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Good Rockin’ Tonight! George Thorogood and the Destroyers rocked Western Financial Place Sunday, April 24. See more, Page 20. Trevor Crawley photo
Wildfire contained by Roosville Mainroad signs new KEY TO THE HIGHWAY
seven-year contract TRE VOR CR AWLEY
A new seven-year contract has been signed between Mainroad East Kootenay Contracting and the provincial government, announced Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett on Friday. The new contract, which provides for $16.7 million annually over the term, replaces an expiring contract between the same two entities that includes new standards and specifications and close to $500,000 in additional annual funding. “This new contract increases the amount spent
on maintenance by $490,000 a year so Mainroad will be able to meet the expectations of people in the region,” said Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, in a press release. “With Mainroad continuing as the maintenance contractor for this area, there will be a smooth transition to the new contract and the comfort that an experienced contractor with employees who are knowledgeable about the local issues will continue to keep our highways safe.”
Jack Bennetto, District Manager for the Rocky Mountain District with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, noted that the the new contract contains higher standards and more stringent requirements. “We’ve heard you, the public, and because of that, we’ve changed the specifications, primarily in winter, and we’ve also added some money to the contract, almost half a million dollars per year,” Bennetto said, during the announcement.
See MAINROAD, Page 4
TRE VOR CR AWLEY
A small wildfire that broke out last Wednesday was quickly contained within a day by B.C. wildfire crews as conditions start to dry up. The fire, a 22-hectare blaze seven kilometres east of Roosville near the Canada/U.S. border, was contained and mopped up by a crew of 18 personnel by Thursday after-
noon. The cause of the fire hasn’t been determined, however, it was in a remote area that didn’t threaten any structures or communities, according to Karlie Shaughnessy, a fire information officer with the Southeast Fire Centre. “The fire was reported [Wednesday] and when crews got out there, it was in the later
evening and when they returned early [Thursday], they managed to get a good handle on it,” Shaughnessy said. Wildfire season as already begun in other parts of the province, as the Prince George Fire Centre — northern B.C.— has responded to 45 new fires since April 18.
See WILDFIRE, Page 4
Kimberley Aquatic Centre down for two months Main water pipe breaks flooding mechanical room
C AROLYN GR ANT
A major mechanical break down has caused the Kimberley Aquatic Centre to close and it is estimated it will be at least eight weeks before it re-opens. “It’s really unfortunate,” said Mayor Don McCormick. “What
happened was that the bracing that supports the main six inch water pipe gave way and the pipe broke. The mechanical room is in the basement and it filled up with water. There was major damage to components.” The good news is the dam-
age will be covered by insurance. “That was the first thing we checked,” McCormick said. “It’s covered. “The major issue is the inconvenience of the facility being out of commission.”