Kalesnikoff Lumber is building an expansion to their operations in the Kootenays, which will translate into more job opportunities for the region. The current production line is capable of handling over 50,000 cubic meters of mass produced timber each year. The existing mill will be expanded by 20,000 square feet. According to chief operations officer Chris Kalesnikoff, the expansion will enlarge their structure to 130,000 square feet and let them focus more on what they refer to as “finishing depths.” This will also allow for growth within the company, and offer more jobs to the local economy. …According to Kalesnikoff the market is dictating the use of more wood; the expansion will allow them to keep up with high market demand. “The market is growing,” he says. “There is a large demand for mass timber production in affordable housing as well as commercial buildings, institutional structures, schools, day care centres and industrial centres.”