Good weather has a way of lightening our mood and giving us a positive outlook on the world. Not that there isn’t always reason to be positive, but I swear I hear more complaints in the depths of February than I do this time of year.
After a long weekend of great weather, I found myself thinking about all the positive things happening in this community of ours.
First of all, beer! It’s been quiet on the local brewing front since Plan B Brewing closed down, but no longer. Bulkley Valley Brewing has been approved to open a brewery and lounge on First Avenue, and I know there are at least two other parties with micro-brewing schemes fermenting.
There are new developments on the food front, too. From Telly’s Grill on Fourth Avenue to Roadhouse Restaurant going in the old Winterland building, these are exciting times for Smithers foodies.
I just got back from the grand opening of the Suites at the Alpenhorn. Jeremy and Sascha have transformed the upstairs into six classy rental suites — an upscale nod to the former Bulkley Hotel and a nice addition to Main Street.
On the Town front, we’ve approved 24 grants for character signs and sign replacements for our downtown. The guys from Canyon Contracting have done a great job of prepping for the new Portland Loo, which arrives next month, and the new Second Avenue parking lot construction just went out to tender.
Farther afield, Pretivm is about to produce the first gold bars from its Brucejack project and the Red Chris Mine is now in production. The Kemess Underground Mine has its environmental certificate and seems to have a clear path ahead with solid involvement from First Nations. All three mines use our airport, employ local residents and use local suppliers.
Speaking of our airport, the tender for the general construction contract closed and we are awaiting word from staff on the bids. Groundbreaking for the terminal modernization is on track for this summer — a big, exciting project.
After over three years of planning and fundraising, the new off-leash dog park at Heritage Park is now open. I’m told it’s the cat’s — or rather, dog’s — pajamas. Kudos to the volunteers who spearheaded this project and raised the necessary funds. Right next door to it, the folks at Boarding for Brant have an ambitious skate park expansion in the works.
Smithers’ own Valley Youth Fiddlers just returned from a five-city tour of the province with their acclaimed show Alaria’s Fiddle, and Creative Roots just wrapped up four sold-out nights of its dance showcase. This July, 2,500 girl guides from around the world will be descending on Smithers for the SOAR (Spirit of Adventure Rendezvous). And in July the BV Concert Association has an exciting new dance and music series planned called “Walking Together.”
Our Smithers-Moricetown bus route got a head start with its launch earlier this year, and the rest of the new Highway 16 transit service starts later this month. It will include bus service between Smithers and Burns Lake for a $5 fare.
Business. Community. Arts and culture. There’s a lot happening on almost every front.
Of course there are challenges aplenty and things don’t always go the way we’d like them to (see Rosenthal Road). In the balance though, it’s easy to feel positive when so many cool things are happening. I’d like to thank everyone who contributes to making ours such a vibrant community.
P.S. There are more positive things than I can mention in a short column. Visit my Facebook page and help me complete the list.