By Andru McCracken

The new Valemount sawmill will be able to cut cants up to 30 feet long, in hopes of tapping a lucrative market for big beams that few other mills are able to produce. /ANDRU MCCRACKEN

The hope was to have the new Valemount sawmill complete and in action by this fall, and while that is not going to happen, when the mill does fire up, it’s going to set itself apart from most others by being able to handle wood up to 30 feet long.

“The mill was originally designed for 20 feet. That means revamping the system,” said Allan Yaworsky of 4-U-ALL Trades Construction who is managing the build.

Alan Yaworsky pours over drawings in the hopes of catching anything that might slow down work. This morning he’s found that an engineer’s drawing of the mill building is mismatched with the concrete footings already poured and that the bolt plate pattern will not work. “I need a bigger desk,” said Yaworksy as he shuffles drawings.

Large squared timbers, or cants, will come out as long as 30 feet. Lumber that comes from the sides of the cants can be up to 24 feet in length.

“We had to do some redesign and configure what’s there,” he said.

Yaworsky said that being able to saw beams 10 feet longer will pay off in the end.

Tom Favel said the work is going well, except for the weather. He said that once they are done the mill will be a pleasure to maintain.
“The great thing about millwrights is they think of the maintenance part, other guys, they don’t,” said Tom.

“A lot of people want long long beams,” he said.

The call for beams, up to 24 inches by 24 inches is for post and beam construction.

“We’re pretty near finishing off the trim line, we have the chip system to do yet and we’re doing the foundation.’

Robbie Mclaren fabricates a set of stairs. /ANDRU MCCRACKEN

The building that will enclose the main saw mill has been ordered and is expected to be erected in December.

“The electricians are starting next week,” he said.

The mill is a Valemount Community Forest project.

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