There was some backslapping, some speech making and plate upon plate of fine food, as the Chances Entertainment Centre spent the weekend celebrating its Grand Opening.
From a Community celebration on Friday night, to the Grand Opening VIP invite affair on Saturday, Prince Rupert’s newest entertainment destination was feted in fine style.
To wrap up the weekend of celebration there was even a pancake breakfast on Sunday morning, just the tonic for those that may have over celebrated on Saturday.
The Grand Opening allowed the new Gaming and Convention Centre to show off its capabilities and talents, highlighting for many in the community a new direction for entertainment and socializing in the city.
The Daily News featured all the events of celebration weekend as part of their front page story in Tuesday’s paper.
SUPPORTERS FEEL FORTUNATE TO WELCOME CHANCES TO TOWN
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Pages one and three
The development of a first-class entertainment facility set on the scenic edge of the Prince Rupert waterfront had nothing to do with luck.
Rather it was the unique partnership between 35 local charities and a group of entrepreneurial developers that brought the vision of Chances Prince Rupert to life.
This weekend, a little more than two years after announcing their intention to build the facility, the Prince Rupert Bingo Association and its partners celebrated the official opening of the Chances Community Gaming Centre and convention facility.
"Chances Prince Rupert is a facility that offers more," said Craig Briere, business manager for the Prince Rupert Bingo Association. "If you haven't noticed, it's not a bingo hall with slot machines. We have a full entertainment facility with wide-ranging entertainment experiences. It's not just for people who participate in gaming. It's for everybody. We have fine dining, great food, a convention space, bingo, slot machines and we are looking at live entertainment."
Some 300 people from around the region and as far away as Alberta and Alaska were at the VIP dinner Saturday.
“We are so proud of what the partners have achieved here in this facility,” said Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond.
“This is an asset for the city of Prince Rupert. It is an asset that will attract people to this community. It is an asset that will attract conventions to this community, conferences we couldn’t do in the past. And already some have booked and are coming as a result of this facility.”
Other events this weekend at Chances included a community celebration dance Friday night and a Prince Rupert Bingo Association Community Appreciation Pancake Breakfast on Sunday morning.
Set on the former site of the Royal Canadian Legion, Chance Prince Rupert includes a gaming facility with 115 slot machines and 10 seat shuffle master black jack seats, the Lush Lounge and Bar, and 10,000 square foot convention centre, with full kitchen.
The project was originally proposed as a $8 million facility, but expanded over time to include the convention centre and a $13- million budget.
Susan Marsden, president of the Prince Rupert Bingo Association thanked their 35 member charities, many of whom spent long hours on the project, as well as the business partners who made the facility a reality.
“Especially important to me personally is the commitment they made to make something aesthetically pleasing and a real asset for the community at large and they have done a fantastic job,” said Marsden.
This includes a wonderful use of the waterfront site, the design of the building itself and the development of the beautiful convention centre on the lower floor, she said.
Both Marsden and Briere thanked Charles Maddison of Boni-Maddison Architects for his design, John Marogna of Marcan Construction as well as the many other contractors who worked on the project.
“We are very proud to be here in the traditional area of the Tsimshian Nation, on the former site of the Royal Canadian Legion, to unveil a facility that is first in class, that rivals anything in the province of British Columbia, let alone North America,” said Briere.
So far, Chances Prince Rupert has hired 120 people locally. In addition to receiving additional property taxes from the development of the facility, the city will also receive a portion of funds generated by gaming. And last year, 41 local organizations received $612,000 in grants associated with gaming funds.
Showing posts with label Grand Opening. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grand Opening. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Applause and cheers greet Port partners at Grand Opening
Declaring it to be a great day for Prince Rupert, Mayor Herb Pond seemed to set the emotional tone of Wednesday's Grand Opening of the Fairview Container Port.
Looking out at the crowd of 7.000 residents who had gathered to take a look at the long awaited project, Pond bragged about his fellow residents, "a hard working people who fell on some tough times and all they wanted was to go back to work."
From the Mayor through the list of industrial supporters to the project, the theme of progress and future growth seemed to be the message to those hopeful of better days to come.
The Friday Daily News wrapped up their Port coverage of the week with a couple of stories on the Ports big day.
Port celebration gets emotional
By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Friday, September 14, 2007
By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Friday, September 14, 2007
Pages one and three
It was an evening full of emotion Wednesday when the people of Prince Rupert gathered at the Fairview Container Terminal for the grand opening ceremony.
"As I look through the audience I see a lot of young people in this community," said British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell, who was the first of several keynote speakers.
"Your community had a dream for you, and in pursuing [it] they were pursuing that vision for each of you young people. Today, that promise is a reality because of the person next to you, the person behind you, and because of the people in your town that always had faith in their vision and in the promise of Prince Rupert."
The crowd, estimated to be between 6,000 and 7,000 strong, came out to get their first look at the terminal site and was clearly in good spirits, as applause and cheers were loud and plentiful as those responsible for the terminal opening took turns addressing those in attendance.
"I've been coming to Prince Rupert for the past 24 months, and I don't know if it's the air you breath or the water you drink, but every person I've met [originally] came up for two years, and stayed for 30," said CN Rail's International Intermodal Sales Director Doug Hayden-Luck. "So there's something about the people of Prince Rupert that brings you together, and I'm not sure what it is, but I'd sure like to be part of it."
The next person to approach the podium was the founder of Maher Terminals, Brian Maher, who delivered inspiring words about to his first impression of Prince Rupert several years ago.
"I came here in December of 2002, and I already was sold on the whole idea, but I wanted to see what was the potential of the facility, and I wanted to see what was the attitude of the town, because the last thing I wanted to do was come in and force something on people who didn't want it," said the Maher CEO.
"What I came away with was that it was a facility that could be built, and that it was a town that needed and wanted a container terminal, which was as much a part of the decision-making of getting behind this project.
