By Keith Powell
Sparwood: Teck Sells Elk Valley Coal Assets
Teck Resources Limited (“Teck”) has announced that it has agreed to sell its entire interest in its steelmaking coal business, Elk Valley Resources (“EVR”), through a sale of a majority stake to Glencore plc (“Glencore”) for an implied enterprise value of US$9.0 billion, and a sale of a minority stake to Nippon Steel Corporation (“NSC”).
Teck will continue to operate the steelmaking coal business and will retain all cash flows from EVR until closing of the Glencore transaction, estimated to be US$1 billion. Following the closing of that transaction, Teck will have no further financial interest in EVR.
Kimberley: New Manager at Save-On-Foods
The Save-On-Foods store in Kimberley welcomed a new manager over the summer. Brad Sayer became the manager in July. He has been with Save-On-Foods for over six years. Brad has held a number of managerial positions for Pattison Food Group throughout the Kootenays.
The new 25,000 square foot Kimberley store opened in the spring of 2021. Save-On-Foods and Overwaitea have been operating in Kimberley since 1957.
Kimberley: City CAO Leaving Kimberley
The City of Kimberley’s Chief Administrative Officer is leaving the position after more than 10 years of service. Scott Sommerville has officially accepted the CAO position with a municipality on Vancouver Island and will leave his position with the City effective immediately.
Sommerville reflected on the change ahead, stating “I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have raised my family in Kimberley over the last 10 years. Now that my kids are off to university, I have accepted a CAO position on Vancouver Island to be closer to family. I will miss the residents who are proud to call Kimberley home, the committed Council members, and the amazing team of City workers.” He concluded, “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve you all.”
Kimberley mayor Mayor Don McCormick expressed gratitude to Sommerville for his efforts as CAO, “We thank Scott for his commitment to Kimberley and wish him all the best in his new community.”
Cranbrook: Ed Talk Features Two Kootenay Authors
The Cranbrook History Centre will host a special Ed Talk this week called Trains, Planes and Automobiles.
West Kootenay author Terry Gainer will release his new book called ‘The Soo Line’s Famous Trains to Canada’ which is a fascinating look at a bygone era of luxury train travel in Western Canada. Terry has previously published two other books, When Trains Ruled the Rockies and When Trains Ruled the Kootenays.
He will be joined by Cranbrook-based author and publisher, Keith G. Powell who will also present his new historical novel Koocanusa Burning as well as the new 120-page coffee-table-style book Abandoned Kootenays.
The event will be held in the Royal Alexandra Hall at the Cranbrook History Centre 57 Van Horne St South, at 7 p.m. On Wednesday, November 22, 2023.