Kenora Forest Products Ltd. is hosting a public information meeting on a proposed new building and additions to existing facilities on the mill site located at Portage Bay and Lakeview Drive in Keewatin. The meeting is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. this evening, Thursday, Dec. 11, at the Lake of the Woods Discovery Centre.

The City of Kenora’s Site Plan Control Policy requires companies to consult with the public on proposed development of new free-standing structures measuring 330 square metres gross floor area or greater.

The multi-million dollar investment by Kenora Forest Products includes the installation of an additional saw line for expanded lumber production, additions to existing buildings as well as other modernization features.

According to a company news release, the dimension of the proposed new sawmill building addition are approximately 57 metres by 10 metres; the new planer building addition will measure approximately 104 metres by 10 metres; and the new dry kiln will be approximately 31 metres by 10 metres.

Engineered drawings of the building additions and the new dry kiln building will be available for viewing at the open house.

In January, 2013, Kenora Forest Products announced its intention to resume production in 2015, contingent upon securing an agreement for a stable wood supply from the province.

Last August, Kenora and the labour union Unifor reached a six-year contract for more than 100 unionized mill employees.

Operations at the local lumber mill were suspended in April 2008 due to soft prices for lumber and a downturn in the U.S. housing market following the 2008 economic meltdown.