CIKT-FM

On November 15, Bear Creek Broadcasting Ltd. was given approval to operate a new FM station at Grande Prairie. The application was one of three approved on this date for new FM stations in this market. Several other applications were denied. Bear Creek proposed to operate on frequency 103.3 MHz with an effective radiated power of 100,000 watts. The station would offer a Classic Rock/Classic Hits music format designed to appeal to listeners 35 to 54 years of age. The Classic Hits portion of its overall music would represent approximately 35% of total musical programming. Most of the musical selections to be broadcast would be drawn from the 1970’s, 1980’s and 1990’s. Bear Creek is a corporation which is ultimately controlled by Mr. Ken Truhn. It currently holds no broadcasting licences. 

On March 21, Bear Creek Broadcasting Ltd. received permission to change the frequency for its proposed station. It would operate on 98.9 MHz rather than 103.3 MHz. Effective radiated power would remain 100,000 watts. Antenna height would increase to 266.4 metres from 256.6 metres. Bear Creek had originally planned to use the CBC transmitter site, north of Grande Prairie. It would now use the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group antenna site located in the same general area. 

CIKT-FM (Q99 Quality Music – True Variety / Q99 Today’s Hits – Yesterday’s Favourites) officially signed on the air April 9 at 12:00 p.m. Studios and offices were located at #104 8716-108 Street in Grande Prairie. Q99 and Bear Creek Broadcasting was the vision of Ken Truhn. With a full staff of on-air personalities, Q99 planned to have a live announcer in the studio seven days a week and would provide listeners with detailed local news and sports. With a target listener of adults 25 to 54, Q99 will provide Grande Prairie and surrounding area with all of the hit music you grew up on and are listening to today.

In August, Randy Pike crossed the street, leaving FREE FM for a new opportunity in the Q99 news department. He took over the reins from Echo Ross who left Q99 to work with the Grande Prairie Storm of the Alberta Jr Hockey League.

Q99 program director Paul Ouellette added morning show duties, taking over from Kent Schumaker who moved to YL/KIX Peace River as program director.

In the wake of losing morning man Kent Schumaker to CKYL Peace River, Q99 announced its new day-time line-up: Music director Christy Farrell moved from mid days to dive home, veteran Ward Livingston returned to the business to take over the mid day slot and program director Paul Ouellette took over the morning position. Schumaker let January 15.

Joel Gasson left the news department for CJME Regina. He was replaced by Lloyd Fischer from Rogers & Sun Media. Teresa Verenca moved up to take on the roll of weekday reporter and anchor.

Ward Livinston left Q99 for a job with the GP Storm junior hockey team of the AJHL. He had been afternoon drive announcer and Assistant Program Director.

Q99 program director Paul Ouellette announced the appointment of its two newest Q-Crew members. Joining the creative/production department was BCIT grad Chris Akenhead who hit the ground running at the end of November. Veteran Mike Calderone would bring his vast music and on air resume to Q99 replacing assistant music director/drive home host Ward Livingston, who left at the end of December to join the AJHL Grande Prairie Storm hockey club as their new business manager.

The CRTC approved a change to the ownership of Bear Creek Broadcasting Ltd. as part of an intracorporate reorganization. This transaction did not affect the effective control of Bear Creek, which continued to be exercised by Mr. Ken Truhn. Bear Creek was the licensee of CIKT-FM Grande Prairie.

On December 18, the CRCT approved an application by Bear Creek Broadcasting Ltd. (general partner and limited partner) and “Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Ltd. (the general partner) and Jim Pattison Industries Ltd. (the limited partner) carrying on business as Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Limited Partnership” (the other limited partner), carrying on business as Bear Creek Broadcasting Limited Partnership, for authority to acquire from Bear Creek Broadcasting Ltd. the assets of the English-language commercial radio station CIKT-FM Grande Prairie. Bear Creek was wholly owned by 1283836 Alberta Ltd., which was a corporation owned and controlled by Ken Truhn. Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Limited Partnership was owned and controlled by James A. Pattison through various subsidiaries. Following the close of the transaction, Bear Creek would hold 51.01% of the units in Bear Creek LP and JPBG Limited Partnership, 48.99% of the units. This transaction would not affect the effective control of the undertaking, which would continue to be exercised by Mr. Truhn.

On August 26, the CRTC approved an application by Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Limited Partnership for authority to acquire the assets of the English-language commercial radio station CIKT-FM from Bear Creek Broadcasting Limited Partnership.