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Guests cheer Minnova opening By Greg Huncault the News The speeches were not like the long, winding road that leads to the mine where an estimated 300 peo- ple gathered to celebrate its open- ing last Wednesday. Perhaps some took it as a posi- tive sign when guests and speakers officially opened Minnova's Winston Lake Division Mine dur- ing a beautiful afternoon on July 2 Area residents were bused or drove to the mine site just west of Schreiber to hear mine officials and politicians speak not only of the difficulties experienced in estab- lishing the zinc and copper mine, but also of the economic impact this new major player will have on the local economy. John Smrke, Minnova's super- intendent of Employee Relations at the Winston Lake mine, hosted the day's events and introduced com- pany officials and provincial and federal politicians. Sean Conway, minister of Mines, said the new mine is an affirmative sign for the industry in general in addition to the Northwest. The minister was on a two-day tour of the Northshore with Minister of Colleges and Univer- sities, Lyn McLeod, when he Terrace = - i reiber attended the official opening cere- monies of the base metal mine. "It has been eight years since the last base metal opening in Ontario," said Conway. "We are seeing a very positive develop- ment." Conway said the government is committed to stimulating develop- ment in Northwestern Ontario and is encouraged by what has been happening in this area. The Mine Manager of the Winston Lake project, Tom Dickson, said that many provincial and federal ministries have been involved in developing the mine. Dickson mentioned the min- istries of Labour, Natural Two years after big K-C layoff, housing market on firm ground By Greg Huneault the News It was a frightening time for many when Kimberly-Clark - announced that cutbacks had to be made in order to maintain their operations in Terrace Bay. About 300 lay-offs occurred in 1986, and some are still feeling the effects of that tremendous readjust- ment. Schreiber listed five new housing starts in 1987. There was one new home built in Terrace Bay during that same period. Only now are residents starting to feel confident enough to make the committment to build or pur- chase new homes or buy homes of a higher value. Juris Zdanovskis, vice president and manager of Belluz Realty of Terrace Bay, says that the local housing market has essentially rebounded from the depressed mar- ket of two years ago. "The buying price is back to before the K-C announcement, and prices are reflecting normal increases," Zdanovskis told the News. He said that the average "story and a half K-C" style home can fetch about $60,000, while new homes average approximately $85,000 in Terrace Bay. In Schreiber, where Zdanovskis says there is currently a surplus of homes on the market, a typical older home averages about $50,000. Despite the market surplus of homes in Schreiber, the realtor said the area's market is stable. "Tt (the'housing market) is good in the sense that it's steady. People are willing to pay the going rate," he said. He added that he expects activity to decrease once most of the mine employees have settled. Terrace Schreiber Bay ; Despite the reduced number of housing starts, Zdanovskis said that volume was biggest last year. He attributed this to employees of Minnova's Winston Lake Division Mine who purchased existing homes. While only one building permit has been issued for a new residence in Terrace Bay so far this year, Schreiber is a hot-bed of real estate activity. Aurel Gauthier, clerk-treasurer of Schreiber, said that four building permits have been issued for five housing nnits this vear. Permits issued total $415,000 in Schreiber, and Gauthier said there are a few more permits that are expected to be signed. "We expect more this year. There are another nine (permits) this year that we are sure will go," said Gauthier. Box 715 a rage rh BELLUZ Realty Ltd. Simcoe Plaza Terrace Bay, Ontario POT 2Wo Lynn Hodder Sales Person .") Office 825-9393 Home 824-3429 additional units that will be built. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation purchased nine lots in Schreiber, and Gauthier said he is confident that the corpo- ration would like to proceed as quickly as possible with providing rent-assisted occupancy to'those who qualify. Gauthier agreed with Zdanovskis and said that the increased number of new mine employees has buoyed the local housing market. "There's no question that the market has been strengthened with the influx; it has created the demand." In Schreiber, both the township and private investors have a stake in the market. The township has an additional 10 serviced lots this year, and Gauthier said that all but one have been sold. Zdanovskis said that, although "there is nothing gigantic, there has been a continuous influx of people building in Rossport." He said that people are relocating from the area and the four or five real estate deals on the go are more than usual. With a comparatively solid local employment base, low interest rates and a stable national econo- my, it appears that the local hous- ing market will not experience any unusual or drastic changes in the next while. Still, some like Gauthier wonder how much is too much when he talks about the township's inten- tions to develop more lots next Resources, Environment and Transportation and Communication © as some that have played key roles in helping to bring the mine to the commercial production phase. Pre-production costs of the mine totalled $72-million before the con- centrator made. its first concentrate on January 15, 1988. Despite the advanced mining technology currently being used, Minnova's Winston Lake Division Mine still requires trained and knowledgeable employees. Dickson said that of the 140 employees presently working at the mine and living in Terrace Bay, Schreiber and Rossport, 25 per cent have been hired locally. More are expected to be hired during the next month. It was a joyous celebration for mine employees and officials, and it was the culmination of years of exploration and development work. . However, it was not achieved without a price. Two workers died in 1987 in separate accidents. The first occurred in July when a contractor's miner fell down a raise with his partner after a bracket attaching the hoisting rope to the mechanized stage they were work- ing from broke. The second fatality occurred in December, 1987 when another con- tractor's employee lost an arm in the tail pulley of a conveyor belt. Leave some for me!: Although these young guests may not have fully understood the significance of the official opening of Minnova's Winston Lake Division Mine, they fully appreciated the delicious food that was served after the ceremonies concluded. photo by Greg Huneault Ministers hear local concerns during visit By Greg Huneault the News Local politicians had an oppor- tunity last week to address their concerns to two cabinet ministers who were on an information gath- ering tour of Northshore communi- ties. Minister of Colleges and Universities Lyn McLeod, and Sean Conway, minister of Mines, visited Schreiber and Terrace Bay on July 26 to hear what local coun- cils had to say about a variety of issues and topics which affect their communities. The talks included concerns of the condition and maintenance of local highways, the potential for area tourism and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund. After the meeting, some local representatives said they felt the cabinet ministers for one and a half hours," Reeve Ramsay of Terrace Bay said. Minister Lyn McLeod As the only provincial cabinet minister from Northwestern Ontario, Mrs. McLeod, M.P.P. for Fort William, says she feels a spe- cial sense of responsibility toward the constituents in this area "'in the ' sense that each minister attempts to keep in touch with issues in the rid- ings in their area." She and Conway also travelled ear. "Whether the market can sus- --_ meeting was very productive. to communities such as Red Rock, He said there are a potential 11 _tain them is another thing," he said. "At least we had the ear of two See "Common" on page 7 SUPERIOR INSIDE i HIS WEEK SHORELINE : INSURANCE : : LTD. Super Senior Gettoknowhim Not for sale! The Ieéellstghk naviition Volunteer Senior Terrace Bay has a Minister says water at wanted to help peers- new police constable is not trade issue eevee Page 2 Page 3 Page 5. 825-9646