South Peace Historical Society

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  • Table of Contents

    • Part 1: First Nations of the Peace River Region
    • Part 2: The Fur Trade Era
    • Part 3: Transportation and Communication
    • Part 4: Old Timers and the Price of Land
    • Part 5: Dawson Creek: The Story of the Community
    • Part 6: Mysteries, Adventures and Indian Legends
    • Part 7: Arts, Crafts and Recreation
    • Part 8: Agriculture
    • Part 9: Church Histories
    • Part 10: Schools
    • Part 11: Health Care
    • Part 12: Industries and Enterprises
    • Part 13: Policing the Peace
    • Part 14: Pouce Coupe, Rolla, and Other South Peace Communities
    • Part 15: Chetwynd and the Fort St. John Area
    • Part 16: The Alberta Peace
    • Part 17: Natural History of the Peace River Region
    • Part 18: Interviews with Old Timers
    • Part 19: Remembering Our Veterans

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12-006: Northern Papers Say Sawmill Confirmed

THE NEWS, Dawson Creek, B.C., Wednesday, March 12, 1969
The North Peace is definitely getting a $2 million sawmill. This was announced Tuesday afternoon by Malvinder Grewall, President and managing director of Commonwealth Papermills of Manitoba Ltd. and Commonwealth Lumber and Paper Mills of BC Ltd.

Grewall said in an interview with the Alaska Highway News that work will commence at a 140-acre site recently purchased in Taylor near the present Mighty Peace Grain Company elevators. Construction is slated to begin on or before May 1st, weather permitting.

During its construction the mill will employ approximately 30 men. Once finished, however, it will provide jobs for 150. It is due to be in operation by November 30th and Grewall said as many local men as possible will be hired.

During his visit this week to Fort St. John Grewall presented letters from Hon. Ray Williston, Minister of Lands and Forests, outlining timber potential in this area. The minister states that once work has commenced on the mill proceedings can begin on the sale of cutting rights for a five-year period. The mill will require eight million cubic feet of annual timber commitment. As one of the terms of its establishment, the mill had also agreed to sell its chips on a first refusal basis to Northwood Pulpmills of Prince George. This agreement, also on five-year term, is subject to revision whenever the market becomes such that it is feasible to establish a pulp mill in the Peace River Block.

It has, as well, a five-year lumber sale agreement with Balfour Guthrie (Canada Ltd.) who will act as its marketing agent. This agreement covers a production of 40 million board feet of lumber per year. On top of this, Grewall said the mill will be cutting an additional 10 million board feet per year for local consumption.

The timber units the sawmill is primarily interested in are the Peace River Sustained Yield Unit, about 30 miles west of Taylor and the Wapiti Block, about 35 miles south of Chetwynd. Grewall said the company will also be purchasing timber from all around the district and from private holders.

To house the mill’s key personnel home building sites have been purchased in Taylor and the firm plans on putting up some 15 company houses. Grewall, a 33-year-old businessman is the chief driving force behind the project.

 

« 12-005: Sawmills – The Story of the Olingers

12-007: E.J. Spinney Pioneers Trucking Freight to Fort Nelson »

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