Merritt Herald September 18 2025 by Merritt Herald

9-10

City of Merritt is considering other safety measures for Spirit Square.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2025

CLOSURE TALKS BEGIN FOR TWO MERRITT SCHOOLS

School District 58 votes to explore closing Central or Collettville to address falling enrolment and funding shortfalls

TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com

Nicola Similkameen School District (SD58) has officially passed a motion to explore the possibility of the closure of either Collettville Elementary or Merritt Central Elementary.

The motion marks the next step into the closure process and will allow the district to start having discussions with the community and rightsholders about the potential impacts the closure would have.

“The motion tonight isn’t to close the facility, it’s to start the discussion with the community about what are those potential options and what are the

SCHOOL DISTRICT: continued on page 3

FORESTRY WEEK

The Herald dives into the world of forests — exploring conservation, and some of the challenges of the forestry industry.

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

PUBLIC INPUT SOUGHT ON SCHOOL CLOSURE PLAN

risks,” SD58 Board Chair Gordon Swan said.

The decision to explore the possibility of a closure is being spurred by declining student enrolment across younger demographics within the district.

“You can see from Grade 12 and you work your way backwards, (the number of students) has been declining,” said Swan.

With the school board’s budget being dictated by the amount of students they are getting, declining enrolment means the district is losing money.

In May, declining enrolment forced the board to pass a budget containing cuts to various services.

Soon after it was discussed that a school closure would save $400,000 to $600,000 in annual operating costs,

which includes the position of a principal.

The students at one of either Merritt Central or Collettville Elementary would then be transferred to another institution, one likely being Diamondvale E lementary, which is currently at 47 per cent capacity.

With this motion passed, the board can now start having discussions on how the resources saved from the closure can be used.

For one, the board said that the money saved could go into more teaching or teaching support staff or into maintenance for old infrastructure.

that there will be three businesses set to open in Merritt within the next few years - such as Mako Furniture - that would see hundreds of job opportunities in Merritt open.

In a message to the Herald that was also presented to the board, Goetz argued this influx could bring 100 new students.

He said the city is “constantly” having talks of a new soccer pitch and a new baseball diamond.

“If they’re not sure on their numbers, there’s a very large risk to us.”

—

Gordon Swan, SD58 Board Chair

“With declining enrolment and the possibility for the board to invest up to half a million (dollars) or more annually, with the information we’re presented, I don’t think we have a choice not to consider this,” said SD58 Trustee Justin Jepsen.

“I’d like to go through that process and talk to our community and see how everyone feels when they’re presented with the same information.”

NVIT President and SD58 Trustee John Chenoweth also echoed this statement, saying the board will go through the process, “wholesomely.”

Merritt Mayor Mike Goetz also spoke at the Sept. 10 meeting, presenting his stance against closing a school, arguing

“We have more kids than facilities,” Goetz wrote. “So we need, as a city and a school board, to meet as soon as possible and go over our OCP (Official Community Plan) and growth strategies and formulate a plan based on all the information.”

Swan and the board were not entirely sure of the figures Goetz presented, with Swan saying that the risk of relying on a potential hundred new students in their budget is too large.

“If they’re not sure on their numbers, there’s a very large risk to us,” he said, saying the district will have a meeting with the city at a later date.

Community engagement on the closure is set to begin in October. A short question and answer document was released on the city’s website on Monday, Sept. 15 regarding some preliminary questions about the closure.

SCHOOL DISTRICT: continued from page 1

Downtown Merritt’s Central Elementary, the city’s oldest elementary school, is one of two facilities now under review for possible closure by SD58 trustees.

Police in Merritt have released this still showing a suspect as they investigate a weekend robbery.

OPEN HOUSE

POLICE HUNT FOR SUSPECT IN DOLLAR TREE ROBBERY

LAÍSA CONDÉ editor@merrittherald.com

Merritt RCMP are asking for the public’s help following an armed robbery at the Dollar Tree on Quilchena Avenue this past Saturday evening.

On Sept. 13, at approximately 5:58 p.m., an unknown male suspect entered the Dollar Tree at 2102 Quilchena Ave., brandishing a knife affixed to the end of a broom handle.

The suspect confronted a cashier at knifepoint before fleeing the store with an undisclosed amount of cash or goods.

The suspect is described as a skinny male, wearing a camouflage baseball cap featuring a skull with a soldier’s helmet, a dark navy hoodie, green gloves, and blue jeans.

He was reportedly carrying a black backpack and a blue bag at the time of the robbery. Witnesses last saw the suspect fleeing eastbound along Quilchena Avenue.

Merritt RCMP officers responded quickly, surrounding the area in an attempt to locate the suspect or any of his belongings. However, the search proved unsuccessful.

Police are now turning to the public for assistance.

“If you were in the area of the Dollar Tree on Saturday evening around 6 p.m. and happen to have dashcam or structure CCTV footage, we would really like to get that information from you,” Cst. Blake Chursinoff of the Merritt RCMP said.

“Additionally, if anyone happened to see this suspect or recognizes anything about him, please give us a phone call.”

Anyone with relevant information, video footage, or who may have seen a person matching the suspect’s description in the area at the time, is urged to contact Merritt RCMP.

The investigation is ongoing.

NATURAL GAS RATES HOLD STEADY

ROB GIBSON

Castanet

Good news for FortisBC customers. Gas rates will remain stable for the remainder of 2025.

FortisBC has received approval from the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) to maintain the cost of gas rates for its customers at $2.230 per gigajoule (GJ) as of October 1.

“We understand that energy costs are important for the families and businesses we serve across British C olumbia,” said Sarah Nelson, director of customer service.

The renewable natural gas rate for customers subscribed in the voluntary

designated RNG program will also stay the same at $9.23 per GJ.

According to Nelson, FortisBC acquires gas at market-based prices and FortisBC does not mark up the cost of gas, so its customers pay what it pays.

The BCUC reviews FortisBC’s cost of gas rates every three months and will review them again in December.

In order to help keep rates affordable, FortisBC says it purchases gas in the summer when prices are lower and stores it so that lower-cost gas is available to customers in winter months when prices are higher. Any surplus gas is then sold back to the market to offset costs.

Wednesday, September 24th, 2025 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM

WorkBC Centre Merritt

Learn about Customized Employment Services that support individuals with diverse-abilities in the workforce.

2099 Quilchena Avenue, Merritt, BC For more info: 250-378-5151 info-merritt@workbc.ca

Construction starts on the Highland Valley Copper Mine Life Extension project, boosting copper production and creating thousands of jobs.

HVC MINE EXPANSION BREAKS GROUND, EXTENDS LIFE TO 2046

TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com

Highland Valley Copper (HVC) Mine, the largest open pit operation in Canada, will only be getting bigger as the first steps to expansion have been completed. Called, the HVC Mine-Life Extension (MLE) Project, the expansion project will prolong copper and ore production in the mine until 2046 with an expected yield of over 132,000 tonnes of copper produced per year according to Teck.

B.C. Premier David Eby, along with other government officials, was on the HVC site last Thursday, Sept. 11 for a media conference on the opening stages of construction of the MLE project.

“At a time of a slowing global economy, when families are feeling the pinch around affordability, a project like this, the jobs, the high quality, high salary jobs, the economic growth that it brings, means that we are able to provide support for people across the province, but also the prosperity that all British Columbians deserve,” he said.

The capital investment on the project will be between $2.1 to $2.4 billion and is the “largest critical mineral investment in B.C. history and one of the largest ever in Canada,” according to Teck Resources CEO Jonathan Price.

The start of construction of the mine expansion is coming fresh off the heels

of a merger between mining Londonbased mining company Anglo American and one of the owner of HVC; Canadian mining giant Teck Resources.

Combined, the companies’ market capitalization is over $53 billion according to Reuters.

It is expected that around 2,900 jobs will be added by the construction phase of the expansion. Once operations are ongoing, 1,500 jobs at the mine are expected to be maintained, with the mine then expected to add another $500 million to provincial GDP.