"This is something that will be profitable to you, your children and your children's children, and the Maher Terminals organization is extremely proud to be a part of bringing it to fruition."
A loud and proud Mayor Herb Pond first addressed the crow in Sm'algyax before thanking Prince Rupert Port President Don Krusel and the other representatives who were present.
"It's really hard to be here and not be emotional. What a great day for Prince Rupert!" he shouted.
"Mr. Premier these are the people I've bragged about.
"These are the hard-working people who have fell on some tough times, and all they wanted was to go back to work."
Mayor Pond also had glowing words for Premier Campbell. Pond encouraged everyone to hug Campbell later in evening as thanks for his role in making Fairview possible, regardless, he said, of their political affiliations.
"I may have made some of his security a little nervous, I'm not sure," he joked to a roar of laughter.
"I'm going to walk away, but I have some key words I want you to remember: Phase Two."
Pond got the entire crowd to chant "Phase Two" a couple times before Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen took it home with an address that got right to the point.
"A lot of times, you come to these things and there's a lot of congratulations going around, and there's nothing politicians like better than congratulations," said Cullen moments before he was cut-off by the horn of a passing cruise ship for the first time, which had the crowd roaring with laughter yet again.
"I'm going to shut up and leave with this," he said.
"There's no place I've gone to that is more deserving of a hand up and an opportunity for a better future for itself that Prince Rupert."
After all those heartfelt and at-times humourous words, people got to enjoy the rest of the festivities.
Live music played in the background, while kids ate cotton candy and had their faces painted.
Others chose to explore the HMCS Ottawa that was docked and open for tours, or visit any one of the interesting exhibits on display that explained various functions and roles at the Terminal.
After a spectacular fireworks display adults and children alike were headed home after a day many in Prince Rupert will likely not forget.
Border officers ready to meet influx of ships
By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Friday, September 14, 2007
By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Friday, September 14, 2007
Page three
Drug traffickers and other criminals will have a tough time trying to sneak any illegal contraband into Canada through Fairview if the Canadian Border Services Agency's (CBSA's) state-of-the-art technology is functioning properly.
CBSA members were in full attendance at Wednesday's Fairview Container Terminal grand opening, where they showed-off many of the devices and technology they'll use to inspect incoming cargo, all of which is the latest and most advanced equipment available.
"Our staff have done a fantastic job of setting this up, and essentially what we've done is brought out some of our contraband detection equipment that we use every day in our work," said CBSA's Trevor Baird.
"Whether it's in the cargo concealed in the container or on board ships, this is what we use to detect any contraband trying to be smuggled in."
There were nearly 20 different pieces of equipment available for the public to view and even try out, from telescopic cameras to a machine that detects trace amounts of narcotics.
"It's what we call an Itemizer, and you would use a swab to swipe surfaces, put them into the machine, and it will give us a parts-per-billion reading of narcotics," explained Baird of the machine that might be mistaken for a cash register.
"So if there's even trace amount of narcotics, say cocaine, it'll give us that indication and what concentration there is. Then what we can do is focus our examination, so it's one tool to help narrow our search and find what we're looking for."
Also on hand for people to check out were special cameras equipped with lights designed to fit into tight spaces, that allow officers to look behind walls or other hard-to-reach places. CBSA officers demonstrated numerous other tools, like a hand-held stud finder which will tell officers the density of a box or package and reveal any inconsistencies within, and an underwater remote operated vehicle that the CBSA will use to inspect the underside of vessels because smugglers have even used divers to weld cargo to the underbelly of ships.
CBSA has been wise to this method and a great deal more techniques, all of which they will be vigilantly inspecting for when the first container ship arrives later next month.
Not only were they proudly displaying and demonstrating their security devices and technology, but they were also displaying current career opportunities that are available, because they will be requiring additional staff with the growth of the operation.
"We're pretty much fully staffed, but as the port ramps up so-to-speak and increases it's volume, we'll be in a continual staffing mode," said Baird. "We're always looking for new recruits, especially locally for people that are interested in a career with us there's lots of opportunities."
While there's really no way to anticipate what hiring capacity will be necessary should Phase Two move ahead, comparing the number of employees at other ports of entry can give a rough estimate of what may be needed here in Prince Rupert.
While there's really no way to anticipate what hiring capacity will be necessary should Phase Two move ahead, comparing the number of employees at other ports of entry can give a rough estimate of what may be needed here in Prince Rupert.
"If you look at Vancouver staffing levels, they're in the 1.4 million container range, so it's not unrealistic to think we might hire an additional 50 staff and at some point reach 100 strong," said Baird. "It's a very wild guess, and it really depends on the volumes, but if they continue to increase, then we'll continue to increase to match that."
Friday, September 14, 2007
From near and far they came to celebrate
While they have all long since scattered from whence they came, the town is still buzzing a bit about Wednesday‘s Grand Opening of the Fairview Container Terminal.
While few of the locals ever actually caught a glimpse, let alone had a word with any of the high profile Politicians and Business leaders that were here to observe the launching of Canada’s newest gateway, the stories and speeches are still being recounted across the town.
The Daily News featured the days events as would be expected in Thursday’s paper, with three items dedicated to all matters of the port.
PORT AND PARTNERS DELIVER CELEBRATION TO REMEMBER
Senior politicians and business leaders congregate in city for grand opening
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Pages one and three
In 50 years, the opening of the Fairview Container Terminal will carry the same importance to the continent as the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway, said British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell.
“This is the future of British Columbia and Canada, here in Prince Rupert. This is the Asia Pacific, “said Campbell, during the grand opening of the Fairview Container Terminal yesterday.
The sticky smell of asphalt and concrete and the sounds of construction were still in the air as dignitaries from as far away as Illinois and Ningbo Port, China, gathered to celebrate the opening of the $170 million intermodal facility.
