Castlegar News Update ‘90 TN RRL Firm boasts well- trained staff ~ Opened in 1932 Trail, now in its 58th year, offers a full range se jewelry and giftware as wet a8 a repair service for watches and Jewelry. Lavener Bros. Jewellers. . for 58 years, a name synonymous with Craftsmanship and Expertise! From:-1932-1968 — Bill. and Oscar Lavener 1968-Present — Bob Durkin = Bob Durkin owned & operated his own store, -Durkin's Jewellers, in Trail from 1966 to 1968 BOB DURKIN’S PERSONAL PLEDGE “Quality merchandise, the finest of craftsmanship, and the friendliest of staffs. Our tustomers ore our friends, and we value your continued patronage.” * Rings & Jewellery custom-made on premises © Engraving LAUENER BROS. JEWELLERS 1355 Cedar Ave., Trail — We've Got the Gifts of Love — Phone 368-9533 For 58 years now, Lauener Brothers Jewellers in downtown Trail has been offering ‘‘quality mechan- dise, the finest of craftsmanship and the friendliest of staffs." “Our customers are our friends, and we value their continued patronage,"’ says the store's com- Petent owner-manager Bob Durkin, who is never too busy to help a customer. The story of Lauener Brothers began in 1932 when two brothers from Switzerland emigrated to Trail and began Lauener Brothers Jewellers. They ran the store until 1968 when Durkin bought it but kept the original name. Durkin was already experienced in the jewelry business. His father- owned Durkin’s Jewellers in Trail from 1937 to 1953 and Bob himself ran a jewelry store for two years, prior to taking over Lauener Brothers. The store offers a full range of jewelry and giftware. New Royal Doulton and Hummel figurines are already on the shelves, as are many new pieces of crystal from the ii time they take,"’ Durkin says with a smile. With a very old watch, Durkin and his staff sometimes even have to make individual parts or a new casing because spare parts are no longer available. Another service provided by the store is the engraving of jewelry and trophies, and the appraisal of jewelry for personal information and for i; surance purposes. An interesting aspect of the business that is increasing in impor- tance is jewelry design and manufac- ture. Customers can bring in their own diamonds or gemstones, or old rings and bracelets, and Durkin or Paul Simonetta can suggest ways they can be remounted or redesigned into a different piece of jewelry. Customers are also encouraged to bring in their own designs. As with any other business, staff are a vitally important part and Lauener Brothers offers some real ex. pertise to its customers. Durkin jis a graduate jeweller and certified watchmaker. Simonetta is a graduate gemologist, and both he and Fred Schwindt are also certified wat- Durkin has a wide range of clocks and jewel boxes, both of which are popular gift items. ‘As well as jewelry and giftware, Lauener Brothers offers_many_ser- vices. Watch and jewelry repairs are done on the premises by the three certified staff watchmakers. Even cuckoo clocks can be mended but they are “‘a Teal labor of love because of the tong Salesperson Brenda Simonetta has taken a course on pearl grading and restringing: while Kathleen Pearson looks after the financial side of the business in her role as bookkeeper_ The staff also had a hand in choosing the colors for the renovations carried out two years ago at the store. The new carpets and display cases give a brighter, more at- tractive look to the store. Curriers’ commitment backed by experience Curriers Insurance Agencies, owned by Walter Siemens, has as its motto ‘‘Where your business is-ap- preciated,”’ and offers a full line of services inctuding Autoplan, general All Watch & Jewellery repairs done on premises er) 7 ae ANNA ‘ } ‘BOB DURKIN life is and notary public work. Located at 1331 Bay Ave., Trail, next to the Greyhound Bus Depot, Curriers was started in 1953 and pur- chased by Siemens in 1969. In 1971 he received his commission asa notary public. The founder of the was Thus, the business has now grown from a business with one owner and one staff member in 1969 to locations in Trail and Rossland with one owner in’ Trait and Wait’s son, Byron, in Rossland and a total of nine staff members today. Autoplan service provided by Curriers includes insurance, licence plates, registration and vehicle tran- sfers. General insurance services in- chide home, business, mobile home, bonding, boats, RVs and travel. Curriers also offers the only private Carl Currier who started the business in'a small second-floor office. It was purchased by George in insurance available in the area. Life insurance services include term 1960 and then by Siemens in 1969 following eight years” association by Siemens with