Castlegar News 1989 Review, April 16, 1989 Castlegar News 1989 Review, April 16, 1989 TOP FLIGHT- a 4) A message from the publisher What you are reading today is something of a milestone the 10th anniversary of our annual Recreation, Education, Business pnd In dustry Review, better known as the Progress Edition, of the Castlegar News. The publication of this special edition is a major undertaking, but it allows us to step back from the day-to-day job of reporting the news both good and. bad and focus on the positive things that are happening in the West Kootenay There's no question that the last 10 years have seen some tough times. But there is op- timism in the air as 1989 progresses that the West Kootenay has successfully battled the recession — some would say depression — of the early 1980s We have a sound base to build on. For example, Cominco's $150 million lead smelter modernization project that created more than 200 jobs and secured the future for thousands of workers; the $2 mittion expansion of the Castlegar airport which allows that facility to better serve the entire region; and the rebirth of the former David Thompson University Centre in Nelson as the new Canadian International College, a post secondary stop for 250 Japanese students As the 1980s draw to a close, there is a growing optimism that the West Kootenay is emerging into a decade of new prosperity that could redefine the area's identity. Among the projects in the works or about to start © Castlegar’s new $2:2 mittion aquatic-cen- tre-which-will-provide-work for-dozens-of con —- struction workers and will be a centrepiece for recreation in the area © A $4.9 million, 60-bed long-term care facility for the Castlegar and District Hospital slated to begin this fall © A new $2.6 million intermediate care home for the elderly in Castlegar © As well, the city’s business and gover- nment leaders hope for an announcement shor tly of an expansion to Celgar Pulp Co.'s mill in Castlegar which would secure that company's place in the pulp market. And there is still op timism that B.C. Hydro will decide to pursue its power generation project at the Hugh Keenleyside dam But those are just the major projects There are also scores of hard-working people operating smaller businesses in the area While it is impossible to feature all of them in the Review, the ones we do present are representative of the aggressive and BURT CAMPBELL .-.- publisher progressive business peopte—and-individuels who-make—the—communities—in—_the—West Kootenay vibrant and exciting places to live and work. They believe in the area and its possibilities. 2 We at the Castlegar News are proud of the achievements of these people and to be part of the growing optimism in the West Kootenay. We hope that you will also see the op- timism that shines through in the following pages and that you, too, will get caught up in the new confident and enthusiastic spirit that is spreading through the region Y / Cyt (rye BURT CAMPBELL Publisher TIME TOFLY... Dale Niels tra Aviation at the C. ii opportunities for pilots have never been bette: Adastra offers training for pilots Now is the time to fly for pleasure or a career, says. Dale Nielsen, manager of Adastra Aviation Ltd. at the Castlegar-air~ port The career opportunities for pilots has never been better, he says. The commuter airlines are expanding rapidly, causing a shor- tage of fixed-wing pilots which is expected to last for the next few years, Helicopter companies are also finding themselves very short of pilots, Nielsen says. Totake advan- tage of the opportunities, Nielsen recommends starting training now Any time is an ideal time to learn to fly for pleasure, he adds. The West Kootenay has some”! thé most spectacular scenery in the world and thé view from the air is airport, says career breathtaking, he says. Adastra Aviation has experien- ced instructors available to provide people with infermation packages on private and commercial pilot training Discovery flights are also available for $25 The company began as Waneta Airin Trail and moved to Castlegar as Adastra Aviation in 1966. Recovery evident During the mid-1980s, Kootenay Savings Credit Union, like all financial institutions in the Kootenays, experi Two things we're proud to believe in: For nearly a century now, we've been dedicated to helping build, develop and make Communities like AND OMMUNITY Castlegar better places in which to live. It’s part of our overall commitment to continue to adopt and apply new technologies which will improve service to our customers. B.C. Tel’s continuing investment in digital electronic switching equipment is an example of proViding for immediate improvements in service quality while, at the same time, building a the more sophisticated developments.of the electronic revolution. Just as B.C. experiences growth through the development of new Communities, and the expansion of existing areas, groundwork for B.C. Tel is moving forward