The facility will see 500,000 TEU’s (average sized containers) moved on to CN Rail Cars. It is the beginning of a two-phase project that could see up to two million containers moved through the port by 2010.
Campbell said he believes that in time, people will take for granted the amount of work that it took to open the new trade corridor, but the long lasting impact will be just as significant as when Canada opened its corridor for Atlantic trade.
For Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond, it was an important turning moment in the town’s history.
“It is so appropriate that while we are sitting here, there are people out there working,” said Pond, looking at the backdrop of workers still pressing pavement as the ceremony was underway.
“There are local Prince Rupert people working here in this port and they are bringing home real pay cheques to families that need them.”
David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Asia Pacific Gateway, was accompanied to the event by Rona Ambrose, Minister for Western Economic Diversification.
Emerson said it is the power of partnerships that have brought the project to fruition.
“The people who have been here on the ground when times were not good – and more often that not in the past 20 years, they weren’t – I want to thank you and recognize you,” said Emerson.
The former local public servant first began hearing about opportunities for the port from then-mayor Peter Lester.
“But the development of Prince Rupert is only part of the Fairview story. The government of Canada is investing more than $100 million in the gateway initiative… with 80 per cent of the investments right here in British Columbia,” said Emerson.
He described the gateway as a way to move out of the boom-and-bust cycle that has characterized the region in the past. The gateway, he said, will act as “a transformative catalyst for trade whose impact will be felt across the West,” reaching into central Canada and down in to the United States.
“We will see a wave of jobs and value, creating opportunities for business of all kinds as the Asia Pacific Gateway delivers world-class competitive conditions along the full reach of its corridors,” said Emerson.
At the ceremony, hereditary chief Clarence Nelson and the Sm-Haalyt dancers of the Tsimshian Nation welcomed participants.
“Our canoes are being replaced… by the huge ships bringing in containers,” said Nelson. “We are encouraged by the opportunities our generation has to be part of the progress.
“Yes, there are changes but we the Tsimshian will be here. We will accept it by encouraging our future generations to be part of it with education.”
The event was marked by greetings and well-wishes from the mayors of Chicago and Memphis, the state of Illinois as well as Jim Foote, executive vice-president of sales and marketing CN Rail and David McLean, chairman of CN Rail and M. Brian Maher, president and CEO of Maher Terminals.
COSCO the first shipping line to sign on to use the terminal, was also represented, by Feng Zhang, COSCO Container Lines America, executive vice-president as was RREEF Deutsch Bank. The company with a portfolio of investments with 59 billion euros was represented by, Shaun Mays, CEO of RREEF infrastructure.
(for more from these partners, see tomorrow’s Daily News)
Dale MacLean, chairman of the Prince Rupert Port Authority, said the outcome of the project was the result of “vision, resolve and leadership, but also courage.”
“We are only really beginning to explore all the future possibilities of what Prince Rupert can grown and become.”
CHINESE PORT IS ON HAND TO CEMENT NEW TIES
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Pages one and three
The Port of Prince Rupert took time during the grand opening celebration to officially mark the beginning of a relationship with the Port of Ningbo, China.
The agreement will see the two ports exchange economic and technical information, including information on development and construction, and they will promote the development of shipping opportunities between one another.
“We look forward to exchanging valuable information with our new friends in Ningbo – information that will allow us both to grow and succeed over the coming years,” said Prince Rupert Port Authority president and CEO Don Krusel.
The Port of Ningbo is situation south of Shanghai, across Hangzhou Bay, and is considered to be the best natural deep-water port in China. Ningbo has posted the highest growth rates in China since 1998, drawing increasing levels of foreign investment and shipping traffic.”
A delegation from Ningbo came forward to sign the documents and Krusel pointed out the clause that has both parties working to seek a shipping line to move goods between the two ports in the future.
In 2006, the Port of Ningbo reached a throughput capacity of seven million TEUs and handled more that 300 million tons of cargo. Ningbo port has established trade relationships with more than 600 ports, including regular international container lines to Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore, USA and Europe.
Premier Gordon Campbell praised the agreement. Twinning ports and communities with Asia has been one of the key recommendations of the province’s Asia Pacific Trade Council – it recently encouraged communities to develop strong sister-city relationships as a way to get concrete results in the drive to create additional trade volumes.
“We have partners investing in the future of Prince Rupert because they see the new opportunities and the value of its strategic location,” said Campbell.
“The Fairview Container Terminal opens up a new high-speed, congestion-free trade corridor between Asia and North America.
“The friendship agreement between the two ports opens up an important relationship we also want to grow,” Campbell said.’’
“Whether commercial, municipal, or cultural, these relationships are essential to or Asia-Pacific future,” said Campbell.
The $170- million terminal project, with a design capacity of 500,000 TEUs (20 foot equivalent units), has been funded by Maher Terminals, CN Rail, the Province of British Columbia, the Government of Canada, and the Prince Rupert Port Authority.
Construction began two years ago and was completed on time and on budget.
“The expanded and enhanced port brings Prince Rupert new potential and growth,” said Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond.
“I look forward to the port’s friendship with Ningbo expanding into broader opportunities for the community as a whole.
While few of the locals ever actually caught a glimpse, let alone had a word with any of the high profile Politicians and Business leaders that were here to observe the launching of Canada’s newest gateway, the stories and speeches are still being recounted across the town.
The Daily News featured the days events as would be expected in Thursday’s paper, with three items dedicated to all matters of the port.
PORT AND PARTNERS DELIVER CELEBRATION TO REMEMBER
Senior politicians and business leaders congregate in city for grand opening
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Pages one and three
In 50 years, the opening of the Fairview Container Terminal will carry the same importance to the continent as the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway, said British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell.
“This is the future of British Columbia and Canada, here in Prince Rupert. This is the Asia Pacific, “said Campbell, during the grand opening of the Fairview Container Terminal yesterday.