Aside from consultation between Teck Resources and the Province for their assessment to provide their certificate for operation, First Nations were - and will be - heavily consulted during the planning process.

“Historically, the Nlaka’pamux have not benefited to the same extent, or had the opportunity to contribute their knowledge of the land in the decision making p rocess, and I’m grateful that we have now started down a different path, and while not perfect, this life extension project contributes to a new and more collaborative way of doing things,” Price said.

The provincial government consulted 17 First Nations who have stake in the HVC MLE. Of the nations, 10 gave their MINING continued on page 9

LINDA

Thank you for all your dedication and hard work you have put into your career over the past 24 years. You are a crucial asset to our team and business. May your retirement bring you endless weekends and all the relaxation you deserve!

NICOLA VALLEY VIEWPOINT

STAYING PRESENT WHEN LIFE FEELS LIKE TOO MUCH

BONNIE DIXON Healthy Conversations

When everything seems to be collapsing around you, it’s natural to feel swept up in fear or worry. Yet often the simplest way forward is to return to the present moment. Small actions can anchor you, creating space for calm even in chaos.

Start with your breath. A few slow inhales (4) hold, and exhale (6) signal to your body that it’s safe to soften. If you can, step outside for a short walk in the morning.

Allow the sun to reach your face. Notice the ground beneath your feet, the air against your skin—these are reminders that you are here, right now.

Practical comforts matter. Drink a glass of water with a tiny pinch of Himalayan Pink Salt . Eat a piece of fruit slowly, tasting its sweetness as if for the first time. Move your body gently~ stretch, dance, or flow through tai chi. If the budget allows a massage, foot reflexology treatment, a manicure. Even these simple choices can shift how you feel.

When your mind feels crowded, grab a journal and let the words spill out ~ it clears space inside. Add a splash of paint or doodle over the top to shift the mood. Call a friend and share your heart ~ you don’t have to carry it

HALF A CENTURY LATER, JAWS STILL

It’s hard to believe that it has been 50 years since Steven Spielberg’s Jaws first terrified audiences, forever altering the landscape of cinema.

Released on June 20, 1975, the film not only created the modern blockbuster but also instilled a primal fear of the ocean in an entire generation.

I am sure that when Jaws first hit theaters, no one could have predicted the cultural phenomenon it would become. Spielberg, then a relatively unknown director, faced significant challenges.

alone. Or send a quick note card by snail mail. Spreading a little goodness to others always lightens your own load.

Prayer, repeating a mantra, a spritz of aromatherapy like neroli, lavender, and listening to calming music like the soothing tones of a handpan are my favorites to help me create a sense of peace.

A cup of herbal tea, a swim, a few moments of tapping ( EFT) or quiet reflection - each one is a doorway back to presence. These aren’t luxuries; they are lifelines. Life’s storms don’t always pass quickly, but staying present helps you meet them with steadiness. Breath by breath, step by step, you can find your way through~stronger, calmer, and connected to the miracle of the moment.

BITES DEEP

The mechanical shark famously malfunctioned during filming, forcing the crew to work around it and often hide it from view.

This limitation turned out to be one of the movie’s greatest strengths. By minimizing the shark’s appearances, Spielberg tapped into a deeper fear—the fear of t he unknown.

The great white shark became less a creature of the deep and more a metaphor for the unseen dangers lurking just beneath the surface of our everyday lives.

The film’s influence transcends horror and thriller genres, though.

Jaws’ marketing campaign set a new standard for how movies were sold to the public, focusing on widespread advertising, exclusive theatrical releases, and massive merchandising.

This was the birth of the summer blockbuster era,

where anticipation for films like Star Wars and Indiana Jones would rival that of major sporting events.

The release of Jaws forever changed how Hollywood approached filmmaking, distribution, and audience engagement.

But the true legacy of Jaws lies in how it continues to resonate.

The iconic score by John Williams still sends shivers down spines, while the terror of being trapped at sea remains just as effective today as it did in 1975.

The movie is a cultural touchstone, a reminder of the magic of cinema when a masterful director, an unforgettable score, and a terrifying concept come together.

F ifty years on, Jaws still has the power to make us think twice before diving into the ocean—and more importantly, to remind us that sometimes, the most terrifying things are the ones we can’t see.

LETTERS to the Editor

MORE ACTION FROM THE GOVERNMENT ON WILDFIRE

Editor,

Great letter from Clarence Friesen last week regarding BC Wildfire Service.

Finally someone has said it like it is in the government BC Wildfire Service.

I have spent the last 60 years working in the forest industry both on the coast and the Interior, and I totally agree with Clarences letter of Sept 11.

In our industry if we had a fire on one of our tenures be it operational or lighting caused it was all hands and equipment on deck immediatley.

The same issue of a delayed response to the Glimpse Lake fire in 2021 resulted in a huge area of timber burnt and loss of homes and structures in Monte Lake, Paxton Valley and Westwold.

A contractor in the area had heavy equipment ready to go immediately, but because the ministry had to complete paper work the equipment sat for 2 days and the fire exploded due to lack of the ministry actions, with their own fire fighting equipment.

Clarence hit the nail on the head when he questioned the response to wildfires and the inability of senior leadership in the ministry forests to learn and accept change in their strategies.

They are totally set in their ways and procedures and refuse to learn and adapt.

To those of us that worked in the industry one thing was was drummed into us from day 1 about fire control is that you need to get at it with all have in the first 24 hours, those first hours and response are critical.

The people directing traffic in the BC Wildfire Service need to have a total and complete review of their actions and planning ability by someone other than government

– Dave Callas, Merritt, B.C.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUMMER STUDENTS

Editor,

On behalf of the Nicola Valley Community Arts Council, I’m writing to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for the three incredible young women we were fortunate enough to employ this summer through the Canada Summer Jobs Program.

At a time when we often hear negative stereotypes about Generation Z, these three students were a breath of fresh air. They were everything people say this generation is not: respectful, hardworking, and deeply dedicated. While the Arts Council provided guidance and a framework for their work, they took ownership of their projects with a level of initiative that was remarkable. They didn’t wait to be told what to do; they took the initiative and got things done. Their work has enriched our community in many ways. Some of their contributions are highly visible, such as Karianne Kroeker and Janelle Gage’s work on public art installations and the powerful Photovoice Project. Other efforts, while less public, were equally impactful, like Juliana Snee’s diligence in organizing and running our Crafty Kids Summer Camp. They tackled steep learning curves with grace and enthusiasm, proving their adaptability and commitment to a wide range of tasks.

A standout project was the Art in Motion program, a collaboration with the YMCA of B.C. and Literacy Merritt, spearheaded by Juliana Snee. It was our most successful summer art program to date.

These three amazing young women from Merritt are a testament to the talent and character of our local youth. They contributed to our arts community and dispelled the myth that this generation lacks drive. We are immensely proud of them and grateful for their contributions.

We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the City of Merritt, United Way, Red Cross, TNRD, and the Community Access Table for their continued support and collaboration.

– Mischelle Pierce, Merritt, B.C.

The Merritt Herald welcomes your letters, on any subject, addressed to the editor. Letters may be edited for length, taste and clarity. Please keep letters to 300 words or less. Email letters to: newsroom@merrittherald.com.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Do you feel your municipal government is as open with residents as it can be?

Have your say at merrittherald.com

WEEK’S QUESTION

Do you think the government is doing enough to prevent wildfires in forested areas?

A LOOK BACK

From the Herald archives

SEPTEMBER 1,

2016 AMBULANCE CHASE

A decommissioned ambulance, stolen from a BC Hydro substation in Logan Lake earlier this month, was spotted by police on Sunday, Aug. 28.

On Sunday, officers from the Logan Lake and Merritt RCMP detachments responded to a call regarding two suspicious vehicles near the Highland Valley Copper mine. As the Merritt RCMP were en route to the scene, they encountered the two vehicles on the road – a Ford pickup truck, and the stolen ambulance, explained Cpl. Brian Washbrook of the Logan Lake RCMP.

