Podunk Below the Masthead, Thursday, December 31, 2009

Word from Canpotex but not what the locals wanted to hear, The Royal bank in Prince Rupert turns 100 first and the city offers up some new guidelines for development in 2010, some of the highlights of the news cycle on the final day of 2009.

Daily News, front page, headline story
No official word on Canpotex for Rupert as of yet -- The latest twist in the Canpotex saga, with the Saskatchewan based potash company apparently putting off any decisions on terminal construction and location for sometime in 2010.

The Royal Bank, like the City of Prince Rupert is set to celebrate a centennial. The Daily News highlights the one hundred year observations of the city's original financial citizen.

New development guidelines are set to be presented to council, when they return to work on the 11th of January. That as City Planner Zena Krekic provides a new path for local residents and business operators to work with for the new year.

The Sports section looks back at the Prince Rupert sports scene for 2009

(Archive for Daily News Articles for December 31, 2009 )

The Northern View
Canpotex decision delayed further -- A short review of the delayed decision on where Canpotex will locate its export facilities on the west coast. (see article here)

CFTK TV 7
Canpotex announcement delayed -- CFTK TV offers up its interpretation of the events regarding Canpotex and its putting off until the future of a decision on a shipment terminal for British Columbia (see article here)
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CFTK TV 7
New Years Eve Revellers Warned to Be Careful -- The usual warnings to exercise caution over the New year's eve period are reviewed by CFTK (see article here)

CBC News Northern British Columbia, Daybreak North
Daybreak is on Christmas break, a notice on their website advises that no new items are to be posted to their Daybreak site until January 4, 2010

Daily News, front page, headline story
No official word on Canpotex for Rupert as of yet
By Monica Lamb-Yorski
The Daily News
Thursday, December 31, 2009

Canpotex headquarters in Saskatoon confirmed Wednesday that there is no statement pending this week on the status of the Prince Rupert potash export terminal proposal, and no date has been set for the release of a statement.

Earlier the company had announced it would make a decision by the end of December 2009.
Internal discussions on the proposal are ongoing, said a spokesperson for Canpotex, meaning communities on the North Coast are going to have to wait to learn if Prince Rupert will be selected over Vancouver for a Potash Export Terminal.

According to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry, if Ridley Island is chosen for the potash terminal, Canpotex will develop a deepwater marine wharf, access trestle and all-weather ship loading facility capable of receiving a 180,000 (approximate) dead weight tonne (DWT) vessel.

“In addition there would be a 120,000 (approximate) tonne potash storage shed with associated conveyor and dust collection systems; - an automated railcar unloading and conveyor system; - a settlement pond for storm water and wash down water; - administration, personnel, maintenance, and storage buildings; - site services including water supply, natural gas and sewage,” states the agency website.

At a public information session held on September 22, people from Prince Rupert and the outlying communities almost filled the 700-seat Lester Centre of the Arts to hear about the proposal and show their support.

Vice President of Planning and Development of Canpotex Jon Somers told the crowd that evening he appreciated the time and effort the people of the North Coast communities has shown.

“We’re here to ask if we should go ahead with Prince Rupert,” Somers said.
Dave van Rensburg, engineer with Hatch Mott MacDonald, confirmed there would be 250 to 300 direct construction jobs for a two to three year period, and an additional 80 to 100 permanent jobs through transport and housing.

But back in September Somers warned if Prince Rupert was chosen there could be delays because of the world’s economic situation.

Canpotex has been working with the Prince Rupert Port Authority and CN over the past two years on determining the suitability of the Port of Prince Rupert for a new greenfield terminal development to support the expansion of its West coast export capacity.