The sticky smell of asphalt and concrete and the sounds of construction were still in the air as dignitaries from as far away as Illinois and Ningbo Port, China, gathered to celebrate the opening of the $170 million intermodal facility.
The facility will see 500,000 TEU’s (average sized containers) moved on to CN Rail Cars. It is the beginning of a two-phase project that could see up to two million containers moved through the port by 2010.
Campbell said he believes that in time, people will take for granted the amount of work that it took to open the new trade corridor, but the long lasting impact will be just as significant as when Canada opened its corridor for Atlantic trade.
For Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond, it was an important turning moment in the town’s history.
“It is so appropriate that while we are sitting here, there are people out there working,” said Pond, looking at the backdrop of workers still pressing pavement as the ceremony was underway.
“There are local Prince Rupert people working here in this port and they are bringing home real pay cheques to families that need them.”
David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Asia Pacific Gateway, was accompanied to the event by Rona Ambrose, Minister for Western Economic Diversification.
Emerson said it is the power of partnerships that have brought the project to fruition.
“The people who have been here on the ground when times were not good – and more often that not in the past 20 years, they weren’t – I want to thank you and recognize you,” said Emerson.
The former local public servant first began hearing about opportunities for the port from then-mayor Peter Lester.
“But the development of Prince Rupert is only part of the Fairview story. The government of Canada is investing more than $100 million in the gateway initiative… with 80 per cent of the investments right here in British Columbia,” said Emerson.
He described the gateway as a way to move out of the boom-and-bust cycle that has characterized the region in the past. The gateway, he said, will act as “a transformative catalyst for trade whose impact will be felt across the West,” reaching into central Canada and down in to the United States.
“We will see a wave of jobs and value, creating opportunities for business of all kinds as the Asia Pacific Gateway delivers world-class competitive conditions along the full reach of its corridors,” said Emerson.
At the ceremony, hereditary chief Clarence Nelson and the Sm-Haalyt dancers of the Tsimshian Nation welcomed participants.
“Our canoes are being replaced… by the huge ships bringing in containers,” said Nelson. “We are encouraged by the opportunities our generation has to be part of the progress.
“Yes, there are changes but we the Tsimshian will be here. We will accept it by encouraging our future generations to be part of it with education.”
The event was marked by greetings and well-wishes from the mayors of Chicago and Memphis, the state of Illinois as well as Jim Foote, executive vice-president of sales and marketing CN Rail and David McLean, chairman of CN Rail and M. Brian Maher, president and CEO of Maher Terminals.
COSCO the first shipping line to sign on to use the terminal, was also represented, by Feng Zhang, COSCO Container Lines America, executive vice-president as was RREEF Deutsch Bank. The company with a portfolio of investments with 59 billion euros was represented by, Shaun Mays, CEO of RREEF infrastructure.
(for more from these partners, see tomorrow’s Daily News)
Dale MacLean, chairman of the Prince Rupert Port Authority, said the outcome of the project was the result of “vision, resolve and leadership, but also courage.”
“We are only really beginning to explore all the future possibilities of what Prince Rupert can grown and become.”
CHINESE PORT IS ON HAND TO CEMENT NEW TIES
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Pages one and three
The Port of Prince Rupert took time during the grand opening celebration to officially mark the beginning of a relationship with the Port of Ningbo, China.
The agreement will see the two ports exchange economic and technical information, including information on development and construction, and they will promote the development of shipping opportunities between one another.
“We look forward to exchanging valuable information with our new friends in Ningbo – information that will allow us both to grow and succeed over the coming years,” said Prince Rupert Port Authority president and CEO Don Krusel.
The Port of Ningbo is situation south of Shanghai, across Hangzhou Bay, and is considered to be the best natural deep-water port in China. Ningbo has posted the highest growth rates in China since 1998, drawing increasing levels of foreign investment and shipping traffic.”
A delegation from Ningbo came forward to sign the documents and Krusel pointed out the clause that has both parties working to seek a shipping line to move goods between the two ports in the future.
In 2006, the Port of Ningbo reached a throughput capacity of seven million TEUs and handled more that 300 million tons of cargo. Ningbo port has established trade relationships with more than 600 ports, including regular international container lines to Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore, USA and Europe.
Premier Gordon Campbell praised the agreement. Twinning ports and communities with Asia has been one of the key recommendations of the province’s Asia Pacific Trade Council – it recently encouraged communities to develop strong sister-city relationships as a way to get concrete results in the drive to create additional trade volumes.
“We have partners investing in the future of Prince Rupert because they see the new opportunities and the value of its strategic location,” said Campbell.
“The Fairview Container Terminal opens up a new high-speed, congestion-free trade corridor between Asia and North America.
“The friendship agreement between the two ports opens up an important relationship we also want to grow,” Campbell said.’’
“Whether commercial, municipal, or cultural, these relationships are essential to or Asia-Pacific future,” said Campbell.
The $170- million terminal project, with a design capacity of 500,000 TEUs (20 foot equivalent units), has been funded by Maher Terminals, CN Rail, the Province of British Columbia, the Government of Canada, and the Prince Rupert Port Authority.
Construction began two years ago and was completed on time and on budget.
“The expanded and enhanced port brings Prince Rupert new potential and growth,” said Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond.
“I look forward to the port’s friendship with Ningbo expanding into broader opportunities for the community as a whole.
QUESTIONS SURROUND PROPOSED DEAL
Although minister David Emerson is keen to present it to cabinet
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Pages one and three
Representatives of the First Nations community of Lax Kw’alaams were noticeably absent from the celebration at the Fairview Container Terminal yesterday, prompting some to wonder if there is a rift following an agreement with the federal government.
While Clifford White, chief councilor for Gitxaala, and Harold Leighton, chief councilor for Metlakatla, were both in attendance, Gary Reece, chief councilor of Lax Kw’alaams was not.
Earlier in the day, the Mix reported an agreement had been reached in regards to consultation and accommodation between the federal government and the three First Nations during a meeting in Vancouver earlier this week.
