Burns Lake Curling Club celebrates their 60 year anniversary
Published: January 25, 2012
Local resident and long time curling club member Bob Saul researched the history of the Burns Lake Curling Club for the Lakes District News edition of Jan. 2. 2002 to commemorate the club's 50 anniversary. Ten years later, the curling club is now celebrating their 60 anniversary.
Third year of losses reported for Burns Lake Comfor
Published: February 15, 2012
Comfor Management Services Ltd. (CMSL) annual report shows a net loss of $716,564. It is the third consecutive year the company has recorded a loss.
The report, released on Jan. 25, 2012 is a detailed account of the activities of all companies in the CMSL group, including the Burns Lake Community Forest Ltd. (BLComfor) and Sheraton Holdings Ltd., for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2011.
Included in the annual report is the company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year, which show a net loss of $716,564.
CMSL president Quentin Beach noted, "This is the third consecutive year that CMSL’s consolidated expenses have exceeded its combined corporate income."
The losses are attributed to the on going down turn in B.C.’s forest industry which are continuing to have a negative impact on CMSL and its subsidiaries.
A $2.4 million funding boost for the Tom Forsyth Memorial Arena expansion project
Published: April 11, 2012
Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad arrived at the Babine Forest Products employee breakfast last week bearing good news for Burns Lake.
As part of the ongoing community rebuilding effort, Rustad announced that the province is chipping in $2.4 million in funding to the approximate $3 million arena expansion project.
Dubbed the Lakes District multi sport facility expansion and healthy living project, it will see the existing Tom Forsyth Memorial Arena and the curling rink combined into a multi sport recreation facility.
As reported in the Lakes District News edition of Nov. 30, 2011, Village of Burns Lake mayor and council chose to proceed with the grant application offered by the Ministry of Community Sport and Cultural Development's community recreation program for the upgrades late last year.
As well as the $2.4 million grant from the province, $392,000 will come from the Village of Burns Lake's capital reserves and general revenue over a three year period, $113,000 from the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako, $40,000 from the Nechako Kitamaat Development Fund Society and $60,000 from Northern Development Initiative Trust.
Disgruntled Burns Lake Band members protect condemned home
Published: January 18, 2012
A home on Tibbetts Crescent on Burns Lake Band's reserve was due to be torn down last Friday.
According to Burns Lake Band member, Adam Tibbetts, Chief Albert Gerow, Coun. Dan George and Coun. Wesley Sam passed a band council resolution to tear down the house, despite knowing that he was living there.
Beverly Tibbetts, who had also previously lived in the home with the late Kelly Dennis said she is the rightful owner of the home and argues that the band does not have the right to make the decision to tear it down.
Beverly said she has not lived in the home since Dennis passed away late last year.
According to Burns Lake Band member, Sherry Tibbetts, when someone passes away it is customary not to remove or touch any of their belongings for one year.
John Charlie agreed, saying that after a year has passed the personal effects of the deceased are then burnt. “That’s our tradition, that’s how we deal with it,” he said.
Lakes District Hospital replacement given the green light
Published: April 13, 2012
A crowd of locals gathered at the Margaret Patrick Memorial Hall on Thursday, heard the long awaited news that the Lakes District Hospital replacement project was given the provincial thumbs up.
Amid loud applause and cheering, Health Minister Michael de Jong who arrived in Burns Lake to announce the project, said the procurement will begin this spring with construction expected to start in 2013 and be completed in 2015.
Premier Clark out of touch with the North
Published: January 18, 2012
Is the Office of the Premier out of touch with what’s happening in the North?
According to Village of Burns Lake Coun. Frank Varga and Mayor Luke Strimbold, improvements in communication need to be made.
The comments stem from a letter the village recently received from the Office of the Premier.
The letter, signed by Premier Christy Clark was addressed to Burns Lake’s past mayor Bernice Magee and discussed Magee’s health care concerns for the local area. Premier Clark also congratulated Magee on her recent reelection to the seat of mayor.
The letter was officially received by new mayor elect, Luke Strimbold during a council meeting last week.
In an embarrassing bungle, Premier Clark overlooked Mayor Strimbold’s Nov. 10, 2011 win at the polls. Not only was Magee not reelected, but she never joined the election race for the seat.
Burns Lake Tragedy Fund cheques flowing
Published: May 9, 2012
According to Burns Lake Tragedy Fund Society treasurer Jack Brown, approximately 184 direct payments from the fund have been made to Babine Forest Products sawmill employees to date.
“We have made the payments in four different increments, starting with those families who had someone pass away, those that were hospitalized as a result of the explosion and fire and then those that were on shift that night,” he said.
Bringing home the gold
Published: March 9, 2012
In Whistler, Six male snowboarders, five female boarders and three individual skiers attended the provincials representing LDSS, bringing home a provincial banner, championship titles and a haul of medals.
“This is remarkable achievement as we compete against all schools in British Columbia regardless of their ranking and we don’t have a ski hill [in Burns Lake],” Dube said.