“When we got there, the pickup truck and the decommissioned ambulance that had been stolen a week prior, had departed. They were on Highway 97C coming up towards Merritt,” he explained. When Merritt officers attempted to pull over the vehicles, the pickup truck stopped, but the ambulance kept on going, added Washbrook.

Merritt RCMP pursued the vehicle until it reached Hope, at which point police abandoned the chase.

Lower Nicola GARLIC FESTIVAL

Annual Tax Sale

As per the Local Government Act (RSBC 2015) Part 16, Division 7, the following parcels of property shall be offered for sale by public auction unless the delinquent taxes with interest are paid by Monday, September 29, 2025.

If the amount of delinquent taxes, taxes in arrear and interest to the first day of the tax sale for which the parcel of land and the improvements are liable for sale are not paid before the annual tax sale, the City of Merritt will offer the property for sale by public auction at the time and place stated in this notice. If the property is sold at the annual tax sale, a right of redemption will remain in the owner or holder of the charge until the end of the redemption period. The City of Merritt makes no representation expressed or implied as to the condition or quality of the properties being offered for sale. Prospective purchasers are urged to make all necessary inquiries to municipal and other government departments, and in the case of strata lots to the strata corporation, to determine the existence of any bylaws, restriction, charges, or other conditions which may affect the value or sustainability of the property. Due diligence does not include trespassing on properties that may be available at the auction. Any person upon being declared the successful bidder must provide photo ID and immediately pay by cash or certified cheque a minimum of not less than the upset price. Failure to pay this amount will result in the property being offered for sale again. Purchase of a Tax Sale Property is subject to tax under the Property Tax Transfer Act on the fair market value of the property.

LIVE Music & Entertainment

By Jeff Wyatt, Cardboard Alley Productions

September 27 and 28, 2025

Saturday: 9 am - 5 pm and Sunday: 9 am - 3 pm

INDIGENOUS VOICES KEY IN HVC EXPANSION APPROVAL PROCESS

MINING continued from page 5

formal consent for the project with the other seven either reaching agreements outside the assessment process or having certain conditions modified in the required environmental assessment certificate.

Citxw Nlaka’pamux Association (CNA) - who represent eight bands - the Lower Nicola Indian Band and the Kanaka Bar Indian Band all issued letters of consent that the HVC MLE get their certificate.

The Nlaka’pamux Nation Tribal Council (NNTC) which holds the Oregon Jack Creek Indian Band, did not consent with the project but the Province said they reached an agreement outside of the dispute process.

The Stk’emlúpsemc te Secwépemc Nation’s (SSN) Joint Council did not issue their consent. In the province’s certificate, it states SSN will still be consulted o n mine operations.

The cumulative effects assessments found that these effects were “minor to negligible” to their Indigenous rights.

Concerns were also raised by CNA and LNIB regarding the potential environmental effects the project could bring, su ch as drought.

While HVC had their own framework to ensure those issues would not arise, the

province created a set of legally binding conditions that Teck and HVC must comply with throughout the lifetime of the HVC MLE project.

These conditions include the monitoring of water and air quality. There are 17 conditions that the project must comply with. These include plans to; mitigate the impact of activity on the surrounding watersheds, to avoid or reduce the loss of wetland habitat on riparian ecosystems. To reduce the impacts of Nlaka’pamux Nation food sovereignty, minimize light pollution and to avoid the impact of construction workers on the availability of accommodations in local communities.

“ The decision to extend the life of this mine is not simply just a technical or an economical one. It is a decision directly affecting our people, our lands and our future,” said Chief of Cook’s Ferry Indian Band Christine Walkem.

“For far too long, these decisions were made without us. It cannot continue. The Nlaka’pamux nation must have a say, not after decisions are made but before and throughout that process.”

Construction is expected to be ongoing until 2028.

ENTERTAINMENT

ALL DAY LONG SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

CASH CONCESSION: Saturday: 9 am - 4:30 pm and Sunday: 9 am - 2:30 pm

All proceeds help to support the Lower Nicola Community Hall.

SHOP, EXPLORE, AND CONNECT WITH OVER 90 VENDORS ON SITE.

Lower Nicola Garlic Festival

LOCATION: 2428 Aberdeen Road, Lower Nicola, BC

PHOTO/TY

The $2.1 to $2.4 billion Highland Valley Copper Mine Life Extension project is expected to add 2,900 construction jobs and maintain 1,500 permanent jobs once operational, boosting the B.C. economy.

COUNCIL MOVES TOWARD TOUGHER MEASURES AT SPIRIT SQUARE

TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com

The City of Merritt is once again looking at making security changes to Spirit Square after hearing reports of increased safety concerns.

“Reports indicate frequent trespass, vandalism, open defecation/urination, and disruptive behavior by various groups, impacting use of the space and surrounding properties,” City of Merritt’s Chief Administrative Officer Cynthia White wrote in a document to council.

After the motion to start enacting security measures at Spirit Square was tabled during a Sept. 9 regular council meeting, the city will be looking to develop and vote on a long-term security plan for Spirit Square ready to be discussed at the next council meeting.

Merritt Mayor Mike Goetz said taking action to make Spirit Square safer will not only be a short-term goal of the city, but is a necessary starting point before embarking on the long-term goal of revitalizing the downtown area.

“Downtown revitalization cannot go ahead until we get this one figured out,” Goetz said.

“With Spirit Square, people are terrified to go downtown and that is not acceptable.”

“We’ve got businesses … that are constantly complaining about problems,” Goetz said. “Interior Community Services like to use the gardens at the Community Policing Office building but they can’t use it because their clients are getting harassed the whole time they’re in there.”

Temporary fencing was previously erected around Spirit Square after council

took a tour of the downtown area in June.

Coun. Dana Egan, who owns the Grand Pub and Grill in the downtown area, said the fencing hasn’t helped.

“The temporary fencing, that didn’t stop them. They’re all still all sitting on the concrete bench,” she said.

Goetz, speaking with past experience about people congregating around a singular area and causing disturbances, said that the way to stop it is to remove the area’s infrastructure.

“If you make it uncomfortable enough, they will move onto another community that isn’t so,” he said.

Currently, the planning for security in Spirit Square will include permanent fencing, improved lighting and sight lines and further collaboration with community partners.

During the meeting, Coun. Wendy Charney expressed her hopes to get RCMP more involved.

White said this, and continuously moving loiteres at Spirit Square, would raise human rights issues.

“All we can do is try to be compassionate and find solutions that work in our community,” White said.

She suggested that the city support a hypothetical organization that has day-programming to keep them busy.

Council said many of the people they see congregating at Spirit Square are the same people each time.

“Realistically here, these are people who have decided that this is their life and this is the way they’re going to be,” Goetz said.

“It’s up to us to say that’s great, but do it somewhere else, you’re not doing it here.”

The City of Merritt plans new security measures for Spirit Square, including fencing and better lighting, due to rising safety concerns.

because many residents still have boats in the water, which would make testing easier.

“It would have been great to get that nutrient sampling rolling now,” she said.

The society’s ultimate goal is to slow the toxic algae blooms that have threatened Nicola Lake. While natural algae blooms are expected, toxic blooms are the concern.

“It was devastating to have dogs die or get very ill during the bloom,” Tomlinson recalled. “That urgency isn’t there for everyone anymore now that the water looks clear, but the problem hasn’t gone away.”

Since launching its membership campaign less than a week ago, the society has signed up more than 70 members and received several donations.

“We’ve had two corporate donations already, another community donation is

The ministry explained that level three testing is more complicated than previous testing methods. It requires special sampling kits, additional volunteer training, and shipping logistics, which have delayed the process.

While it won’t be possible to begin until next spring, the ministry emphasized that it continues to work closely with local part ners, including the Upper Nicola Band, Thompson-Nicola Regional District, and Interior Health to share information and raise public awareness.

Tomlinson expressed her frustration over the delay but remains hopeful about moving forward once the necessary training and equipment are in place.

“We’re still going to be doing it,” she said. LAKE continued on page 13

with director Darrell Dennis and actor Tyler Peters

With special guest Duane Marchand opening the show

Thank You!