However, Clifford White, chief councilor of Kitkatla said he did not believe Lax Kw’alaams had given its approval.
“We do have an agreement in place. We are working out the major details. It’s between Metlakatla, Kitkatla and Lax Kw’alaams. I think Lax Kw’alaams hasn’t made a deal yet,” said Clifford White, chief councilor for the Gitxaala Nation.
David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and the Pacific Gateway, said he has received the report – which includes recommendations for an agreement – from special consultant Robert Plecas and will be taking it forward to cabinet for government approval.
“I have now met with Mr. Plecas and with a couple of the chiefs and we are quite pleased with the report. I am going to be taking it in to the cabinet process,” he said.
He said he was unaware of any discontent surrounding the report and had told the chiefs he would indicate his strong support for the recommendations when it comes to cabinet.
“I know there was a little reticence to visibly support what we were doing because the lawyers were saying if you look too happy it’s going to undermine a potential court case. The whole idea of this was to avoid court cases and to get on with the business of building partnerships that benefit First Nations along with the rest of the community,” said Emerson.
Plecas has spent the past three months working with the three bands to come up with recommendations for an agreement on consultation and accommodation.
Both Lax Kw’alaams and Metlakatla have been pursuing what they see as a failure by the federal government to consult adequately through the Supreme Court of Canada.
“These discussions have been going on for a long time and have been tangled up in lawyers – whenever you get lawyers involved, movement becomes almost impossible,” said Emerson.
“We agreed six months ago that we would talk in a more business-like way to create partnerships. This is not a resolution to land claim, this is a partnership and we want them to participate in the wealth-creation opportunities around this.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Turn out the lights, the party's over!
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Prince Rupert's celebration day came to an end about 9:25 on Wednesday night, as the fireworks show came to a conclusion after entertaining the throngs for about 25 minutes.
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Seen on the left the traffic line up heading towards the Scott road gates of the container port. Twenty minutes later, all that was left was the clean up detail...
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(photos captured from the Port of Prince Rupert webcam at the Fairview Terminal)
A new era launched for the North Coast
One hundred years after Charles Melville Hays laid out plans for a great port on the Pacific; Don Krusel sealed the deal and officially opened a transportation gateway that very well may redefine world trade through Canada.
Hays probably never imagined the idea of containers of goods flowing through his still developing port, and as events would show history intervened, taking his life and laying low his dreams and aspirations for a small community on the north coast of British Columbia. It would be 100 years later, that Hays' dream of a world port on the Pacific would come to realization.
On a spectacularly sunny Wednesday morning, Krusel the President and CEO of the Port of Prince Rupert in front of the assembled dignitaries from far and wide, officially declared that "our stars have aligned" and that the Fairview Container Port as open for business.
Hays probably never imagined the idea of containers of goods flowing through his still developing port, and as events would show history intervened, taking his life and laying low his dreams and aspirations for a small community on the north coast of British Columbia. It would be 100 years later, that Hays' dream of a world port on the Pacific would come to realization.
On a spectacularly sunny Wednesday morning, Krusel the President and CEO of the Port of Prince Rupert in front of the assembled dignitaries from far and wide, officially declared that "our stars have aligned" and that the Fairview Container Port as open for business.
Speeches filled the fresh morning air, declarations of a job well done and the promise of even better days to come for the port that only three years ago seemed to be on the verge of extinction.
The dedication to containerization that Krusel and his team kept to through the darkest of years brought the Port of Prince Rupert back to life, reinvigorating a community as they did. With the promise of direct and indirect jobs to come, the port now becomes the lynch pin of the community’s economy, as the containers arrive and depart over the next number of years, local residents will be hoping that the anticipated expansion of the local economy comes to pass.
With phase one now complete and soon to be operational with the arrival the first container ship on Halloween, the region stands ready to reap the harvest of anticipated spin off industries and opportunities that they promise.
The port is expected to quickly reach its capacity level as word spreads of the congestion free transit from ship to rail and on into the heartland of North America, plans are already well along for an expansion to phase two, a project that would bring Prince Rupert almost on par with Vancouver as far as through put capabilities for the world economy.
Full credit for today’s opening belongs with the offices of the Port of Prince Rupert, while many governmental and industrial partners joined in to help the project along the way, it was the vision and long hours that the Port put into the development that have resulted in today’s celebrations. One hundred years later, perhaps we're on the cusp of fulfilling Hays' long sought dream.
The opening has attracted a fair amount of attention in the national press, below are some of the highlights of the days news coverage of Prince Rupert’s arrival on the world stage.
Canadian Press-New container terminal opens in expanded port of Prince Rupert
The dedication to containerization that Krusel and his team kept to through the darkest of years brought the Port of Prince Rupert back to life, reinvigorating a community as they did. With the promise of direct and indirect jobs to come, the port now becomes the lynch pin of the community’s economy, as the containers arrive and depart over the next number of years, local residents will be hoping that the anticipated expansion of the local economy comes to pass.
With phase one now complete and soon to be operational with the arrival the first container ship on Halloween, the region stands ready to reap the harvest of anticipated spin off industries and opportunities that they promise.
The port is expected to quickly reach its capacity level as word spreads of the congestion free transit from ship to rail and on into the heartland of North America, plans are already well along for an expansion to phase two, a project that would bring Prince Rupert almost on par with Vancouver as far as through put capabilities for the world economy.
Full credit for today’s opening belongs with the offices of the Port of Prince Rupert, while many governmental and industrial partners joined in to help the project along the way, it was the vision and long hours that the Port put into the development that have resulted in today’s celebrations. One hundred years later, perhaps we're on the cusp of fulfilling Hays' long sought dream.
The opening has attracted a fair amount of attention in the national press, below are some of the highlights of the days news coverage of Prince Rupert’s arrival on the world stage.
