Do You Remember Balakrishnan? Traditional Cache
Do You Remember Balakrishnan?
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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Ever wonder about the sights you see behind the fence? Are you
curious enough to stop and ponder? Maybe you know the answers and
are just looking for the Cache. For those who like to check out the
surroundings please read on.
For over 40 years now the East River hardboard plant has been a
major contributor to the local economy. In 1968 a group of
investors from India formed Anil Hardboard Company to produce
hardboard sheet material. In co-operation with NS Industrial
Estates Limited, they founded the largest hardboard manufacturing
plant in Canada. Mr. Govind Jolly was the President of Anil
Hardboard Company of Bombay and the locals referred to the
plant’s product as Jolly Board after its India roots.
By 1975 the plant passed into receivership and was purchased by
Masonite Canada Ltd., then later by Canadian Pacific Ltd.
(CanExel). By 1992, ABTCo from Wisconsin ran the facility.
Louisiana Pacific purchased the mill in 1999 and it’s product
is distributed across Canada, especially Quebec, and exported to
various countries in Europe.
The LP East River plant is a one line operation producing premium
hardboard sideing in 9” & 12” profiles in 12’
lengths. Currently over 200 employees directly depend on the East
River plant for their livelihood with many living in the local and
surrounding area. Louisiana Pacific is also a big supporter of
local fund raising efforts both for organizations and
individuals.
Interesting facts:
Balakrishnan, the elephant, was brought to Canada from India by Mr.
Jolly. The elephant was a local curiosity with people coming from
far and wide to visit him and his keeper. They were a fixture
beside the outside fence of the hardboard plant next to the road.
Sadly Balakrishnan died within a year, likely due to a climate
related illness. A former site manager paid tribute to the elephant
by having a playful rock elephant created on the plant site as a
friendly memorial to an innocent creature turned company mascot all
those years ago.
The water tower, seen from a long distance off, is adorned with a
red maple leaf and holds approximately 250 thousand gallons of
water providing the water pressure required for the plant. The
water is pumped from East River approximately 1 km away.
The woodpile lot can hold between 25 - 39 cord of wood waiting to
be chipped before being used in the mill production.
Close to the geocache there is a south facing test site exposing
the siding panels to the elements to aid in product research and
development and warranty support.
The press exhaust emits a giant plum of steam every time the press
is raised. Depending on the wind direction and barometric pressure
the cloud of steam can rise high in the sky or lie close to the
ground. This too can be seen from a long distance away.
The LP East River plant has a composting facility operated by
Envirem Technologies. More than 95% of waste from the mill is
recycled or composted. The compost is sold to landscapers and
garden centers throughout the province.
I’d like to thank the current Plant Manager, Phil Ellwood,
for allowing this cache to be placed on LP Property.
Remember to Bring Pencil to Sign Log.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)