Prince George-  Lakeland Mills will be re-starting its planer mill on Monday, May 28 for approximately six weeks. The decision to re-start the mill was made in order to process the inventory remaining on the Lakeland Mills site following the tragic explosion and fire at the sawmill on April 23.

“I’m happy to be able to say this temporary resumption of activities will allow 22 of our employees to get back to work, even if it is for a short period of time,” said Greg Stewart, president of Sinclar Group Forest Products, of which Lakeland is a division.

There is enough lumber to keep the planer mill running for approximately 30 shifts – or one shift per day for six weeks. No decisions have been made on the longer-term future of Lakeland’s operations.

“As we have said before, the conditions are good to support a positive decision about whether we will be able to rebuild the sawmill,” said Stewart. “We continue to believe we have the best group of employees in the industry and the business conditions to make us optimistic about the future.”

The Lakeland sawmill was destroyed in an explosion and fire on April 23 that tragically claimed the lives of Alan Little and Glenn Roche, two valued Lakeland employees. Another 22 employees were injured in the incident. Two remain in hospital.

Lakeland Mills continues to deal with the issues related to the explosion, including allowing the WorksafeBC investigation to proceed, and focusing on the health and well-being of all Lakeland employees.

“We are doing what we can to ensure our employees get all the support they need,” said Stewart. “To that end we want to thank the people of Northern BC and from around the world for the generosity they have shown in the outpouring of support for Lakeland employees and their families.”