WFP seen unresolved on plans for downtown mill site

VANCOUVER (Scrap Monster): The Nanaimo Port Authority (NPA) has announced that it will soon begin discussions with Western Forest Products (WFP) on potential plans for the downtown Nanaimo site. Earlier in Dec ’14, the company had permanently closed down the sawmill that operated at the site.

According to Bernie Dumas, Executive Director, NPA, the forest company could lease the site for another two years. On the other hand, complete decommissioning of the mill may raise other issues such as contamination which the company had to address before the site is handed over to the Port Authority.

WFP spokesperson denied commenting on the future plans for the site. However, she stated that the company is in the process of complete dismantling and cleaning up of the site. All the 62 employees who were employed at the Nanaimo mill were offered jobs at other WFP mills. Among them, 49 were transferred to WFP’s Dukepoint mill and 6 to Saltair mill. The remaining 7 employees had decided to retire.

The Dukepoint sawmill is currently undergoing a massive $10 million modernization project which is nearing its completion. The huge investments are likely to benefit the company in production of additional grades of lumber. Majority of the transferred employees will be part of second shift at that mill.

Earlier in 2008, the downtown mill was shut down for almost two years. It was reopened in 2010 with single production line.