with the times. And along the way, our commitment to improving B.C. community life remains a vital part of our total commitment. We make it a way of life. enced higher-than-normal loan delin: quencies. This was due to high unemploy ment, an unprecedented number. of bankruptcies and low real-estate values. But in 1988, bad debts were at levels more consistent with pre-recession years. Doug Stanley, KSCU’s chief executive officer, says the downward trend in loan losses began in 1987 and is a positive sign of a healthier economy. Although the credit union experien ced a six-per-cent decline in loans secured by real estate last year, per- sonal loans for such things as vehicles, home improvements and vacations in creased by close to 12 per cent Despite the economic downturn of the early 1980s, Kootenay Savings, with nearly $155“million in assets, has continued to grow, adding 10 em- ployees to its payroll and acquiring another community credit union at Kaslo. Stanley says Kootenay Savings, with 23,000 members, is always looking for new products and services to offer and has several “firsts” to its credit, in- cluding being the first financial in stitution in B.C. to offer bi-weekly mortgage payments and the first in the Kootenays to install automated bank ing machines Senior management at the credit union offers some 75 years of success ful management experience where the community plays an important role in product, service and convenience Autoplan © Insurance ® Registration ¢ Home * Bonds WALTER SIEMENS Notary Public ‘To provide fast, friendly servi most experienced people in the West Koo ES COMMITMENT TO YO! Curriers Insurance Agencies “Where Your Business is Appreciated” * Licence Plates © Vehicle Transfers © Private Vehicle Coverage General Insurance * Mobile Home © Boats © Business e RV's” © Travel Life Insurance © Term Plans *> Registered Plans © Annuities Notary Public Service © Property Transfers * Mobile Home Transfers © Wills © Mortgages CHECK FOR DISCOUNTS! Seniors, Smoke Alarm, Burglar Alarm, Safe Driver, etc. Various PAYMENT PLANS available including jat is backed up by thi ay area 1331 Bay Ave., Trail (next to Serving Trail and the West Kootenay Region for 34 Years CURRIERS INSURANCE AGENCIES LTD jus Depot) — Phone 364-1285 and in Rossland '* ROSSLAND INSURANCE AGENCY Next to the Post Office — Phone 36: * Leases EXPANDING ... Doug Stanley (right), Kootenay Savings Credit Union's chief executive offic a . Brent Tremblay, division of Ss s building in Trail and will begin renovations this month. hold up an artist’s sketch of thenew building in Trail. KSCU purchased the former Tognotti Kootenay Savings continues to grow Kootenay Savings Credit Union had a satisfying year in 1988-froma financial point of view and in all other aspec- ts of operation. This has resulted in KSCU declaring a five per-cent dividend for 1988. Through the dedicated efforts of the board and em ployees, and through the support of its members, KSCL achieved strong growth in deposits, assets, membership and earnings, said Doug Stanley, KSCU’s chief executive officer During 1988, assets ingreased to $153.5 million from $139.8 million, a growth rate of 9.75 per cent: Income before taxes and dividends was $809,000, an increase of nine per cent over 1987. After the payment of taxes and a five-per-cent dividend, an additional $426,000 was added to retained earnings equity As Kootenay Savings enters 1989, the credit union is well positioned for the next decade “Our members and our staff will continue to be our most important resources; our members in determining the products and services that we offer, and our staff in providing the quality, professional service that will main tain Kootenay Savings’ position as a leader in the financial services industry," Stanley says: Kootenay Savings has managed to survive the recession which hit the area in 1983 and the credit union continued to grow and surge ahead “That's because I strongly believe it’s the people that make things happen,’’ Stanley says. ‘We are a people controlled and oriented organization. Kootenay Savings has grown to become the largest credit union in the southern interior, and the 12th largest in B.C. offering a full range of financial services. Although products are similar to those offered by chartered banks and trust companies, Kootenay Savings officials believe that the credit union’s services are basic and simple enough toappeal to the majority of people in the region. With branches in eight West Kootenay communities — Trail, Fruitvale, Castlegar, Salmo, South Slocan, Nakusp, New Denver and Kaslo, KSCU was formed in 1969 when the small community credit unions at Trail, Fruitvale and Brilliant (all of which have been in operation since the 1940s), amalgamated to form a strong institution capable of providing expanded financial benefits to mem- bers. m The demographic trend in the Kootenays has already shifted to an aging population and thus the credit