Ft. Nelson Waiting for Word From Canfor

By 250 News

Fort Nelson, B.C. - There will be a lot of workers sitting on the edge of their seats this week, waiting to hear if Canfor will  accept the efforts being made to save the Tackama Plywood plant in Ft Nelson from indefinite closure.

Yesterday,  hundreds of members of the  northeastern B.C. community gathered at the  high schoool gym to get details  from the Provincial Ministry of Forest and Range on  their  proposal.

They asked for several things,  which, when combined  would trim millions from the operating costs of the  plywood plant which  employs 300 people.

Minister Coleman  made it clear, he is  sending out the message today that the point of appraisal  for  logs  will be Ft St. John,  That move alone will trim $1.5 million dollars. 

The workers are in agreement and  are in line to have their wages cut by 10%, a move that will cut  another $2 million.  Other measures, such as  changes to the BCTS  will also  save dollars.

It is now up to Canfor to make the final decision.   The efforts won't save the Polarboard OSB Plant, but  Coleman says the fortunes  of that plant could turn at any time. "If for instance there is a strong hurricane season, the demand for OSB will go up,  and that plant  could be finacially viable" 

The  threat of  job  losses for 22% of Ft. Nelson's  working population is already   having an impact on  real estate.

Ft. Nelson realtor, Bill Craddock, who owns and operates Fort Nelson Realty says the announcement Canfor would close its OSB and plywood plant in Ft Nelson had an immediate impact on the price of homes in that region. “The asking price dropped by about 15%” says Craddock “but there have been no sales, so prices haven’t been established.” He says it could be another 15 to 30% drop in asking price if the mills close indefinitely as is the plan.

“The gas and oil industry in the region has also slowed down” says Craddock. Fort Nelson is not alone when it comes to a down turn in the petroleum industry as drilling is down in other regions such as Ft St John and Dawson Creek.

The economic difficulties in Ft Nelson are also having an impact on that town’s plans to rebuild it’s curling and skating rink. The facility collapsed in April of 2007. Mayor Chris Morey says the town will go for plan B “Given the economic climate we can’t go ahead with a new facility and we are requesting the insurance company go ahead and rebuild the facility. They originally offered us $2.8 million dollars.”

It is hoped the town will hear word soon on the fate of the Tackama plywood plant. Loggers  were ready to head back to the bush as early as this morning if  the Canfor CEO  should say the  plant  has been  spared from  shut down.

Email | Print | Facebook | Twitter | Digg | Del.icio.us