Allstate Insurance. In 1986 Siemens purchased the Rossland Insurance Agency and was joined by his son, Byron, as manager. Byron had worked previously for several insurance companies-in- the area. plans, plans and while notary public services include property transfers, mobile home tran- sfers, wills; mortgages and leases. ‘Office manager for the firm, and & 19-year employee with the company, is Irene Renz of Castlegar. She over- sees the day-to-day operations of Curriers. Another Castlegar resident who is a member of the firm is Peter Majesgy, a sales agent with 27 years of ex- perience. Bill Russell heads the com- pany’s life insurance department. These three people, and the firm’s other employees, ‘‘all have a sincere. commitment to provide fast, friendly. service,"’ says Siemens. He adds that the company’s commitment to service “tis backed by the most experienced people in the area.’’ Walter Siemens also believes in ser- vice to his community and to the in- surance industry. He served cight years as a Trail alderman, is active in his church, and has been involved in a host of community groups including Rotary. In 1979 he was president of the In- surance Agents’ Association of B.C. and is past chairman of the industry’s regulatory body, the Insurance Coun- cilof B.C. Walter is now an executive member of the Society of Notaries Public of B.C. and is a director of the B.C. Assessment Authority. ~ the friendly TERRA NOVA “THE FINEST FULL SERVICE HOTEL IN KOOTENAY COUNTRY.” ~ 1001 Rossland Avenue, Trail, B.C. Phone (604) 368-3355 Telex 041-4416 Fax 368-3930 —— Autoplan © Insurance © Registration ¢ Home * Bonds © Boats Curriers Insurance Agencies “Where Your Business is Appreciated" © Licence Plates * Vehicle Transfers * Private Vehicle Coverage General Insurance *® Mobile Home * Business © RV's © Travel Leading the way Kootenay Savings Credit Union finished 1989 on an upswing, Increasing It: sets by 7.5 per cent. Dedicated staff such as Alice Negus (above), helping a customer in the insurance office, ‘and Lynn Davidson (right) now serve a membership which has grown to 32,600. Future looks good for Kootenay Savings Kootenay Savirigs Credit Union finished 1989 with a net income of $750,000 and assets that now sit at $1635~miltion, ~says— marketing and planning division manager Brent ‘Tremblay who calls 1989 “a good year’” for the financial i Slocan Valley, he says. The number of KSCU employees has continued to increase over the years because layoffs have never been necessary, Tremblay adds. The credit union loan program has now includes. Assets grew by 7-5 per cent over the year which Tremblay says can be par- tially attributed to an —aging ‘population with more _money_to save, increasing its deposits. long-term mortgages, he says. As well, the children’s program that in- cludes—such features —asno— service charges continues to be popular. Another change has been the in- by 300 to 32,600 and Kootenay Savings now employs 120 people in its nine bran- ches and two insurance offices in the Trail-Castiegar region and up” the of an banking machine at the Fruitvale branch of- fice Tue directors of Kootenay Savings authorized the project in response to the growing consumer demand for the service and the growth of transactions at the Fruitvale office. Kootenay Savings was the first financial institution in the southern interior of B.C. to introduce automated banking machines and the first ones were installed in Trail and Castlegar in 1984: “Since—then,—transactions—have—in= creased to over 16,000 per month at the two banking units. Since the Trail machine was carrying the majority of the increased volume, a larger unit was installed at the Trail branch and continued on page 9 Castlegar News Update ‘90 Insurance service continues to grow In 1979, the board of directors of Kootenay Savings Credit Union made a decision to expand service to the credit union membership by offering insurance products. In October of that year, the book of business of Peter Henne Insurance Agency in Trail was purchased by the credit union and a subsidiary company, Kootenay ‘Savings Insurance Services Ltd., was formed. The insurance service ‘was moved to the main credit building i renovated for such acq' In 1981, the credit union ‘had the opportunity to provide the same service in the Castlegar region by acquiring the Mc- Callister Insurance Agency. An agency was established within the Castlegar branch office of Kootenay Savings. In mid-year 1988, the credit union was approached by the , Saving: Ltd. owners of Trail Insurance Agency to take over the book of insurance business of that purchase was business incorporated into existing Kootenay Savings surance Services subsidiary