If all goes well, the Westview Co-op QE II gas bar and convenience store, under construction in the Netook Crossing business park could be open by July 1, general manager Dennis Laing says.
"We anticipate that we'd like to have it open probably July long weekend and we're going to make every effort to get it open earlier, if possible," Laing said during an interview with the Albertan.
The property is located on the south side of Highway 27, about 750 metres west of Highway 2.
When completed, facility, known as the QE II Gas Bar, will feature a convenience store and four additional gas pumps in addition to the Westview Co-op cardlock facility built there previously.
Plans call for the facility to employ about 15 people.
In addition to selling typical convenience store items such as snacks and beverages, plans call for the facility to sell propane for consumer and automotive use.
Construction on the $3.7-million project began at the beginning of November.
Construction has been moving rapidly, thanks to good weather for most of the winter. Laing says so far, the project is on time and on budget.
He visited the area last week.
"Things are on track. The convenience store structure is up. It's sheeted. Now they're working inside on it," Laing said.
"Underneath the tarp where the canopy is, concrete has been poured (for the pump islands), the pad has been poured. They're working on the canopy and everything there. And the slab for the underground tanks has been poured.
"We're still on track for (opening in) July right now. Hopefully the weather holds. But the next eight to 12 weeks will be the real tell sign. If we get some poor weather, it could run us behind fairly quickly. And if we get some good weather, we'll stay on track."
Meanwhile, Laing is confident Westview Co-op's latest move — expanding into East Central Alberta — won't stretch the Co-op too far; straining supply lines, for example.
Westview is acquiring Fox Lake Agro and Hanna Building Supplies as well as an ag and building supplies facility in Consort.
They will all officially become part of Westview Co-op on Feb. 15, once a conditional agreement is completed.
Hanna is about 170 kilometres east of Olds. Consort is about 140 kilometres northeast of Hanna.
Laing says the purchases make good sense.
"Any time that we can diversify our business, either by commodity line or by geographical area, it's better for everyone. And here's why," he says.
"As a co-op and the commodities that we're in, we rely very heavily on the success of our ag producer partners and our contractor business; new home starts and that sort of thing, in order for success.
"And if we were to limit ourselves to a very small geographical area, what happens to the rate of return for our members if that area has a poor producing year?
"So if we can diversify ourselves over a greater land area, if the west side of our trading area has a great year and the east side doesn't and then the next year it's the reverse, our guests and members don't experience a roller-coaster, because one area will subsidize the other."
Besides, Laing notes, in today's world, Westview staff can easily communicate with their counterparts in Hanna or Consort via Skype or email without having to drive out to those places.
"I mean, those businesses are very successful on their own today. So what we are just doing is capitalizing on diversity," Laing says.
"What they are doing is ensuring the long-term sustainability for those businesses and for the communities that they serve because of the Co-op's commitment to our communities. So it's a win-win for both."
