An entrepreneur proposing to develop a multi-million-dollar medicinal cannabis facility in Sundre wants to first earn the community's trust by pursuing a path of open dialogue and transparency.
An entrepreneur proposing to develop a multi-million-dollar medicinal cannabis facility in Sundre wants to first earn the community's trust by pursuing a path of open dialogue and transparency.
“We are about proving ourselves and earning the respect of the community,” said Jesse Beaudry, president and owner of Calgary-based Candre Cannabis Inc.
Last week, Beaudry applied to the Town of Sundre for a development permit to develop a 42,000-square-foot medicinal cannabis facility in the light industrial southwest district to the south of the Westview Co-op Cardlock. Medicinal cannabis production facilities are a discretionary use in the light industrial district under the town's land use bylaw.
“We want to deliver results, not just words,” he said in a telephone interview.
“If we don't earn the respect of the community, we won't get the social licence to operate.”
Incorporated in April 2017, Candre Cannabis has largely spent the past year ensuring its business plan is fully compliant with regulations as part of its application to Health Canada for a production licence.
“We've been working hard with Health Canada on the detailed federal application, which was submitted in July 2017,” he said.
As part of that process, the company was required to prepare a comprehensive business proposal that includes but is not limited to the following: site survey plans; engineering and architectural designs as well as an artist's rendering of the proposed facility; a robust security framework; quality control guidelines; materials that would be used to produce medical grade cannabis; water and power management practices; and a staff selection process that involves criminal background checks.
The company has not yet been issued a licence.
Candre Cannabis proposes constructing a vertical growing facility that would feature three stacked tiers as opposed to simply having all of the production on a single level, similar to a garden centre. This approach is a more sustainable practice that optimizes the potential use of available space, thereby enabling growing more medical grade cannabis with less land, Beaudry said.
“This is something we take to heart,” he said, adding he has a degree in environmental sciences.
The project's budget, which extends to February 2019, amounts to an estimated $20-million investment in Sundre, which includes expenses such as purchasing the land, building the structure, buying all of the required equipment, as well as hiring, wages and operating costs, he said.
Candre Cannabis Inc. announced in January that it closed a strategic partnership with an undisclosed Canadian private equity firm (CPEF).
The CPEF has acquired common equity in the company and provided Candre access to initial financing for its development plans, according to a press release issued by Candre.
While there would be numerous temporary job opportunities throughout the construction phase of the project, Beaudry said once completed and operational, the facility would require at least 50 permanent, full-time positions to start.
As of this week, he expected the deal to buy the land — which was already being graded — would be finalized.
“Things are going exactly as per our plan — that's because our plan is a reasonable one.”
The next step is to establish a positive rapport with residents, he said.
“We're extremely excited at the opportunity to advance our project in Sundre,” he said.
“Our hope is that (the development permit) gets approved by the end of the month.”
Candre's name is a combination of the words cannabis and Sundre, which Beaudry has had his sights firmly fixed on for some time.
“Right from the beginning, we landed on Sundre,” he said.
“It's an amazing area, quite frankly.”
With friends who own property in the region, Beaudry said he has frequently been to Sundre, which ultimately convinced him this community would be the most suitable location for Candre.
The journey to date has been an excellent one, he said, adding he is, “pleased the end result is us being able to disclose that Sundre is the area we've chosen to advance the project.”
The company hopes to break ground as early as this coming April or May. The facility could potentially be completed and operational before next winter, he said.
“We're ready to go.”
The company is holding an open house and job fair on March 27 at the Sundre Community Centre. Click here for that story.
“It is our hope that the community is supportive and that we can advance with the project.”