MAJOR SPONSORS

Raemand Holdings

City Furniture

Empty Keg

Frank’s Mechanical Game On Sports

Good Beard Computers

Hub Electric

McDonald’s

Murray Motors

Subway

Yaki Joes

1st Annual Herb Lorenz Memorial Senior Men’s Open

The Tournament Committee and the Lorenz family extend their heartfelt thanks to the following individuals and businesses for their generosity and support.

• Black’s Pharmacy

• Bumper To Bumper

• City Furniture

• Hub Electric

• Left Field Cider

• Mr. Mikes

• Lordco Auto Parts

• Murray GM

• NAPA Auto Pro

• Nicola Valley Chainsaw

• Nicola Valley Sports

• A&W

• Boston Pizza

• Canco Merritt

• Chloe’s Diner

• Cocos Chicken and Sushi

• Coldwater Hotel

• Coldwater Pub

• Dairy Queen

• Empty Keg

• Game On Sports

• No Frills

• NV Tour Golf

• Olde Barley Market

• Pharmasave

• Purity Feed Co.

• Richie Brothers

• Dale Stoppler

• Telford Farms

• Tibar Construction

• Tournament Committee

• Hitchin Post

• Home Hardware

• Home Restaurant

• Johnny’s on the Rez

• Local Butcher

• Lower Niicola Meats

• Mandolins Bagel & Coffeehouse

• Mary Brown’s Chicken

• Mongo’s Grill

• Mr. Mikes

• Vic Newton

• Save On Foods

• Subway

• Superior Pizza

• Work N’ Play

• Yaki Joes

Thank you to all who participated, and to our incredible volunteers for making this year’s tournament a success.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN NEXT YEAR!

MONITORING DELAYED UNTIL SPRING

“The training will happen around March or April, and once the ice is off, we’ll start the testing. We’re still fired up and moving forward.”

Despite the setbacks, the ministry reassured the public that water quality is still being monitored. Staff have already collected data this year as part of the British Columbia Lakes Monitoring Network Program, and this data is available to the public on the ministry’s website.

The ministry also highlighted that while algae blooms are natural in all aquatic ecosystems, increasing nutrient levels— combined with a warming climate—can create conditions for larger algae blooms, some of which may be toxic to humans and animals.

The ministry encourages people to follow advisories when issued and avoid going into the water or ingesting water in lakes with algae blooms.

While the official testing program is on hold for now, Tomlinson remains committed to the cause and is optimistic about future collaboration with the Upper Nicola Band.

“We’re really grateful for the Upper Nicola Band’s openness and support,” she said.

“Their ongoing testing work is invaluable, and we’re excited to add our data to what they’ve already been doing.”

Looking ahead, the Guardians are also pursuing funding through grant applications with the Thompson-Nicola Regional District for new signage around the lake to educate the public about stewardship practices.

They are also seeking funding to hire a contract biologist to assist with interpreting results and guiding future projects.

“We’re still going strong,” Tomlinson said. “There’s been a little setback, but we’ll be ready to go when the training and equipment are available in the spring.”

More information on becoming a member is available at www.guardiansofnicola.ca.

GOLF CHAMPIONS CROWNED

LAÍSA CONDÉ newsroom@merrittherald.com

Merritt Golf and Country Club has announced the winners of its 2025 Ladies’ Club Championship, held Sunday, Sept. 7.

Diana Lorenz claimed the title of Low Gross Champion with an impressive round of 75. Kari Smith secured the Low Net Champion honours with a net score of 74.

PHOTO/MERRITT GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB Kari Smith (left) and Diana Lorenz (right) pose with the trophy.

LAKE continued from page 11

PHOTO/LAÍSA CONDÉ

Nicola Lake apears much more clear in this picture took on Sept. 3.

2 Rivers Remix Society gratefully acknowledges the ﬁnancial support of this project by the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, and the Vancouver Foundation.

NATIONAL FOREST WEEK

CAN B.C. BUILD AN INDUSTRY AROUND WILDFIRE MITIGATION?

to fight this every year.

industry setbacks be solved at once?

Six months ago, B.C. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar visited Merritt as part of his tour of the Interior.

Parmar’s tour was fueled by a need for British Columbians to develop a response to U.S. tariffs on Canadian lumber, as well as the need to strengthen the Province’s response to increased wildfire severity.

This year, hundreds of thousands of hectares of land have already been burned, with the number of hectares affected potentially being from 700,000 to 800,000.

The timing has put strain on an already struggling industry, so much so that battling these two external threats to the forestry industry are some of the Forests Ministry’s goals for the next three years.

The first goal is to put millions more of cubic metres of timber up for sale.

It will be a tough goal, especially with the Province’s timber supply forecast not projecting timber supply to turn in a positive direction until 2060.

One of B.C.’s most important sectors, both environmentally and economically, it is on the minds of municipalities and all levels of government to ask the question on how to manage this sector.

The forest industry has been attempting

For wildfires, the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) have adopted techniques, such as prescribed burnings, to try and mitigate the intense wildfire seasons.

Some players within the B.C. forestry sector have been trying out new ways to solve both problems at once.

One way is the more novel practice of harnessing the manpower of the logging industry.

Nick Reynolds is acting director of investigations at the BC Forest Practices Board (FPB), an independent watchdog for the province’s forestry activity.

He was involved in two recent special investigations from the FPB on wildfire mitigation, one involving areas the Province can better work on areas of Landscape Fire Management, and the other, investigating logging’s effect on wildfire risk reduction , as well as ways they can improve.

Using statistics from the BC Wildfire Service, Reynolds said around 2.1 million hectares of land are classified as having high or extreme risk of wildfire. He said that while it is not possible to treat the entirety of that, more area than what is covered now could be treated.

Currently, the forests ministry has a target of 7,500 hectares to be treated in the 2024-25 season.

LOGGERS: continued on page 16

PHOTO/ ERNIE MCIVOR.

Shulus Forest Enterprises crews burning fuel debris piles in Steffens Estates area;

LOGGERS FIGHTING FIRE

In a FPB report published in June, the FPB said there were 16,200 hectares of forest treated for WRR work from the years 2014 to 2023. During this period, 175,700 hectares were logged in these high-risk areas.

“Why don’t we use that engine and muscle (of the forestry industry) in a way that’s thoughtful and fits with our overall objectives of mitigating wildfire?” Reynolds said.

Wildfire risk reduction (WRR) work is often conducted in a few distinct ways, with the primary goal of reducing fuel to suppress fire intensity.

These are concepts called “landscape fire management” which builds wildfire resilience in the terrain.

Traditionally, WRR work has been done in order to create fuel breaks. Fuel break areas or low fuel corridors, are stretches that have had their debris manually cleaned and the amount of trees partially thinned, creating a buffer for the fire.

“You are implementing a fuel break, and that might be a shaded fuel break, where you have reduced the crown or canopy bulk density. You’ve reduced the number of trees so that a crown fire might drop to the ground, and reduced fine surface fuel loading to slow a fire and give suppression crews an anchor to fight it from,” Reynolds said.

Work like this is being conducted around the province. Locally, a fuel management project had recently been completed near Merritt, adjacent to Fox Farm and Lindsey Creek subdivisions.

The project, conducted by the Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corporation, took three years to fully plan and complete, treating 196 hectares of high-wildfire-risk area. The work consisted of both small ground crews to conduct detailed clean-up as well as the use of “conventional harvesting equipment” for canopy thinning.

This conventional work is being conducted alongside more-recently adopted techniques, such as the practice of prescribed and cultural burns.

The practice of prescribed burns was adopted in late 2023, and further pushed in 2024, when changes to the Wildfire Act allowed the BCWS to assist First Nations in prescribed and cultural burns.

These practices allow people to use fire to the landscape’s benefit, as the burning both reduces excess debris and fuel, as well as removes invasive species from the land.

Over the next three years, the forests ministry is planning to increase targets for both prescribed burns and the amount of hectares treated for wildfire resilience. However these increased targets are still only to a maximum of 10,150 treated hectares in 2028.

