Multi-million dollar project announced in Sparwood

1 of 2Announcement of the development in Sparwood on September 10. Left to right: Steven Droste of Joy Global, MLA Bill Bennett, Roland Kraemer of Schickedanz West, Sparwood mayor Lois Halko, MP David Wilks, Nic Milligan of Teck. — Robert Hawkins photo

2 of 2An illustration of the multi-faceted development proposed for Sparwood. — Photo courtesy District of Sparwood

The District of Sparwood is about to undergo some massive changes. Thanks to a multi-faceted investment program, the small community is about to expand to the tune of millions of dollars.

On September 10, 2013, B.C. Minister of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett announced details of the first step in an ambitious development and revitalization plan in Sparwood.

The first stage of the plan includes multi-million dollar investments from Joy Global, Schickedanz West, Teck’s coal business unit, BC Hydro and Noort Investments.

The developments by Teck and Joy Global are going to be meaningful for the community. Of the 4,200 people that live in Sparwood, a great number are employed at Teck's five coal mines in the Elk Valley. A large number are also employed by Joy Global, a key supplier to Teck.

Steve Droste, regional manager of western operations at Joy Global, said that currently the business is being run out of three separate buildings in and around Sparwood. So the company has committed $35 million to create a flagship corporate facility.

"The new facility will allow us to combine all our operations and departments into one facility, which will not only increase our efficiency but also allow us to provide better, more comprehensive and more economical services to our customers," said Droste.

Mayor of Sparwood Lois Halko said Joy Global has been such a big part of the community since they established there in 1987.

"I've seen the designs and it looks like a beautiful space-age design building," said Halko. "It is incredibly modern and state-of-the-art. We even had to create a separate bylaw to allow for the height of the building, which will be around 60 feet. It is only the third of this design in North America."

Joy Global supplies mining equipment including electric mining shovels, large wheel loaders and rotary blast hole drills. The new building will have room for an overhead crane.

"Right now, we just have a large tent with no overhead cranage," said Droste. "Every time we need a component moved or picked up we have to bring mobile cranes in to move it. It is extremely inefficient and frustrating for the workers."

Droste said they are hoping to start construction in 2014 and anticipate it will take 12 to 14 months to complete the work.

"Our employees are very passionate about what they do," said Droste. "This new facility will allow them to really serve our customers better. The overhead cranes will allow for more efficient positioning of some of these large structures. That will enable us to perform better welding procedures.

"Also the environment the employees will be working in—it will be sheltered and the air will be filtered. So not only will it allow them to do their jobs better, but they'll be doing it in a much better, more comfortable environment."

Teck also has a part in the multi-faceted investment and development project. The company has acquired eight acres of land off Highway 3 for future development.

Halko said that Teck will build next to Joy Global's new facility, with plans to construct a main office and administration building. Right now, Teck's offices in Sparwood are spread out at six different locations. The new building will be able to unite Teck's employees under one roof.

"This is huge for Sparwood in terms of business economic development," said Halko. "This has not happened in Sparwood since the town was incorporated in 1966. This is the biggest, most significant economic development occurrence we've ever seen."

Other aspects of the development in Sparwood include a $14 million investment by Schickedanz West to build a hotel, retail space and restaurant. BC Hydro will contribute approximately $290,000 towards the cost to relocate the existing overhead power line to underground in the vicinity of the planned development in Sparwood. Noort Investments will spend $500,000 to redesign and develop the existing shopping mall, including new frontages, a parking area and internal improvements. In addition, the District of Sparwood will be creating a new intersection and pedestrian walkways at the junction of Highway 3 and Highway 43.