TUESDAY
S I N C E
MAY 20, 2014
1 8 9 5
Vol. 119, Issue 77
105
$
INCLUDING G.S.T.
Follow us online
Bertolucci stars in Oil Kings’ win Page 11
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
Airport to get operational facelift
HIGHLAND DANCING IN THE SILVER CITY
Transport Canada audit has led to growing improvements: manager BY VALERIE ROSSI Times Staff
Securing the landing strip and ensuring staff is up to speed on current practices are only a few points on a growing checklist, according to the Trail Regional Airport's manager. Though business may seem as usual at Trail's facility, airport manager Don Goulard has been working diligently behind the scenes to rectify findings from a Transport Canada audit that will ultimately modernize the facility and offer more to its patrons. This work is being recorded and the facility's previous owner, the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary, will receive the bill for items relating to these findings. The Process Validation Inspection completed this winter found discrepancies around policies, processes and procedures with respect to quality assurance, airport operator's obligations, document and records management and training. Goulard has been addressing these issues through a Corrective Action Plan, he assured Trail council during the city's last regular meeting. “I knew what I was getting into and I'm happy that I did,” he said of his two busy months of work to date. “I still think this is a great opportunity to take an airport that was really kind of neglected for many years and bring it up to current standards and really make it something that the community can be proud of.” The audit found that the Trail airport was not in compliance in three "moderate" cases and one "major" finding. See FENCING, Page 3
ART HARRISON PHOTO
Over 60 dancers ranging in age from four to 21-years old gathered at the Trail Memorial Centre gym Saturday for the annual Kate E. Shaw Memorial Highland Dance competition. Dancers from the Kootenays, all around the B.C. interior and Alberta came for the one-day competition and workshops sponsored by the Trail Caledonian Society.
City’s security system locks woman in bathroom BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
A quick trip to the biffy had a Gyro Park visitor locked in the ladies washroom Wednesday evening and prompted a call to 911 for rescue. Evening skies were clear, so Ursula Abresch decided to stroll further down the park's walkway but first she ducked into the women's facilities just before 8 p.m. The restroom lights were already off but the Trail photographer went about her business before giving the heavy steel door a push thinking she would soon be out and
on her way. When the metal entrance door wouldn't budge, Abresch jiggled the handle and was startled by a loud alarm that rang for a short period, but the door remained locked. Feeling slightly panicked and dressed only in a thin sweater, she sized up the draughty washroom and realized she could be in for a cold night. “At first I was thinking I am going to spend the night in the washroom,” she said. “But it was still early and people were around so I kept pounding on the door and
yelling for help.” A passerby heard her pleas for assistance and through the door reassured Abresch he had a cellphone and would call 911 to get her out. The fire department was first to the scene, she explained, but once the firemen ascertained she had no injuries, the crew chose not to break down the door. Instead, Larry Abenante, Trail's public works manager was called, and he summoned the arena's night attendant to Gyro Park with keys to unlock the door. By that time, the security company had
arrived and freed Abresch from the facility. “By the time I got outside a bunch of people had gathered,” she said. “And I got to shake everyone's hand and thank the man who called for help.” From start to finish the incident lasted under a half hour, but continued to weigh on Abresch's mind Thursday afternoon. “It was very early and there were still kids around,” she noted. “There was no warning or sound to let me know the doors would lock, so it would be very easy for this to happen to someone else.” See PROCEDURE, Page 3
Columbia Power has been named one of BC’s Top Employers for 2014. Visit columbiapower.org to learn why Columbia Power is one of the best places to work in BC.
Contact the Times: Phone: FineLine250-368-8551 Technologies 62937 Index 9 Fax:JN250-368-8550 80% 1.5 BWR NU Newsroom: 250-364-1242 Canada Post, Contract number 42068012