Canadian Press-New container terminal opens in expanded port of Prince Rupert
Financial Post- CN executive sees plenty of potential for growth
Financial Post- Prince Rupert's hope
Edmonton Journal- New B.C. port boosts city's role as Asian gateway
Opinion 250- Prince Rupert Celebrating Opening of Terminal
Opinion 250- On Time, On Budget ! New Port ready
Prince George Citizen- Rupert port terminal opens tonight
Cargonews Asia- New Prince Rupert port opens faster shipping route
Globe and Mail- New B.C. container terminal opens
As would be expected on a day such as this, The Daily News featured the debut of the Fairview Container Port as their front page story in this evening's paper.
NEW PORT SET TO COME ALIVE DURING OPENING CELEBRATION
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
The Daily News
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Page One
As the ships and trains begin arriving at the new Fairview Container Terminal next month, Don Krusel, president and CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority will be looking forward to the economic activity expected to follow.
"Once we get the opening ceremonies behind us, most of the focus will be on preparing for the first container vessel to arrive sometime in late October. Maher Terminals, as the operator of the terminal, will be making sure that the people and systems that are needed to operate the terminal are in top form for when that first ship arrives," said Krusel.
"After that first ship comes and goes, what most people can expect to see is the continuous and on-going pulse of activity, from a smooth-running transportation system where ships will come and go on a regular basis; where containers will be continuously loaded and unloaded from ships and trains; where trains, probably two trains per day in both directions, will come and go from the terminal.
"I hope and believe that what we will experience in this community once the terminal becomes operational, is the hum of an economic machine that will breathe new life into Prince Rupert."
The grand opening ceremonies for the Fairview Container Terminal take place starting at 11:30 p.m. and are by invitation. The 800 guests include Premier Gordon Campbell and David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Pacific Gateway.
Then, the community celebration gets underway at 5 p.m. with buses available to ferry people to the terminal from both the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre, starting at 4:30 p.m., and the Chevron bus stop at 5:30 p.m.
Vehicle traffic will also be permitted at the terminal. However, there is limited parking so people are being asked to carpool.
The evening's entertainment includes the official opening ceremony, food, a kids zone, displays by CN and the Canadian Border Services Agency, musical acts such as the Uzume Taiko drummers and a fireworks display at around 9:30 p.m.
Due to the influx of guests for the events, some 10 charter planes were expected this morning at the Prince Rupert airport in addition to the usual air traffic. Regular flights are booked full with incoming travellers.
And hotel rooms have become a rare commodity as the community fills up for the long-anticipated celebration.
The $170-million facility is a partnership between the port, CN Rail, Maher Terminals and the federal and provincial governments. The new gateway will allow traffic to move from ships on to rail cars that will carry goods into central North America.
COSCO has signed on as the first shipper that will use the terminal.
"The first ship will be some time during October. It isn't the clearest of indications but it depends on the alignment of vessels and different services and the calling at different ports," said Frans van Riemsdyk, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Maher Terminals.
"The facility is done and we are ready to start handling business."
While COSCO is the only shipper to publicly announce its intentions to use the facility, van Riemsdyk said it is very possible there will be other shippers sharing space on the COSCO vessels.
"COSCO is part of an alliance and they all seem to support each other at their various calls around the world so it is my expectation we would have some others joining the services."
You’re invited and you’ll have lots of company
The big day has arrived for Prince Rupert, with the much anticipated Grand Opening of the Fairview Container Port set to take place under sunny skies and warm temperatures.
With all of Prince Rupert’s print media providing extensive inserts to celebrate the event, it would be hard to say you didn’t know that something was happening. The Northern View published its 48 page tribute to changing times over the weekend, while the Daily News provided a twelve page insert in Tuesday’s paper to trace the development of the project.
The Community celebration will take place at the container port today with a wide range of entertainment and speeches planned at the event, which gets under way after 5. The evening will be capped off with a fireworks display at dusk (around 9:30 or so). With parking a bit of a premium at the container port site, Shuttle busses will be running through the afternoon and evening from the Civic Centre through downtown and on to the container port.
The Daily News featured the party plans as its front page story in Tuesday’s paper.
BIRTH OF PORT’S NEW ERA IS SET TO BE MARKED IN STYLE
Entire community and many visiting dignitaries invited to huge celebration
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Pages one and two
Fireworks above the giant container cranes and the sounds of Taiko drumming will help usher in a new beginning for the Fairview Container Terminal Wednesday night.
The Prince Rupert Port Authority is holding a community celebration at the terminal, starting around 5 p. m. that will focus on food, festivities and fun.
“From the point of view of the port and its partners, we sincerely appreciate the support we have gotten from the community and we want to share this achievement,” said Barry Bartlett, manager, corporate communications and public affairs for the Prince Rupert Port Authority.
The official grand opening of the Fairview Container Terminal marks a lengthy effort to open a new trade corridor between Asia and North America. For more on the history of the project, see today’s special supplement in the Daily News.
Transportation to the community event will take place by shuttle starting at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre parking lot at 4:30 p. m., the Second Avenue Chevron Gas Station Bus stop, beginning at 5:30 p.m, and the top of Scott road for local Fairview residents beginning at 5 p.m.
There will also be on-site parking available, but given the thousands of people expected at the event, people are really encouraged to car pool as much as possible.
“We are really asking people to car pool because space is limited. To make this enjoyable for residents of Prince Rupert and surrounding communities, we are shutting down paving for the event,” he said. “We want to make sure people have a safe, fun time.”
The event includes music by the Uzume Taiko drummers with their Asian beat, Tiller’s Folly, with Canadian Celtic folk music, the Pear Band, with some Prairie tunes, a Circle of Voices with a Midwest gospel sound and Jim Byrnes with his Memphis Blues tunes.
The idea, said Bartlett, is to reflect the opening of the trade corridor from Asia into North America using music.