With the amount of logging that still occurs, Reynolds said that, yes, it is viable for loggers to transition into WRR work. Contracts to conduct WRR work provide financial benefit for the workers as well.

For example, the LNIBDC project was funded $544,425 by the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) for their two years of work.

FESBC is a funding platform that provides financial opportunities for local contractors and tenure holders to put their forest management ideas into action.

In terms of wildfire risk reduction, they’ve funded projects worth tens of thousands of dollars, all the way up to projects worth millions of dollars, such as the second part of the Anahim fuel break, led by Central Chilcotin Reforestation.

Jason Fisher, executive director of FESBC, told the Herald in an interview that through their funding platform, they’ve seen workers who’ve specialized in traditional logging take on WRR work.

“Certainly, we’re seeing that there are new entrants, or people transitioning away (from traditional logging), or expanding the services they offer from kind of more traditional logging practices to more partial harvesting or acquiring smaller equipment that’s better designed for the type of work that gets done in fuel treatments,” he said.

“A lot of the wildfire risk reduction work that is prescribed requires a great deal of manual labour, the availability of these crews can be a limiting factor on the amount of area that can be treated.”

This begs the question, if there’s potential for more WRR to be conducted on the landscape and it’s an economically viable option for forestry workers to take, why aren’t there more workers doing it?

Reynolds and Fisher both say the answer involves a few factors, boiling down to the fact that it’s an industry in its infancy.

“I think the biggest factor is that the work doesn’t pay for itself. If the work isn’t funded by government, it won’t be done. Another issue that we sometimes hear is that investing in new equipment can be prohibitively expensive, especially if you don’t have multiple years of work lined up for it,” Fisher said.

PROFITABLE MODEL NEEDED

As of now, funding for WRR work is funded by the government, using programs like FESBC.

FESBC has been allocated $30 million until 2027 to put towards WRR projects.

This means FESBC has to carefully weigh which projects to fund.

“We’re looking for projects that are going to be demonstrably effective,” Fisher said. “Because we’re using taxpayers dollars. We’re always mindful of whether the projects are cost effective.”

Reynolds said $30 million for organizations like FESBC is not enough to create incentive around more WRR work.

Still, he is realistic, saying there will never be enough money to fund the treatment of all high-risk areas and that WRR work will always need to be strategically placed.

“One hundred per cent, we need more (money). Doubling it would probably be a good start. But it’s also coupling it with the kind of industrial machinery of the province, which right now it’s largely decoupled from wildfire mitigation objectives,” he said.

Reynolds said there is a lack of cause for most players in the forest industry to participate in WRR work beyond the minimum.

In fact, an FPB report released in June found that around one-third of harvesting cutblocks either failed to meet abatement requirements or required further work to comply on time.

The report makes multiple recommendations to the province, one being increase the public accessibility of WRR plans between all levels and departments in government.

Reynolds said the government has already implemented a few measures within amendments of the Forest and Range Protection Act (FRPA) last year.

“(Amendments to FRPA) allows for government to develop objectives for wildfire. When government sets objectives for areas, and they tend to be place based objectives in B.C., all those land managers who are dealing with forest management have to abide by it for the most part.” He said that having objectives means that - no matter who the forest tenure holder is - WRR work and wildfire mitigation in regular forestry practices will be held to the same standard.

More than this, Reynolds said to be able to fully utilize the industry, it needs to become an economic driver.

“Going into a stand that’s 40 years old or younger, and doing pruning and surface

fuel maintenance is going to cost anywhere between $2,000 a hectare, up to $40,000 a hectare,” he said, saying much of the timber collected from these activities doesn’t have much value.

“A lot of this sort of work has to be subsidized Unless we adopt some very different models.”

One such model is called Forest Resilience Bonds, which have been used in the US. These bonds rely on private investors, such as insurance companies, to finance the initial work done on projects such as wildfire mitigation. The finances are then paid back by a fund from a pool of public sector bodies, such as a state or province, who would economically benefit from the work being completed - for example, forest resilience could save money on wildfire fighting expenditure - with a small profit for the private backer as well.

Through the organization Blue Forest, one such Forest Resilience Bond has been completed at the North Yuba Forest in California. Blue Forest states 72 jobs were sustained through the course of the project that covered over 6,000 hectares.

Another source of financial value, Fisher said, was to develop business that can take away biomass collected on these jobs and utilize it.

Fisher said - while not a business model yet - that the FESBC Comstock Long-term Fire Break project conducted south of Merritt is an example of how waste fibre can be utilized by bio-energy plants.

In their 2023 report on landscape fire management, the FPB said public trust is a key step to making these changes in the forestry industry.

For example, Reynolds said the FPB staff have seen different reactions to WRR work.

He said some communities were wary of WRR work near their homes due to the environmental stigma the forestry industry has.

On the other hand, he said there were other communities - particularly those that have been struck by wildfire - that have been more receptive of the work, with some saying that even more treatment should be conducted to mitigate wildfire risk.

“Some view wildfire risk reduction or restoration treatments as another excuse for licensees to harvest timber,” the 2023 FPB report read. “Public support is needed to successfully shift to managing for landscape resilience.”

Fisher is saying he’s seeing WRR work being more frequently adopted, especially with First Nations partners.

ASPEN PLANERS HALT OPERATIONS

LAÍSA CONDÉ newsroom@merrittherald.com

Aspen Planers has halted operations at its Merritt sawmill and planer facility for an undetermined period, citing what it calls a lack of available logs and rising costs that have made continued production unsustainable.

“ Simply put, our mill lacks logs,” said regional manager Surinder Momrath.

“Coincidentally, our Lillooet veneer plant has also curtailed operations for the same reason. These two closures are linked given that we source logs from both our Merritt and Lillooet forest licenses – and the saw logs are processed in Merritt while the plywood ‘peeler’ logs are processed in Lillooet.”

The company pointed to an inability to obtain cutting permits under its Annual Allowable Cut (AAC) from the Ministry of Forests.

Aspen Planers’ licenses provide for 490,000 cubic metres, but over the past two and a half years the company has only harvested 29 per cent of that amount.

Cutting permit approvals averaged 115,000 cubic metres per year – just 23 per cent of

the AAC.

“Obviously, it is not possible to run an efficient sawmill or veneer plant when permitting and subsequent harvesting is at a level of less than 30 per cent of a sustainable AAC as determined by the government’s Chief Forester,” Momrath said.

He says the shortage stems from provincial policy decisions, including Indigenous co-governance under DRIPA legislation and old growth conservation initiatives.

Momrath also cited high stumpage fees as a major factor, noting that fees charged in B.C. are roughly ten times higher than in Alberta, where mills continue to run at full capacity.

According to Momrath, B.C. has “plenty of timber available for harvesting” but log harvesting across the province is at 60 per cent of the sustainable AAC – the lowest level since the 1960s.

He says this suppressed level of timber harvesting, combined with costs, has left many mills unable to operate.

“These are very difficult times for forest PERMITS: continued on page 20

Aspen Planers mill in Merritt with a lack of logs from an arial perspective.

NO PERMITS, NO PAYCHEQUE

workers and forest communities,” Momrath said. “Many of our workers have already left Merritt to seek work elsewhere in order to support their families and pay their bills. These are also very difficult times for many of our contractors, suppliers, First Nations partners, customers, and the regional forest communities that rely on a healthy forest industry.”

A local resident, Guido D’Alessandro, a worker at Aspen Planers, spoke out about the direct impact on the community in a letter addressed to the B.C. Ministry of Forests and sent to the Herald on Aug. 28.

“I work for Aspen Planers in Merritt. I am proud of the work I do, and it is how I put food on my family’s table and keep a roof over our heads,” D’Alessandro said.

“Today, we were told that once the logs run out, the mill will shut down because logging permits have not been approved in time. That means I could soon be without a paycheque. Without that paycheque, I won’t be able to pay my mortgage, my bills, or provide for my children.”