of the credit union. Over the last 10 years, the in- surance operation has experienced excellent growth. The staff com- plement was increased from three to the present level of eight to grow in its effort to provide a S full range of Insurance services to the people of the West Kootenay. Above, Brent Trembiay (left), marketing and division and Sandy Santori, Kootenay Savings Service chitectural appearance of the original credit union building at Cedar and Farwell in Trail, which ‘was erected in 1967; The interior of the main floor, which is occupied by the insurance operation, was especially designed with the ‘‘exclusive focus’’ on qualified P ing a Service with the con- full insurance service-program to struction of an service people of the West Koot area of : I ion and ser- region. confidential ‘‘service stations.” vice is the strength of Kootenay The growth of the business at The new concept in customer ser- Savings Insurance. This is evident the Trail location was such that ~~ vice was the first to be established with the new facilities in Trail, the space became a problem for the in this region and provides the creation of an Autoplan financing growing agency. An adjoining utmost in privacy for individual program and the use of computer property on Farwell Street—in——consultation—in—a— friendly —en-——technology—-to—provide—fast,—ef= Trail, formerly known as the vironment. ficient service. Tognotti Building, was acquired Kootenay Savings Insurance Customer “service, competitive by Kootenay Savings and exten- currently serves the greater Trail rates and strong insurance com- sive renovations undertaken to and Castlegar areas and has the pany support have allowed establish a new location for the in- expertise to provide i ser- Kot Savings Ser- surance subsidiary at the new ad-——vices-for—any type of—insurance vices -Ltd.-to- grow in the greater dress at 999 Farwell Street — on — products including Autoplan, “Trail and Castlegar_areas. These the same block as the main credit homeowner, tenants, business, main, popular features of the in- union building. mobile homes, recreational surance subsidiary will assure the The outer appearance of the vehicles, boats, travel, life and continued growth of excellent in- acquired building was totally disability. surance services into the 20th cen- redesigned to conform to the ar- There are customer service representatives to help customers choose the best insurance policy and tailor it to ‘meet the present and future needs of the client. To ensure competitiveness in rates and coverage, Kootenay Savings Insurance Services represents eight strong and seven licensed “Greater Frail bas been an industrial centre in British Columbia for almost 100 years. Now thanks to a billion dollars of new investment, Greater Trail is evolving into a model industrial centre ready to meet the challenges of the next SUPPORTING NEW INDUSTRY century. ”? THE RENAISSANCE OF GREATER TRAIL Greater Trail has been an industrial centre in British Colum- bia for almost 100 years. Now, thanks to a billion dollars of new investment, Greater Trait is evolving into a modet centre ready to meet the challenge of the next century. A progressive centre where the environment is clean and healthy, where the in- dustrial base is diverse, and where the outlook is Greater Trail's strategic location on the U.S. with reduced trade restrictions are generating new investment possibilities. Greater Trail has the inexpensive energy and sup- porting infrastructure to accommodate industry large and small. INDUSTRIAL DIVERSIFICATION hile Cominco has been primarily a base natal producer, there has always been the sear- ch for new business opportunities. product tines range from base metals and high Purity metals to chemicals. Fairly recently com- pleted was a $6 million plant to produce ger- lobal. der coupled Today its New industry, large or small, need not worry about support sservices. Greater Trail already has the machine shops, plastic, motor re-winding, and steel fabrication shops, custom foundry. Technical support is available through Comin- co's Research and Development Centre and engineering con- sulting company. But support for new industry is not confined to infrastructure and other hard services alone. Existing industry and local gover- nment genuinely welcome new industries. Greater Trail has always attracted a loyal and highly skilled labour force. In recent years industrial modernization and ex- pansion involving technologically advanced processes have stimulated the evolution of an even more educated and highly trained workforce. Public institutions. such as Selkirk College in the area, The 1980’s have brought the industrial transformation