influence on not just our unit, and the cadets and the Trail Pipe Band, as an example, but it's going to be good for the local economy by creating some jobs in our area as well.” The funding will go toward replacing windows and doors, upgrading washrooms, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and fire safety systems, as well as a fresh coat of paint on the exterior walls. Work on the building that dates back to the late ‘40s is scheduled to begin next summer and wrap up within two
VALERIE ROSSI PHOTO
Cpl. Laura Matern of the 44 Engineer Squadron/ 39 Combat Engineer Regiment in Trail has spent a lot of time in the Trail armoury since she began working in Trail in 2005. A $1 million boost from the federal government will go a long way in adding comfort to the ageing facility. years time. The armoury is home to the 44 Engineer Squadron, of the 39 Combat Engineer Regiment in Trail. The regiment is part of the 39 Canadian Brigade, Canada's
Army in B.C., and maintains service to Canada through the generation of reserve engineer soldiers that support overseas missions as well as civilian authorities during time of
domestic emergency and security. “By improving the facility itself, you are going to have more people coming in not just locally but from outside the
area,” said Thomas. A comfortable place to train may also attract new recruits and lead to more large-scale training efforts, he added. Last year, the facility hosted about 450 reserve soldiers, ranking from junior privates to senior officers, in Trail for the 2014 Kootenay Cougar training exercises. Cpl. Laura Matern, resource management support clerk, remembers all too well the influx of people resting their heads in tents in and around Trail to take part in this exercise. “They were long days,” she said. “It would have been nice to have air conditioning so people could come in and use the building for instance to have lunch instead of sitting outside in a really hot tent.” Fairly new tent pads were used last year to provide comfort to those staying on the grounds. The new money from the federal government will also go toward bringing power to these pads, which will provide more comfort during events like a cadet training weekend. The boost will also go toward mounting a monument, up to 15 more parking spaces outside the gates and a new fence.
Community volunteers prepare for arrival of Communities in Bloom judges BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
Everything is coming up roses this week for Trail Community in Bloom as they await the Sunday arrival of the program's international judges. Rolling through town until Saturday is the Telus Care-a-Van team, hosting events and asking Silver City residents to become part of its Communities in Bloom (CiB) fundraiser for the Trail group. The company's symbolic “family tree” will be at various locations, today from 8 a.m. until noon at Trail Coffee & Tea Company with
TELUS reps handing out coffee and treats. Besides free goodies, they'll be giving each person the opportunity to raise $10 for the Trail CiB program by attaching his/her name on a branch of the donation tree. “To make a lasting impact, we'll be donating to Communities in Bloom before leaving town,” says Caitlin Hall from Telus media relations, mentioning the money will be given during Saturday's Customer Appreciation Lunch in Rossland. “Just how much we donate is up to the locals.” Those savvy with social media, are asked to like and
share the Telus Facebook post describing the campaign. Each like will up the company's donation by $5 to a maximum donation of $5,000. That's great news for the Trail volunteer-run program, as members continue clean up along the highway, planting near the White Garden in Jubilee Park and pulling weeds in anticipation of the judging, which happens on Monday. “We are asking people to clean up their streets, make sure there is no grass coming out of their sidewalks, cut their grass and trim the See RESIDENTS, Page 3
SHERI REGNIER PHOTO
The Telus Care-A-Van team dropped into Morning Perk in downtown Trail Wednesday morning, handing out free goodies to customers and asking people to sign the company's donation tree. Each signature garners $10 for the Trail Communities in Bloom program. Each “Like” on the Telus Facebook posting describing the CiB fundraiser, ups the ante $5. The van will be at Trail Coffee & Tea Company with the donation tree today until noon, offering free drinks and goodies. (Left to right) Camille Philp and Gerianne Hanik from Morning Perk, Caitlin Hall from Telus Social and Media Relations.
Contact the Times: Phone: FineLine250-368-8551 Technologies 62937 Index 9 Fax:JN866-897-0678 80% 1.5 BWR NU Newsroom: 250-364-1242
Supporting our community West Kootenay Brain Injury Association Support for Survivors and their Caregivers in the community. Visit their store every Thursday at Waneta Plaza beside Crockett Books to view the artistic endeavours of their clients
Canada Post, Contract number 42068012
Free kids playroom and ball pit
www.wanetaplaza.com
5 min. east of Trail on Hwy 3B