D’Alessandro emphasized that this is not

just a personal issue, but one that affects hundreds of his co-workers and their families.

“This isn’t just about me – it’s about hundreds of my co-workers, and their families who depend on this mill. When the mill stops, the heart of our community stops. The stores, restaurants, and local businesses all feel it. People leave town because they can’t survive here without work,” D’Alessandro said.

He pointed to the broader challenges facing forestry in B.C., which is already grappling with high stumpage rates and reduced access to the land base.

“The last thing we need is our own government making it worse by dragging its feet on permits,” D’Alessandro added.

“I’m asking you, Minister Parmar, please act now. Speed up the approval process so we can keep working. We aren’t asking for special treatment – just for the chance to earn our living and take care of our families. Please don’t let bureaucratic delays destroy our livelihoods.”

Momrath noted that some of Aspen Planers’ long-term contractors have

THIS: continued on page 22

225,000 members in Canada and more than 800,000 members continent-wide.

Today, more than ever, working people need strong, effective unions.

United Steelworkers is here for you.

Local 1-417 is based out of Kamloops, BC. Our Local Union represents over 1,100 members in many industries including:

Sawmilling

Wood products manufacturing

Steel manufacturing

Recycling

Security

Trucking

Construction

Machining, and more.

B.C. V2B 1L7 Office: (250) 554-3167

PERMITS: continued from page 20

already shifted operations to Alberta, where fibre supply and pricing have allowed mills to maintain production.

Government support has been “minimal, if any,” since the shutdown, according to Momrath, and broader policy choices have created a climate of uncertainty for producers.

He also pointed to declining timber sales through BC Timber Sales, which has dropped from nearly 12 million cubic metres in 2019 to about four million in each of the past three years.

“The policy changes and increased regulatory complexity over the past few years has largely deindustrialized the B.C. forest industry,” Momrath said.

“The business conditions for forestry in B.C. are neither

sustainable nor supportive of significant investments. Alberta’s industry sustainability speaks for itself, as it continues to operate at full capacity.”

Momrath said its current approach is “one day at a time” with no long-term outlook for Merritt’s operations.

“To our employees, contractors, First Nations and union partners, suppliers, we have done all we could to preserve their livelihoods but we seem to have met insurmountable, fast-changing, and unstable policy obstructions,” he stated.

“This is heartbreaking for our family company, and we are deeply sorry that we could not do more to continue to support jobs and communities.”

HOW CAN COMMUNITY FORESTS SUPPORT FORESTRY INDUSTRY

TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com

As the forestry industry continues to take hits, there may be opportunity for local governments to take ownership and responsibility of their own forest.

Community forests are forestry operations located close to communities, giving the local people an opportunity to manage the sector with their own value.

There are over 60 community forests right now in B.C. with the nearest one in Merritt being located in Logan Lake.

Merritt’s previous mayor, Linda Brown, was even open to the idea of applying for a community forest after a SILGA presentation on the matter in 2019.

The BC Community Forests Association (BCCFA) states forestry and logging jobs are

easier to come by than elsewhere in the industry.

They say that community forests on average have a 107 per cent greater employment rate than the industry average, with 0.56 full-time jobs created per 1,000 cubic metres of forest.

In a time when the general forestry industry is struggling, the Herald sent questions to BCCFA Executive Director Jennifer Gunter to answer how community forests operate differently.

Gunter emphasised that community forests succeed primarily due to their connection with the local community.

“Community forests must operate as financially sound organizations, but a community-led businesses with no outside shareholders demanding profit, they have the ability to

LOCAL: continued on page 23

PHOTO/

Community forests have cycled an average of $2.2 million back into their communities annually according to the BCCFA.

LOCAL CONNECTIONS MATTER

manage for a broad range of values, including but not limited to economics. Profits are reinvested locally, so financial returns circulate within the community rather than being exported elsewhere,” she wrote.

“Community forests prioritize contracts with local operators and small businesses, ensuring that jobs and income stay within the community. They often make business decisions with the goal of keeping their crews working, as we saw during COVID. For example, after a wildfire, one community forest undertook salvage operations through the winter—not for profit, but simply to keep its crew employed, even if it meant breaking even or taking a small loss.”

Gunter said the mentality of making local connections applies to working with First Nations as well.

The BCCFA state that over half of their tenures and held in partnership with First Nations.

“Strong partnerships with First Nations and local communities are central to the community forest model. By co-managing forests, hiring Indigenous and local contractors, and creating governance structures that include Indigenous representatives, community forests expand participation in the forest economy. This inclusivity leads to more training opportunities, contracts for small businesses, and shared decision-making that sustains

long-term relationships and steady employment,” Gunter wrote.

Working with First Nations can lead to a more efficient permitting process as well. While cutting permits from the B.C. Ministry of Forests are mandatory to operate in community forests, and plans have to follow the Forest and Range Practices Act, Gunter said maintaining and involving First Nations relations in the decision process often leads to less better outcomes.

“Because community forests are community-driven and maintain strong local relationships with First Nations, as well as having cultivated broader social licence within their communities, their operations often benefit from strong support and fewer conflicts than other tenure arrangements,” she wrote.

Gunter said community forests often take on more diverse sets of work to supplement their main income of selling high-value logs.

“Diversification can contribute to the success of community forests. Beyond log sales, some generate revenue through operation of their own small mill and firefighting or wildfire risk reduction contracts, and for one, even carbon credits. These activities not only provide additional income but also build community resilience, create local employment, and demonstrate the full range of benefits that forests can provide when managed locally.”

NEW OWNERS FOR PRINCETON MILL

LAÍSA CONDÉ newsroom@merrittherald.com

A Princeton lumber mill is under new ownership as the Gorman Group finalizes its purchase from its former company.

Weyerhaeuser Company has finalized the sale of its lumber mill in Princeton, British Columbia, to the Gorman Group, a familyowned forestry company based in Southern B.C.

The transaction, first announced in May, also includes Weyerhaeuser’s associated British Columbia timber licenses.

Those licenses will transfer separately over the coming months, subject to regulatory review and customary closing conditions.

Weyerhaeuser reported receiving approximately $60 million USD from the sale of the Princeton facility, with the remainder of proceeds tied to the pending transfer of the timber licenses.

The company said it expects to recognize a gain on the transaction but will also incur a tax liability of about $11 million USD.

Founded in 1900, Weyerhaeuser is one of the world’s largest private owners of timberlands, managing about 10.4 million acres in the United States and additional lands in Canada under long-term licenses.

The company, which operates as a real estate investment trust, generated $7.1 billion in net sales in 2024 and employs roughly 9,400 people worldwide.

The buyer, the Gorman Group, was established in 1951 and operates sawmills, a plywood plant, remanufacturing plants, and a pole plant in Southern British Columbia and northern Washington state.

The company employs around 900 people and is recognized globally for producing high-value lumber products for the home finishing and renovation markets.

MERRITT FOREST COMMITTEE

in partnership with Princeton

GRADE 5 TREE PLANT:

May 12 – 16, 2025

Building Stronger Communities

STUWIX RESOURCES JOINT VENTURE

The Merritt Forest Week Committee, which consists of the Ministry of Forests, B.C. Wildfire Service, Stuwix Resources Joint Venture, Weyerhaeuser Company Ltd. and Aspen Planers Ltd., held the Annual Grade 5 Tree Plant at Lundbom Lake (Merritt) and the China Ridge area (Princeton). In addition to tree planting, the event also had stations where the students learned about aquatic invertebrates, wildfire fighting equipment, and drone technology. Thank you to our sponsors for the donation of seedlings.

2025 Poster contest : The theme this year for the poster contest was Two-eyed Seeing: Welcoming all knowledge to sustain our forests.

Vermillion Forks (Princeton)

1st place - MJ Wolbeck

HM - Elliana Schneider

HM - Brenden Antonick

Collettville Elementary

1st place - Beck Willms

HM - Imroz Kaur Brar

HM - Fionna Celella-Werrun

Nicola Canford

HM - Mackenna Forman

2025 Photo Contest

To celebrate National Forest Week, the Merritt Forest Week Committee is inviting you to participate in our photo contest. The contest will run through the duration of National Forest Week (September 21-27, 2025).