of Cominco to the cleanest, most modern, efficient and cost-effective plants of their type in the world! and even a Fhe_Transformation—is—Dramatically-Re- shaping the Community! + Even more highly trained & educated workforce * Income now 23% above national average + Retail sales now 8% above national average + Investment interest + Virtual elimination of smoke + Community emphasis on beautification * Positive attitudes « Strong civic leadership * Optimism provide basic educatien-end vocational training opportunities. joth union and non-union companies operate here. The area is characterized as having mature and stable labour relations. THE GOOD LIFE — LOCAL AMENITIES Living your lifestyle in Greater Trail is a matter of choice, not necessity. The performing arts are enthusiastically supported. Each year a full program of professional performances are staged in Trail's theatre. Sufficient support is also provided for several local theatre companies and a light opera company. The visual arts are firmly established in the area with a large number of professional and amateur painters, some of whom are achieving recognition in urban centres throughout Canada and the United States. _Retoted to these are oa Group of weavers, who are similarly making a name tor themselves outside the SPORTS AND RECREATION Greater Trail is renowned for its sports and recreation facilities. Numerous championship events are hosted each year, from recreational tournaments to world-class events Then there are the mountains for hiking and skiing; numerous lakes for boating, swimming and relaxing. One should not forget the mighty Columbia River . . . cast your line and catch a fish or just go for a relaxing stroll through one of the riverfront parks Each year various festivals are organized for locals and visitors alike. May Days in the Beaver Valley, a Mountain Music Festival, Silver City Days that toast the rich Italian heritage of Trail, Golden City Days that celebrates Rossland’s mining heyday and the fun-filled winter carnival. Industrial diversification Kas algo come in the form of a new zinc alloy fatility to.service the Asian die-casting .industry and a $14 million plant to provide the base material for a “super” wood preservative. . . And it is not just Cominco making the in- _Notary Public Service v tments. Airco became a new corporate © Property Transfers citizen by constructing a $48 million air separation plant to provide industrial gases to * Mobile Home Transfers * Wills ¢ Mortgages © Leases manium, and a new plant to propueandium: The Encore Conference and Banquet Room Life Insurance ° Term Plans © Annuities © Registered Plans local as well as export customers. Trimac Transportation Systems invested ina mylti-million dottar facility which further im- proved the movement of products in and out of Greater Trail. Our most recent corporate citizen is John- son-Matthey, @ world leader in precious metal refining and high technology products. HEALTH CARE The Trail Regional Hospital is the largest public general hospital in south-east British Columbia. It is Greater Trail’s second largest employer and provides a wide range of general specialty services. Also, there is the Mater Misericordiae Hospital, several Public Health units, a mental health centre and numerous private clinics. Greater Trail enjoys the benefits of a superb health care sy: tem. THE CITY OF TRAIL Attractive Lobby CHECK FOR DISCOUNTS! Seniors, Smoke Alarm, Burglar Alarm, Safe Driver, etc. WALTER SIEMENS Notary Public Various PAYMENT PLANS available including Rosario's Ace of Clubs UR COMMITMENT TO YOu: “To provide fast, friendly service hat is backed up by most experienced people in the W. Manhattan Lounge Kootenay area “The moment you make a decision to take a closer look at Greater Trail and explore the potential for investment, we are ready to assist you. ” * Mayor, City Hall, 1394 Pine Ave., Trail, B.C. VIR 4E6. (604) 364-1262. Fax ‘364-0830 Serving Trail and the West Kootenay Region for 37 Years CURRIERS INSURANCE AGENCIES LTD 331 Bay Ave., Trail (next to the Bus Depot) — Phone 364-1285 and in Rossland RO N LAND INSURANCE AGENCY The moment you make the decision to take a closer look at Greater iaiead Office — Phone 362-7337 2 Frottand- ¢ the potential for investment, we are vor ossisr yout every detail, whatever the size of your business venture. You will find us co- operative, enthusiastic, and wishing to be as helpful as it is possible for us to be. Just write, phone or fax . * Economic Development Department, Regional District of Kootenay- Boundary, 1159 Pine Avenue, Trail, B.C. VIR 4E2, (604) 368-9148. Fox (60%) 368-3990. Beautifully Appointed Rooms «@ Peppercorn Restaurant