There will be plenty for both kids and adults to see and do – the Canadian Border Services Agency will be on hand to display some of their detection gear, CN Rail will have one of the new 100 locomotives it purchased for the project on display as well as CN’s Little Obie, a full-scale model of a locomotive and caboose designed to teach kids rail safety.
There will be a kids zone for colouring, face painting artwork and tattoos as well as a lego port and display on the Asia Pacific Gateway corridor by Western Diversification.
During the evening, there will be presentations by the port authority, its partners and the city in recognition of the event and local food vendors will be on site.
In a surprise move, the Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ottawa will be docked at the new terminal for the event and the celebration also takes place on a Wednesday, so participants will get to view the Vision of the Seas cruise ship as she passes by.
At the end of the evening, around 9:30 p. m., fireworks will be set off over the harbour, lighting up the container cranes and HMCS Ottawa.
“It is designed for fun, festivities, food and fireworks,” Bartlett said. “This project is on time… with more than 800,000 hours of work without a serious accidents. The local suppliers and contractors, they feel a lot of ownership of this.”
Earlier in the day, the Prince Rupert Port Authority is also expecting some 800 invited guests to attend the ceremonial ribbon cutting event, including high-ranking politicians and senior executives from Maher Terminals and CN Rail.
“This event is to mark, with our partners, stakeholders and supporters the creation of a new, high-speed trade corridor between Asia and North America. It hails a new era,” he said.
With all of Prince Rupert’s print media providing extensive inserts to celebrate the event, it would be hard to say you didn’t know that something was happening. The Northern View published its 48 page tribute to changing times over the weekend, while the Daily News provided a twelve page insert in Tuesday’s paper to trace the development of the project.
The Community celebration will take place at the container port today with a wide range of entertainment and speeches planned at the event, which gets under way after 5. The evening will be capped off with a fireworks display at dusk (around 9:30 or so). With parking a bit of a premium at the container port site, Shuttle busses will be running through the afternoon and evening from the Civic Centre through downtown and on to the container port.
The Daily News featured the party plans as its front page story in Tuesday’s paper.
BIRTH OF PORT’S NEW ERA IS SET TO BE MARKED IN STYLE
Entire community and many visiting dignitaries invited to huge celebration
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Pages one and two
Fireworks above the giant container cranes and the sounds of Taiko drumming will help usher in a new beginning for the Fairview Container Terminal Wednesday night.
The Prince Rupert Port Authority is holding a community celebration at the terminal, starting around 5 p. m. that will focus on food, festivities and fun.
“From the point of view of the port and its partners, we sincerely appreciate the support we have gotten from the community and we want to share this achievement,” said Barry Bartlett, manager, corporate communications and public affairs for the Prince Rupert Port Authority.
The official grand opening of the Fairview Container Terminal marks a lengthy effort to open a new trade corridor between Asia and North America. For more on the history of the project, see today’s special supplement in the Daily News.
Transportation to the community event will take place by shuttle starting at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre parking lot at 4:30 p. m., the Second Avenue Chevron Gas Station Bus stop, beginning at 5:30 p.m, and the top of Scott road for local Fairview residents beginning at 5 p.m.
There will also be on-site parking available, but given the thousands of people expected at the event, people are really encouraged to car pool as much as possible.
“We are really asking people to car pool because space is limited. To make this enjoyable for residents of Prince Rupert and surrounding communities, we are shutting down paving for the event,” he said. “We want to make sure people have a safe, fun time.”
The event includes music by the Uzume Taiko drummers with their Asian beat, Tiller’s Folly, with Canadian Celtic folk music, the Pear Band, with some Prairie tunes, a Circle of Voices with a Midwest gospel sound and Jim Byrnes with his Memphis Blues tunes.
The idea, said Bartlett, is to reflect the opening of the trade corridor from Asia into North America using music.
There will be plenty for both kids and adults to see and do – the Canadian Border Services Agency will be on hand to display some of their detection gear, CN Rail will have one of the new 100 locomotives it purchased for the project on display as well as CN’s Little Obie, a full-scale model of a locomotive and caboose designed to teach kids rail safety.
There will be a kids zone for colouring, face painting artwork and tattoos as well as a lego port and display on the Asia Pacific Gateway corridor by Western Diversification.
During the evening, there will be presentations by the port authority, its partners and the city in recognition of the event and local food vendors will be on site.
In a surprise move, the Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ottawa will be docked at the new terminal for the event and the celebration also takes place on a Wednesday, so participants will get to view the Vision of the Seas cruise ship as she passes by.
At the end of the evening, around 9:30 p. m., fireworks will be set off over the harbour, lighting up the container cranes and HMCS Ottawa.
“It is designed for fun, festivities, food and fireworks,” Bartlett said. “This project is on time… with more than 800,000 hours of work without a serious accidents. The local suppliers and contractors, they feel a lot of ownership of this.”
Earlier in the day, the Prince Rupert Port Authority is also expecting some 800 invited guests to attend the ceremonial ribbon cutting event, including high-ranking politicians and senior executives from Maher Terminals and CN Rail.
“This event is to mark, with our partners, stakeholders and supporters the creation of a new, high-speed trade corridor between Asia and North America. It hails a new era,” he said.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
They’re throwing a party!
The grand opening of the Fairview Container Port is only a few days away and with over 1400 invitations made, there should be a who’s who of shipping, transportation and politics gathering on the docks of Fairview.
There are a number of festivities planned for the day, which will get underway at five pm on Wednesday, There will be no direct vehicle access to the terminal but free shuttles will be running from the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre. Parking will also be available at the Fairview cemetery. The grand opening marks the one and only time that the Terminal will be open to the general public.
The Daily News rattled off the invitee list in the Friday paper, all preparing to head for Rupert on September 12 to see the construction of phase one of the ambitious project come to a most anticipated completion.
