Canfor Proposes Potential Industrial Uses for Closed Vavenby Sawmill Site

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Canfor Corporation has ruled out plans to operate the sawmill at the shuttered Vavenby mill site. However, the company representative suggested a handful of potential options to repurpose the site.

According to Stephen Mackie, senior vice-president of Canadian operations, the site is unlikely to operate as a sawmill again, as it lacks adequate fiber supply to support sawmill operations. However, there are other potential industrial uses for the site, he noted. The wide network of transportation infrastructure at the site coupled with access to skilled labor in the area makes it ideal for other industries.

While inviting suggestions on what the site could be used for, Canfor also clarified that the Thompson-Nicola Regional District and the Clearwater community will be informed on the developments.

In the meantime, Canfor is currently looking at various options towards short-term usage of the site that could generate local employment and provide economic benefits to communities. Further, Mackie reiterated the company’s ongoing commitment to support employees and contractors in the best way possible. This includes exploring job opportunities in Canfor’s other operations and collaborating with Interfor in identifying opportunities for employees and contractors.

The announced closure of Vavenby sawmill operations is expected to complete by July this year. The closure is feared to affect 172 unionized employees. Also, Interfor had announced to purchase the forest tenure associated with the sawmill from Canfor for a sum of $60 million.