Sundial Growers' flagship facility in Olds is now officially open.
The company held an official opening ceremony of the cannabis production facility, located in the southeast industrial park, on Oct. 10. Activities included a ribbon cutting and tours of the building.
The Olds facility complements the company's headquarters and first growing site, located northwest of Airdrie.
Chief executive officer Torsten Kuenzlen told the approximately 70 people in the room that he's amazed at how far the Olds unit has come in such a short time.
He noted the sod-turning for the structure was held just 15 months ago.
"In that time, we have built what is arguably the best cannabis facility in the world. We will ultimately have 500,000 square feet with a quarter of a million plants," he said, adding later the company plans to employ about 500 people by the time its Olds facility is fully built out next year.
Once completed, the facility, featuring 140 cultivation rooms, will be able to produce 100 million grams of cannabis a year.
Kuenzlen noted that as of last week, Sundial was six weeks away from its first harvest. The company's goal is to have retailers selling its products in December.
"We stand on the shoulders of those before us and many of those in the room here who created this facility, that are running the facility. And it's certainly a privilege to be at the helm of the company and lead Sundial into the future," Kuenzlen said.
"It's actually not the quantity; I think it's the quality that's going to set Sundial apart. We're literally the only grower that's growing world-class cannabis at scale," he added.
"There are some great producers in the country that produce some really good cannabis, but they're really, really small. And there's a couple of really, really big players that produce a lot of cannabis, just not at really great quality.
"So I think we're literally the only craft growers at scale and that makes us super proud and the cultivation team that's taking care of the babies as many of them call them here are doing a terrific job."
Kuenzlen said the Sundial Olds facility is having a positive direct -- and indirect -- effect on the local economy.
He pointed out that on any given day about 140 or 150 people are working there to complete its construction as grow rooms continue to arrive from Crossfield, where they're put together.
"The secondary impact of all of that on the economy here can only be positive. I think house prices are beginning to go up," he said.
"I think it's the beginning of a boom that you're going to see here in Olds and I really can only applaud the (Town) of Olds, the province of Alberta for embracing cannabis, because the opportunities that come with it really are unparalled."
Kuenzlen repeated a concept he first cited during an interview with the Albertan last spring.
"We like to say, if everybody keeps doing what they're doing, then this corridor will become the Silicon Valley of cannabis and that'll be an exciting opportunity for all of us and we certainly are very, very proud to be one of the founding members," he said.
"(There are) a lot of misperceptions about the industry. Fortunately Olds and Alberta have seen past that into the opportunities that we present and we're very, very excited to do everything that we can to make a positive contribution (to) the local communities here, but really with everyone that we touch and we welcome you to join us," Kuenzlen added.
"Legalization is a week away. The global industry is awakening. Cannabis has the opportunity to really literally change the world and it's probably going to be the biggest export that Canada will provide.
"The first global brands -- global Canadian brands -- will be built in this space, and we trust that ours will be among those brands and it's really a tremendous opportunity for us to help shape an industry and give birth to a great company."
Mayor Mike Muzychka welcomed the crowd to "cannabis central."
"I loved the Silicon Valley reference. That would be fantastic if Olds and the corridor became that famous," he said.
"Congratulations to Sundial and thank you for becoming the community partner you've already become. Right from Day 1, Sundial has worked extremely hard to win over the residents and council and administration in the Town of Olds and we appreciate all of your efforts," Muzychka said.
Muzychka said town residents have embraced the cannabis production industry as well as the jobs and infusion it provides into the local economy.
He said about 10 per cent of the town's population participated in an online survey about cannabis legalization, which officially occurs tomorrow (Oct. 17) and the industry in the community.
"The Town of Olds has opened its doors to the cannabis industry and we're pleased that Sundial has made such a large investment in our community," Muzychka said. "(We're) really, really heartened to see that our citizens have embraced this the way they have.
"I'd like to, on behalf of the entire council, welcome Sundial to our community and congratulations on your facility."
Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA Nathan Cooper also took to the podium.
He too welcomed the company and the jobs and investment it is making, not only in Olds but also the surrounding region.
"It is just so exciting to be part of an emerging industry that has really chosen Olds and our entire region to grow that industry," Cooper said.
"I know that Sundial has done just an incredible job of reaching out to local businesses, smaller companies, local contractors on the contracting and the production side and just looking at hiring so many people here from our community.
"So really, Sundial is about building community. They're about offering opportunity and jobs, growth, and strengthening an economic region.
"I just want to say thank you to the leadership here, thank you to your board, thank you to (the) mayor and council for their vision in seeing the future.
"You know, this couldn't be done in isolation. And really, Sundial is about partnerships, our community is about partnerships. And when we all pull in the same direction, the tide rises for everyone," he added.
