INNISFAIL – Central Alberta Co-op’s new Innisfail Gas Bar is now open for business.
The long-awaited gas bar, which began servicing customers in early June, held its grand opening on June 19.
The event was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and a barbecue with donations going to the Innisfail and District Food Bank. The event also had free coffee, slushies, games and door prizes for patrons.
“We opened a few weeks ago but this is our official opening today,” said Kelvin McGillivary, board president.
“We’ve been expanding for quite a few years now. We had an existing gas station with two lanes and a very small convenience store and we just outgrew it,” he said. “We have gone to three full lanes with a full convenience store.
“We can now basically offer everything here.”
McGillivary said there was a need for a newer, bigger gas bar and convenience store.
“The Innisfail members for the Central Alberta Co-op have always greatly supported us here,” he added. ”This has been one of the busiest service stations that we have in all of Central Alberta.”
The project took several months to build and cost $4.8 million.
“Planning for this project started a couple of years ago. The project started (construction) last fall and carried into the spring this year,” said Gerald Hiebert, chief executive officer at the corporate office.
He noted the positive impact the new gas bar will have in Innisfail.
“This is one of the things that Co-op is known for in communities. One of the pillars is community (investment) and we’re putting 4.8 million dollars back into the town of Innisfail. We’re pretty proud of that,” he said, noting the gas bar and store employs about 16 people.
“We offer a lot of service to (highway travellers) and that grows into Innisfail and helps with the market here.
“We’re glad to be part of the community and we’re glad to be a difference maker in the community,” Hiebert concluded.