Rules: Pictures must be taken between September 21 and September 27, 2025. Contest is open to residents within the Merritt timber supply area (Merritt and Princeton areas). Photos submitted must highlight local forests/trees. Contest winners will receive a gift card and a special feature of their photograph in Merritt Forest Week Facebook page. The committee will have the rights to use the photograph. Two different age categories – Youth (17 and Under), Adult (18+). Prizes: Gift cards - 1 X $100 Adult, 2 X $50 for youth.

How to Enter: Entries are to be a digital photograph (JPEG or PNG) and submitted electronically by email to Andrea.Inwards@gov.bc.ca . Entries must be received by September 29, 2025, at 9:00 am Submissions must include: Digital photograph (JPEG or PNG) highlighting local forests/trees in both raw and edited format. Photographer name, contact information and age category (Youth or Adult) Short caption describing the photograph, including the location of where it was taken.

Mackenna Forman - HMImroz Kaur Brar_HMElliana_Schneider_HM

Brenden Antonick_HM

Beck Willms_First Fionna_Celella-Werrun_HM

NICOLA VALLEY SPORTS

NEW BEACH VOLLEYBALL COURTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT LOGAN LAKE’S MAGGS PARK

LAÍSA CONDÉ

editor@merrittherald.com

Logan Lakers itching to play some beach volleyball will soon have a new place to do it.

Construction has officially begun on two brand-new beach volleyball courts at Maggs Park, and the courts are expected to be ready for use in a couple of weeks.

The project, which is part of Logan Lake’s ongoing efforts to improve recreational spaces, comes after growing demand for outdoor volleyball facilities.

The request for the new courts was first brought to council in 2024 by the Logan Lake Volleyball Club, whose members had been playing indoor volleyball at local venues like the Logan Lake Secondary School gymnasium.

“They started playing indoor volleyball in 2022, and by 2024, their group had grown to 43 people. They’d gone to regional entities like Kamloops to play some tournaments and it was when they realized that there was no outdoor nets available in Logan Lake,” Laurel Grimm, director of corporate affairs at District of Logan Lake, said.

In addition to the club’s efforts, volleyball tournaments were also being organized for events like Canada Day, which attracted many youth players.

“This growing enthusiasm highlighted the need,” Grimm added. “And that letter from the club came to council, which then referred it to our Youth and Community

Services

Committee.”

The committee reviewed the request, consulted with user groups, and identified what facilities were needed. After reviewing potential locations and costs, it recommended moving forward with the project.

The budget for the installation was $28,000, according to Grimm.

The new courts are part of a larger initiative to make the park a hub for community activities, following improvements like the recent expansion of the local skateboard park and campground.

Grimm said this ties into a wider revitalization effort for the area.

“There have been some different studies and surveys that have gone out in the past couple years,” she said. “In 2023, the Logan Lake Health, Wellness and Youth Society did a survey on what sorts of facilities were needed, and volleyball courts were identified there as well. It’s something youth in the community really wanted to see.”

The courts will be available for public use, weather permitting, on a first-come, first-serve basis for now.

“We’re anticipating that the courts should be ready in the next couple of weeks,” Grimm said. “We’ll also be offering volleyballs that people can sign out at the visitor centre or recreation centre. They’ll be on a first-come, first-serve basis, as we don’t have bookings at this time.”

She added that the Logan Lake Volleyball Club remains active and can be found on

Facebook, where people can sign up for events or get more information. The group also organizes tournaments throughout the year.

In terms of maintenance, Grimm anticipates that the courts will require little upkeep.

“They are putting a liner down underneath the sand, so they’re digging down a foot, putting a very thick commercial grade landscaping liner down underneath, and

then the sand on the top,” she said. “Hopefully that’ll eliminate weed growth and things like that.”

As with other recreational upgrades, Grimm emphasized that the goal is to enhance community wellness and engagement.

“I think we’re very excited to see some additional amenities being built in our community,” she said.

PHOTO/DISTRICT OF LOGAN LAKE

Construction crews break ground on two new beach volleyball courts at Maggs Park in Logan Lake.

LITTLE BRITCHES EVENT WRANGLES

PHOTOS/LAÍSA CONDÉ

Little Britches competitors showcased their skills and grit

community spirit

gathered to cheer on local cowboys and cowgirls in a true celebration of western heritage.

CENTS END PRESEASON WITH 3-2 RECORD, REFLECT ON PROGRESS

LAÍSA CONDÉ newsroom@merrittherald.com

The Merritt Centennials had a rollercoaster of a week, facing tough opponents on the road and at home in their three-game stretch.

Thursday, Sept. 11 – Merritt

Centennials 2 – Revelstoke Grizzlies 7

The Merritt Centennials kicked off their three-game week with a tough 7-2 loss to the Revelstoke Grizzlies on Sept. 11.

The Grizzlies wasted no time asserting themselves at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena, opening the scoring just over six minutes into the first period.

Merritt quickly responded, with Troy Horn netting his third goal of the preseason to tie the game. However, Revelstoke regained the lead in the final minutes of the opening frame, ending the period ahead 2-1.

The second period was tightly contested, with Merritt recording 10 shots on goal and Revelstoke slightly ahead with 12.

The Grizzlies extended their lead early in the period when Jake Baker scored, making it 3-1. They added another goal shortly after, pushing their advantage to 4-1.

Zach King briefly gave the Centennials a glimmer of hope with a goal of his own, but that would be Merritt’s final tally of the night. Less than 30 seconds later, Revelstoke responded with a fifth goal to take a 5-2 lead into the final frame.

The Grizzlies capitalized on the Centennials’ penalty trouble in the third period, with Dayton Abbott and Jake Baker both scoring unanswered goals to complete their respective hat tricks.

The Merritt Centennials fell 7-2 to the Revelstoke Grizzlies, a tough start to their three-game week.

Friday, Sept. 12 – Merritt Centennials 3 - Kamloops Storm 5

The Merritt Centennials suffered a tough 5-3 loss to the Kamloops Storm on Friday, Sept. 12, at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.

The game was an offensive rollercoaster, with both teams exchanging goals early and often.

Merritt came out fast with Lachlan Hanton scoring just 1:29 into the game, giving the Centennials the early lead.

Kamloops quickly responded with Luca D’Amore’s goal at 4:35, tying things up. Merritt regained the lead on a power play just 27 seconds later, as Soren Nicol made it 2-1.

However, the Storm answered right back. Carter Biggs tied the game at 6:41, and Kuy Schmirler gave Kamloops their first lead of

the game, putting them up 3-2.

The second period saw Merritt generate more chances, outshooting Kamloops 13-6, but the Storm still found a way to extend their lead.

Noah Paulsen scored at 14:27, making it 4-2 for Kamloops.

Despite a strong push from Merritt in the third period, it was Kamloops who struck again with Hudson Clarke’s goal at 2:54, making it 5-2.

Merritt added a late goal, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Kamloops’ early dominance.

The Merritt Centennials fell 5-3, with the Kamloops Storm controlling most of the play despite a solid effort from Merritt.

Sunday, Sept. 14 – Merritt

Centennials 3 - Princeton Posse 1

Looking to bounce back, the Merritt Centennials delivered a disciplined and opportunistic performance on Sunday afternoon in Princeton, skating away with a 3-1 win over the Princeton Posse.

Merritt had to dig deep to pull out the victory, especially as Princeton was on the attack for much of the game.

The first period saw both teams unable to find the back of the net, despite Princeton holding a 12-7 shot advantage.

The Centennials’ defense stood firm, and goaltender Sam Saskiw was sharp in net to keep the game scoreless, turning away all 12 shots he faced to keep things scoreless heading into the second.

Merritt capitalized on the man advantage midway through the second, as Brando Purinton scored a power play goal at 6:57 to give the Centennials a 1-0 lead.

Once again, Princeton dominated the shot clock with 23 shots to Merritt’s 10, but couldn’t beat Saskiw.

