The new Home Centre features a dedicated Contractor Centre. The new facility also has a drive-through lumber yard with indoor lumber storage.
Brett Ferguson, chair of the board, kicked off welcoming guests and dignitaries to the grand opening by sharing some thanks on behalf of the Prairie Sky Co-op board. “I would like to thank the relationship that our GM, Kevin Arthur, and Quorex had to build this facility on time, and on budget. It turned out even better than we expected.”
“I also would like to thank the relationship that Kevin and Federated Co-op had, for the design of the building. More importantly, thank you to the staff, as our last location was less than ideal for the standards that we would have. Adding to that, I would like to thank all our customers and members, for putting up the last location, and I really think that this new facility will serve the needs of our membership,” said Ferguson.
Kevin Arthur, general manager of Prairie Sky Co-op, explained that “the Co-op is a different type of business and exists to serve our membership. This new facility is a great example of how the Co-op model works to build up communities. This was an exciting project to be a part of.”
“I want to thank our members for all their support of our Home Centre over the years. The old location was far too small, and we were not able to offer all the products that we would have liked, but our members still choose to shop Co-op and support local. It is this loyal support from our membership that has made all of this possible.”
“I had just recently started my role as general manager in Weyburn when I took this proposal to the board for approval. They had the responsibility to look at the risk of this large investment for the Co-op would be, and balance that risk with the potential that this new location would have, and what it would do for our membership, and the community,” said Arthur.
“I want to thank our partners at Federated Co-op, who also invested in this project with us. They provided support and assistance all the way along, from the initial feasibility to the project planning, to store set-up and merchandising. They have been a valuable partner in this project,” added Arthur.
“Our goal was to provide a wide selection and services that was not previously available in Weyburn, and I really hope our members enjoy shopping at the new location.”
Representatives from Federated Co-op had also attended the ribbon cutting ceremony. Robert Grimsrud, district director for southern Saskatchewan, said that he couldn’t be more pleased to see the facility had gotten off the ground. “Federated takes an interest in the prosperity in all of their retail outlets, and certainly this facility will be a step forward for Prairie Sky to be able to offer more to the community.”
“We can see how this facility will only enhance the local economy and the betterment of the community,” added Grimsrud.
Other dignitaries who provided greetings during the ribbon cutting were: Norm McFadden, Reeve of the RM of Weyburn; Marcel Roy, Mayor of the City of Weyburn; and Dr. Robert Kitchen, MP for Souris-Moose Mountain. Dustin Duncan, MLA for Weyburn-Big Muddy, was not able to attend.