WORLD SET TO CALL ON RUPERT FOR PORT'S GRAND OPENING
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Friday, September 07, 2007
Pages one and three
With some 1,400 invitations in the mail and a massive community celebration in the works, representatives from across the northwestern corridor and beyond will be in Prince Rupert to witness the ribbon-cutting for the Fairview Container Terminal.
Dignitaries scheduled to attend Wednesday include senior Maher Terminal executives, M. Brian Maher, chairman and CEO of Maher Terminals among them. Maher is the largest container-handling company on the East Coast of North America and the port's new terminal partner.
Top-level executives from CN Rail and CN Rail's customers have been confirmed, as have David Emerson, federal Minister of International Trade and the Pacific Gateway, and Kevin Falcon, the provincial Minister of Transportation. Both Emerson and Falcon spent weeks overseas promoting the terminal as a new trade route between Asia and North America.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has not yet confirmed his attendance at the opening of Canada's newest international gateway, however the Prime Minister is not in the habit of announcing his plans in advance due to security concerns.
Don Krusel, president and CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority, said the list of those invited truly represents the army of people who have supported the project during the past decade.
"In reality, the opening ceremonies is a way to thank all of those many individuals and groups that participated in making the Fairview Container Terminal a reality," said Krusel.
"Our invitation list exceeded 1,400 people. That is an indication of just how large of an army we had working to build this dream into a reality."
The list also reflects those communities that stand to build stronger economies through the opening of the new trade corridor.
Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel and the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation have chartered a plane and will be stopping in Prince George to pick up Prince George Mayor Colin Kinsley in order to attend the historic event.
In addition to investing in the new Fairview Terminal, CN Rail is also building new container-stuffing facilities in both of those northern cities to handle the volume generated by the container-handling terminal.
"This is something that Prince George and Prince Rupert have been working on for over a decade," said Kinsley.
"Everybody recognizing the port was underutilized and containerization was the goal, everybody recognizing that it would open up an entirely new and the most efficient trade route between Asia and North America," said Kinsley.
Not only will the new port provide the opportunity to move goods inbound but it will also provide northern communities like Prince George with the opportunity to manufacture new products to send overseas at a competitive backhaul rate.
Northern B.C. is rich not only in its timber supply, but in its mineral supply, said Kinsley, opening a world of opportunity. Products made from pine beetle wood are already being shipped in containers through the Port of Vancouver, he said.
Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond said that now is a time residents have been anticipating for a long while.
"This is fantastic. This is something so many people have worked so hard and so long on. Although the board and staff at the port have been the lead, there have just been an army of people working on this from the premier and prime minister's office to local government officials, CN and Maher," said Pond.
"It has been an all-encompassing effort and to see phase one celebrated is very exciting."
See next week's Daily News for details of the community celebration of the opening event.
There are a number of festivities planned for the day, which will get underway at five pm on Wednesday, There will be no direct vehicle access to the terminal but free shuttles will be running from the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre. Parking will also be available at the Fairview cemetery. The grand opening marks the one and only time that the Terminal will be open to the general public.
The Daily News rattled off the invitee list in the Friday paper, all preparing to head for Rupert on September 12 to see the construction of phase one of the ambitious project come to a most anticipated completion.
WORLD SET TO CALL ON RUPERT FOR PORT'S GRAND OPENING
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Friday, September 07, 2007
Pages one and three
With some 1,400 invitations in the mail and a massive community celebration in the works, representatives from across the northwestern corridor and beyond will be in Prince Rupert to witness the ribbon-cutting for the Fairview Container Terminal.
Dignitaries scheduled to attend Wednesday include senior Maher Terminal executives, M. Brian Maher, chairman and CEO of Maher Terminals among them. Maher is the largest container-handling company on the East Coast of North America and the port's new terminal partner.
Top-level executives from CN Rail and CN Rail's customers have been confirmed, as have David Emerson, federal Minister of International Trade and the Pacific Gateway, and Kevin Falcon, the provincial Minister of Transportation. Both Emerson and Falcon spent weeks overseas promoting the terminal as a new trade route between Asia and North America.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has not yet confirmed his attendance at the opening of Canada's newest international gateway, however the Prime Minister is not in the habit of announcing his plans in advance due to security concerns.
Don Krusel, president and CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority, said the list of those invited truly represents the army of people who have supported the project during the past decade.
"In reality, the opening ceremonies is a way to thank all of those many individuals and groups that participated in making the Fairview Container Terminal a reality," said Krusel.
"Our invitation list exceeded 1,400 people. That is an indication of just how large of an army we had working to build this dream into a reality."
The list also reflects those communities that stand to build stronger economies through the opening of the new trade corridor.
Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel and the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation have chartered a plane and will be stopping in Prince George to pick up Prince George Mayor Colin Kinsley in order to attend the historic event.
In addition to investing in the new Fairview Terminal, CN Rail is also building new container-stuffing facilities in both of those northern cities to handle the volume generated by the container-handling terminal.
"This is something that Prince George and Prince Rupert have been working on for over a decade," said Kinsley.
"Everybody recognizing the port was underutilized and containerization was the goal, everybody recognizing that it would open up an entirely new and the most efficient trade route between Asia and North America," said Kinsley.
Not only will the new port provide the opportunity to move goods inbound but it will also provide northern communities like Prince George with the opportunity to manufacture new products to send overseas at a competitive backhaul rate.
Northern B.C. is rich not only in its timber supply, but in its mineral supply, said Kinsley, opening a world of opportunity. Products made from pine beetle wood are already being shipped in containers through the Port of Vancouver, he said.
Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond said that now is a time residents have been anticipating for a long while.
"This is fantastic. This is something so many people have worked so hard and so long on. Although the board and staff at the port have been the lead, there have just been an army of people working on this from the premier and prime minister's office to local government officials, CN and Maher," said Pond.
"It has been an all-encompassing effort and to see phase one celebrated is very exciting."
See next week's Daily News for details of the community celebration of the opening event.
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