A spokesman for the Vaagan Fibre sawmill in West Midway says the operation remains turnkey should the lumber market change.
In an interview with Vista Radio, Dan Macmaster says there are no plans to close or sell the mill, describing the current situation as an “indefinite shutdown.”
Vaagan Fibre announced in early January operations would cease affecting 85 employees, contractors, vendors and suppliers. The operation wound down by mid-February.
Macmaster was the mill manager prior to its shutdown. He is now forest manager for the Osoyoos Indian Band but still conducts government advocacy on behalf of Vaagan Fibre.
“There’s no plans at all for this mill to close permanently nor to sell the mill. There’s nothing in the works for that at all,” he said.
With no tenure, the mill has to rely on buying logs on the open market, and the market right now doesn’t make operating the mill a profitable venture, Macmaster explained.
If the market does change, he says the saws could be buzzing again in short order.
“If I were to look ahead, I think there’s still opportunity for the doors to open again. The sawmill’s in great working order. There’s a small staff there that kinda keeps things in preparation for some kind of opening. You know of course security, and just making sure that the mill and the yard are safe,” Macmaster said.
As for getting help from the government, he’s had “numerous, almost weekly” meetings with provincial officials.
“But as far as any kind of life raft in the last six months, nothing has been presented to me or the company.”