SMITHERS
APRIL 2015
BV Electric has worked on some of the following key projects in Northern BC: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Bell Mine Clarifier - Complete December 2014 Forrest Kerr Hydroelectric Project - Complete November 2014 Volcano Creek Hydroelectric Project McLymount Creek Hydroelectric Project Upper Lillooet Hydroelectric Project - In Progress Long Lake Hydroelectric Project - Complete Fall 2013 Prophet River Multiplex - Complete June 2012 Meziadin Junction Camp - Complete Fall 2012 Meladine Mine Project - Complete May 2011 Gunnar Mine Project - Complete May 2011 Sullivan Motors Building - Complete August 2011 South Hazelton Water Project - Complete August 2011 Klemtu Ferry Terminal Project - Complete August 2011. Hazelton/Gitanmax Water Project - Complete December 2011 Queen Charlotte City Water Treatment Houston Forest Products Projects District of Houston Waste Water Project Alberta Plywood Projects District Of Houston Well # 2 Standby Generator Frank Street Water Project Gitanyow Waste Water Treatment Facility Pacific Inland Resources Project
BV Electric has completed major work on the Forrest Kerr project
BV Electric is known for its work on major industrial projects
Those attitudes, plus its skilled crews, have earned BV Electric an enviable reputation. Huxtable said that not too long ago a large American contractor new to the area, called the company because they were told that BV Electric was the company to call for electrical work in BC. BV Electric lives up to its core values, which include safety,
trust, integrity, quality, teamwork, accountability, innovation, com mu n ity, pride a nd expertise. Huxtable said that teamwork among its employees is key. “We treat our employees the way we would like to be treated. T he ma npower consistently comes back to us looking for work.”
We are proud to be your partner.
Congratulations on your continued success, we look forward to working together with you in the future on any electrical power solutions.
250-562-4343 | www.3phasepower.ca
Safety is also a primary concern for BV Electric. The company has always had an exceptional safety program; even so, as numbers of employees have grown on large projects, the company has made changes to raise the bar even higher. On March 1, the company rolled out a new health and safety program. Working with Western Industrial Solutions, BV Electric is implementing a tablet based safety program. “We’re stepping ahead of the mainstream,” Huxtable said. “And we’re stepping ahead of what people are doing to date. We’re trying to get to the place where we are a leader in safety in our industry as far as implementing online safety programs. Our documents will be filled on tablets and automatically uploaded and sent to our office. We look at that as being one of our major assets to companies. We’re not just happy where we are, we’re constantly looking for ways to improve and move ahead.” BV Electric is also deeply involved in the community, supporting many local organizations and fundraising events. BV Electric has been a long-time supporter of program events such as the Smithers Ski and Snowboard Club; in fact, Huxtable is currently president of the club while employee Philippe Bernier is vice president. BV Electric also supports Creative Roots Performing Art Studio, Bulkley Valley Hospital Foundation and the Smithers Rotary Club. The company also supports the annual Celebrity Golf Tournament in aid of local charities. “We live in and grew up in the valley and we’ve taken part in a lot of these groups and programs,” Huxtable said. “We just like to give back in acknowledgment of what the programs and valley have done for us.” He said that the future looks highly optimistic. “We want to strive to be the b e s t ele ct r ic a l cont ract i n g company that we can possibly be. We’ve established roots in this area. We would probably be a more successful company in any of the larger centres but we choose to live in the Bulkley Valley because we love the area and we love the outdoors.” He noted that part of that commitment to the valley means moving employees to the projects – and that can mean time away from family. However, rather than moving crews to a three week on and one week off schedule that most companies offer, BV Electric gives its people two weeks on and two weeks off. It gives them maximum time with their families, Huxtable said, and family is important. “You’re only as good as the people you have working for you,” he said. “So it’s important that we’re meeting the needs of our people.” BV Electric Ltd. is at 2 400 Telkwa High Road in Telkwa www.bvelectric.ca
9
SMITHERS GETS LONG AWAITED EXPANDED FIBRE OPTIC SERVICE CityWest grand opening means local internet speed now matches that Vancouver’s
SMITHERS HEATHER GALLAGHER
C
ityWest hosted its grand opening in Smithers April 7, with CEO Don Holkestad using the Chamber’s giant ceremonial scissors to cut the ribbon to the new office at 3767 Second Avenue. CityWest is expanding its fibre optic service to the area, which is exciting for the Valley. Many young professionals love the area for its lifestyle offerings, but currently can’t relocate due to the requirement for highspeed internet to enable them to work anywhere in the world. Now they can choose Smithers as their home, with the new service and internet speed now equal to that of Vancouver. Since the new Smithers arena was completed this year - giving Smithers two arenas - the Smithers District Chamber of Commerce embraced the opportunity to expand its Trade Expo by filling both of them. The May 1-2 show is now sold out, featuring an Outdoor Show in the new arena and an indoor car show in the Civic Centre, along with 65 other exhibitor booths and many other outdoor exhibits. It is anticipated that attendance will be up over the last event, with many locals coming to see the new arena and to check out the array of RV’s, ATV’s, boats, kayaks, paddleboards and vehicles. With stage entertainment, good eats and many exhibitors to visit the “Double Exposure” themed show, it is sure to be a success. The Town of Smithers invites downtown commercial businesses wishing to make improvements to their storefronts to apply for a grant under the Downtown Smithers Storefront Spruce Up Program. Northern Development Initiative Trust is the sponsor for this program, from which the Town of Smithers has applied for $20,000 in grant applications. The goal of this program is to encourage owners or commercial tenants to invest in building facade upgrades that will create a more interesting and appealing streetscape in the downtown core. This program can provide grants of up to 50 per cent of the cost of eligible improvements, to a maximum of $5,000 per building. In order to be eligible for this grant, the applicant must submit designs and costs for the project as part of a complete grant application
and part of the building permit application. The Chamber of Commerce sits on the Façade Improvement Advisory Committee. Application packages can be found at www. smithers.ca. Coastal Gas Link held “Let’s Talk”, a Project Information Session, to inform the public about how Coastal Gas Link’s community and aboriginal input, along with over 180,000 hours of environmental field work has shaped its proposed Coastal GasLink Pipeline Project at an Open House in Smithers April 14. Highlights of the Session included learning how communities are engaged; safety and environment practices; benefits to northern communities including jobs, training, community investment, capacity building, long term economic growth for BC; construction planning and detailed routing assessment; regulatory permits granted; local vendor prequalification; and the need for the project in BC and why it’s highly feasible. John Winter, President and CEO of the British Columbia Chamber of Commerce will retire in June. John has provided the Chamber with significant leadership since assuming his position nearly 18 years ago. The chamber has grown significantly during that period and its influence as the Voice of Business in BC has been widely acknowledged. John’s work and guidance to individual Chambers of Commerce like Smithers is greatly appreciated and staff and directors of the Smithers Chamber wish him an enjoyable and lengthy retirement as of June 30. CBC TV is coming to Telkwa. The show that was called “Of All Places” is now called “Still Standing”, and is scheduled to be in Telkwa from April 15-19. The show features quirky small communities across Canada, and Telkwa was selected for its charm and character (It’s like being in Ripley’s Believe It or Not, reflecting on the three bridges over two rivers, all anchored on the same rock). The show stars Newfoundland comedian Jonny Harris of Murdock Mysteries and will feature Telkwa as a small town that is succeeding, full of individuals who happily choose to live there. A Comedy Night hosted by Johnny Harris will take place April 19 at the Telkwa Hall. Heather Gallagher is Manager of the Smithers District Chamber of Commerce. She can be contacted at hgallagher@tourismsmithers.com