Mountain View County's new $2.1-million agriculture lands and parks services shop will be a great asset for the region's agriculture industry by centralizing and modernizing services, says Eric Iverson, the chairman of MVC's agricultural services board.
An official opening of the new shop was held June 10, with members of the ag service board, county council and staff, and about 200 area residents in attendance.
“It's going to be great for the ag department to have a central place to work out of,” said Iverson. “It's close to the office so the staff can interact a lot better. It's nice everything is in one spot and the staff is not scattered everywhere.”
The two-storey shop is about 7,000 square feet in size and will be used to house agricultural service board equipment, lands and parks department equipment, pesticide and parts. It also includes working spaces, washroom facilities, a shower and a locker room.
As well it has a lunchroom, meeting room, two office spaces and a second washroom on the mezzanine level.
Reeve Bruce Beattie echoed Iverson's comments.
“It's a terrific asset for the county,” said Beattie. “We picked a time to do this kind of construction when some of those costs are lower. It's a good decision in terms of the time to do it.
“We spent at least three years in the planning of this building and we looked at what our needs will be for the next 30 years. This building will serve the county very well into the future.”
The new shop has the capacity to expand to include requirements down the road, he said.
“If at some point in the distant future we end up having a new heavy duty shop, that's designed into this site as well,” he said.
Scott Builders Inc was the general contractor on the project and Netook Construction Ltd., based northwest of Olds, did the earthwork.
Scott Builders notes
Murray Cunningham, chief operating officer with Scott Builders Inc., said the project went very well, coming in right on schedule.
“Our approach with our municipal partners is to put facilities in place that they are going to be able to use for a long time and have low maintenance costs,” said Cunningham.
“We worked closely with the county to ensure that the design was right.”
The construction involved the use of numerous local subcontractors, he said.
“We work regularly in the area, being based out of Red Deer and Calgary, so we know the local talent,” he said. “We are really pleased to work with the people right in Mountain View County and you can see that in the finished product because they put in the time and effort.”
Scott Builders' Chris Copeman was the project manager.
“In general the project was constructed and delivered pretty much right on schedule,” said Copeman.
“We turned it on the exact day that we had set in the schedule at the start of the job. We are extremely happy with the finished product.”