In the third period, Noah Lawless gave Merritt some breathing room, scoring at 15:19 to make it 2-0.

Princeton answered quickly with a power play goal by Bryton Morrow at 16:39, cutting the lead in half and applying late pressure.

With the Posse net empty and time winding down, Lawless struck again — this time short-handed — potting his second of the night into the open cage at 19:42 to seal the 3-1 win.

On the right track

As the Merritt Centennials wrap up their preseason slate with a 3-2 record, Head Coach Wes McLeod and General Manager Brad Anstey sat down with The Herald to reflect on the team’s performance, roster decisions, and the direction heading into the regular season.

“What stood out to me the most was the

The Merritt Centennials wrapped up a challenging three-game preseason stretch with a hardfought win over the Princeton Posse, finishing with a 3-2 record as they gear up for the regular season.

competitiveness of the games,” McLeod said. “Especially against Revelstoke and both games against Kamloops. Very good level of competition out there. Guys were fighting for jobs, so that was good to see. And I think we’ve gotten better as the preseason has gone on.”

For Anstey, the most telling part of the preseason wasn’t just the scoreboard, but what it revealed about the team’s identity.

“It actually showed us the character of our team, our compete level,” he said.

“As the preseason went on, it kind of separated some guys and helped us make those final roster decisions. Compared to this time last year, I think we’re a strong step forward. We’ve still got a couple more pieces to fill, but we’re on the right track.”

More than just exhibition games

Merritt’s preseason included wins against Osoyoos, Kamloops, and Princeton, while their two losses came at the hands of the Revelstoke Grizzlies and Kamloops Storm — both expected to be strong contenders this season.

But beyond the results, the matchups offered valuable insight into how the Centennials stack up.

“That game against Revelstoke really showed us we’re bringing in the right guys to be competitive come playoff time,” said Anstey. “Last year, we built a team to be competitive and set a foundation. Now we’re

building a team to win a championship.”

“It absolutely reminded us how tough this league is going to be,” he added. “Especially when it comes to playoff hockey. This year’s team has that structure, physicality, and compete level you need to win when it matters most.”

A team built for Merritt McLeod emphasized that this year’s roster is more than just about skill — it’s about building a team that reflects the community’s values and the organization’s identity.

“It’s about bringing in the right players that match our identity — the identity we want to play with,” he explained. “That series against Revelstoke last year showed us we needed more toughness and size. We’ve brought in guys who are better in those tougher environments.”

The Centennials have never won a BCHL championship in the franchise’s 50+ year history, something both McLeod and Anstey are keenly aware of.

“This program has had some very successful seasons, but never that final piece,” McLeod said. “It’s our goal to bring a championship here to Merritt. The people deserve it. The community deserves it. And our players — the way they’ve been working — they deserve it. We’re going to do everything we can to build that team for Merritt.”

NICOLA VALLEY COMMUNITY

INDIGENOUS-LED KINGSVALE LINE HITS MAJOR MILESTONE

LAÍSA CONDÉ editor@merrittherald.com

In a milestone for Indigenous-led infrastructure development, the Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corporation (LNIBDC) and EPCOR Utilities Inc. (EPCOR) are celebrating their partnership in operation the Kingsvale Transmission Line.

Now entering its fourth quarter of operation, the partnership stands as an example of Indigenous-led infrastructure development and value of long-term collaboration between First Nations and industry.

Majority-owned by LNIBDC, with EPCOR holding a 45 per cent minority stake, Shulus Electricity Transmission LP is responsible for the 24-kilometre, 138-kilovolt transmission line that connects the Trans Mountain Kingsvale pump station to the BC Hydro electrical grid. The line plays a critical role in B.C.’s energy infrastructure, particularly as demand for clean and reliable electricity continues to rise.

Chief Stu Jackson of the Lower Nicola Indian Band celebrated this milestone.

“This project reflects our Nation’s vision for economic independence and infrastructure leadership,” he said. “We are proud to be primary owners of the Kingsvale Transmission Line and to demonstrate what Indigenous-led development can achieve.”

Constructed across a challenging stretch of terrain in

the Southern Interior of B.C., the Kingsvale Transmission Line is more than just a piece of critical infrastructure, it is also a symbol of economic empowerment, self-determination, and shared governance.

John Elford, president and CEO of EPCOR, highlighted the broader significance of the collaboration.

“This partnership is a symbol of what’s possible when Indigenous communities and industry come together with shared purpose and mutual respect,” he said.

“From the outset of this partnership, we’ve seen firsthand how strong relationships and aligned values can drive meaningful outcomes for communities, for infrastructure and the future.”

EPCOR joined the partnership in late 2024, acquiring its interest from Valard Construction, the original developer of the line.

Since then, EPCOR and LNIBDC have worked side by side, ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the line while embedding community values into decision-making and long-term planning.

The success of Shulus has already drawn attention as a model for future Indigenous-led energy and infrastructure projects in Canada and beyond.

With a focus on operational excellence, sustainability, and community impact, the LNIBDC–EPCOR alliance is demonstrating how inclusive partnerships can redefine infrastructure development.

Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corp. will own and operate the new Kingsvale Electricity Transmission Line

■ Approved mini-storage

■ On-siterentals

■ Secured

■ SaleofNew&Used storagecontainers

1750HillStreet ■ Phone:250-315-3000

THE CHURCHES OF MERRITT WELCOME YOU

Crossroads Community Church 2990 Voght St. • 250-378-2911

Service Time: Sundays 10:00 a.m.

Merritt Baptist Church

2499 Coutlee Avenue (at Orme) Sunday service 10 am, Phone (250)378-2464

Merritt Lutheran Fellowship in St. Michael's Anglican Hall • 250-378-9899

Service Time: 3rd Sunday each month 1:30 p.m.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church Corner of Jackson & Blair • 250-378-2919

Mass Time: Sundays 9:00 a.m.

St. Michael’s Anglican Church

1990 Chapman St. • 250-378-3772

Service Times: 2nd and 4th Sundays only - 10:00 a.m.

Trinity United Church Corner of Quilchena & Chapman • 250-378-5735

Service Time every Sunday - 10 am

Somang Mission Community Church (SMC) 1755 Coldwater Ave. (The Cadet Hall) Sunday Service Time: 4:00 pm • 250-280-1268

Nicola Valley Evangelical Free Church 1950 Maxwell St. • 250-378-9502 Service Times: Sunday 10 am

Motion Church Merritt

Opening Service: Sunday Sept 21 - 10am Coquihalla Middle School (2975 Clapperton Ave) www.wearemotionchurch.ca/merritt

PHOTO/TRANSMOUNTAIN

CLASSIFIEDS

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sandra Ethel Sherwin

Decemb er 11, 1947 - August 28, 2025

Mrs. Sandra Ethel Sherwin passed away peacefully in Kamloops on August 28th at age of 77 years.

She was born on December 11th, 1947.

Survived by her loving husband Roy Sherwin of Merritt, B.C., daughter-in-law Wendy Sherwin Briscoe and grandson Conner Sherwin of Chilliwack, B.C., brother Carl Ulriksen, Sisters Pauline (Dennis) Sherwin, Helene Brown and many nieces and nephews that loved her deeply.

Sandra is predeceased by her 2 sons Devin and Troy.

No formal service will be held by her request.

Begun

Don’t think of

Think how

That

How

And

Under the terms of the Warehouseman’s Lien Act, Goods and Personal Property of the persons listed below deposited at Secure-All Merritt Mini and RV Storage, 1295 Midday Valley Road, Merritt, B.C. have been seized due to non-payment of storage rent and will be sold to cover the costs of unpaid storage. These goods and personal property will be sold at a date still to be determined.

Dodds AUCTION AUC TION

Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a Sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes.

PUZZLE ANSWERS ON SEPARATE PAGE

p B i n s , O u td o o r Ta n k C ag e, Tr u c k B oxe s , u n

Fo r k l i f t S n ow B l ad e, Pl u s M o r e!!

V i ew ing: 1 D ay