union is trying to focus on offering services to these people. Such services include retirement products, insurance services and financial information Kootenay Savings is also trying to enhance its ability to work more closely with youth. The credit union recently in- troduced a new product, the “‘Koojenay Kids Account,”” especially for children \ —<< << — ——_—_——-. FLYING TRAINING LEARN TO FLY FOR PLEASURE OR CAREER Adastra Aviation offers Private and Commercial Pilot Courses NEXT GROUND SCHOOL APRIL 18, 1989 TRY OUR INTRODUCTORY FLIGHT FOR ONLY $25.00 365-3035 or 365-7701 DASTRAaare Brent Tremblay, division manager of marketing and planning,saysthe-account_is_fashioned_to_encourage children to save money, learn how to write cheques and un- derstand the banking system. “It’s a super educational program zeroing in on children with their future in mind,” he says Through a wholly owned subsidiary, Kootenay Savings Insurance Services Ltd., the credit union offers a full range of insurance products. KSCU purchased the in- surance business of Henne Insurance in Trail in 1980, and just last year acquired the book of insurance’business of the former Trail Insurance Agency The insurance subsidiary will soon have a new home. In anticipation of growth, the credit union purchased the former Tognotti building, located next deor to Kootenay Savings’ building in Trail. Renovations are expected to begin this month and will be.completed in June, when the building will become the new home of Kootenay Savings Insurance Services Ltd., Trail Stanley, with 26 years of financial experience in Trail and eastern Canada, says he feels that an outside financial institution nvight see everything in black and white, asin the case of a small business seeking aloan. However, KSCU evaluates the request easier than a person sitting at a desk in Vancouver or Toronto, he says. Decisions are made locally at KSCU by those who have the greatest interest and investment in the area — the people of the community All of the members of the board of directors are from various West Kootenay communities and understand the needs of credit union members in those communities The 12 KSCU board members research ideas and ask management to further explore them. They give management theflexibitity to freely devetop—suitable products and services. Management is innovative and has the full support of the board Small businesses appreciate the level of service fees at Kootenay Savings. A recent report indicated that a survey of 3,600 small businesses dealing with credit unions are amore satisfied with their service charges than those offered by chartered banks. Tremblay says service charges compare favorably or come out ahead of chartered banks. KSCU prides itself on not charging exhorbitant rates. They keep members aware of the service fees and easily provide the rationale for service fee structures. KSCU prices products based on what they cost to buy, not to create huge profits A credit union or regional banking enterprise is only as strong as the community it serves “In good time, a financial institution, regional in nature (such as Kootenay Savings), benefits*from the good — times and shares in the badtimes,”’ Stanley says. Fly When ~ and Where The Airlines Don't Single and Twin engine aircraft available scheduled to your convenience. All weather operations anywhere in North America. Castlegar Airport *y&— 86 Years of Service WEST’S DEPARTMENT STORELTD. Your Home - Hardware Dealer Ladies Wear Fabrics & Notions Travel Agency 1217-3rd St. Castlegar Ph. 365-7782 25 Years of Service THE bo 1010-4th St., Castlegar Ph. 365-5858 TANIA SALIKEN PETER & SUE POPOFF (12 Years) 21 Years of Service Coleman Excavating Sump and Septic Tank Pumping Excavating and Snow Removal ROY, LORNE& CRAIG COLEMAN 365-5013 3400-4th Ave., Castlegar V1N 2T3 13 Years of Service WIZARD’S * ARCADE * BILLIARD & SNOOKER TABLES *MR.POP HARRY ZAITSOFF Phone 365-3237 4005 Second St., Castlegar VAN1TY4 10 Years of Service His Place Hairstyling Specializing inMen’s Hair Cutting and Styling Phone 365-5677 Glen Carew, Owner-Operator 355 Columbia, Castlegar KEN’S AUTO AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT a LTD. 1501 Columbia Ave., Castlegar V1N 1H8 Ph. 365-7532 KEN MARTIN 23 Years of Service MARVIN LeROY OPTOMETRIST —— Phone 365-3361 Tues.-Fri.9a.m. to 4:30p.m Saturday 9a.m.to12noon 21 Years of Service DENTURE - CLINICLTD. DENTURISTS 272 Columbia Ave., Castlegar Phone 365-8281 JOHN, BOB & DAN HAACK Mon.-Fri.9 a.m. to5 p.m. Castlegar — Trail Grand Forks — Nelson COLUMBIA AUTO SERVICE 850 Columbia Ave., Castlegar, B.C. VIN Fullline of Petro Canada Products Automotive Repairs Phone 365-5422 Phil Zaytsoff and Larry Webster SCOTTIES MARINA Moorage * New Boat Tops Boat Repairs Bdat & Houseboat Rentals Dock Construction Towing & Salvage Barge Service Groceries & Gas Sales Phone 365-3267 Scottie, Dallas, Jill & Jason Tate R.R. No. 1, Site 33, C-7 Castlegar, B.C. VINSH7