The Central Alberta Co-Op Cardlock hosted its grand opening on Wednesday, August 28. The event marked extensive renovations to both the building and the property.
The Stettler card lock has been empty for the last few years, with most of the operation taking place at the Co-Op Agro facility just a little east of the card lock. However, both the building and property have undergone extensive upgrades.
According to Petroleum Division Manager for Central Alberta Co-Op Ken Vanden Brink, the tall holding tanks that used to sit in the back corner of the property, and held the fuel for the pumps, have been removed, and replaced with in-ground holding tanks.
Once the old tanks were removed, the ground at the back of the lot was dug up and cleaned accordingly. The back portion of the lot had also been fenced off and was gravelled. This is to allow truckers a place to park when needed.
At the front of the building, the old pumps were torn out and the soil was also cleaned. The orientation of the new pumps was changed making them easier to access from the entry/exit points to the facility. The number of pumps was also expanded, including an additional dyed gasoline pump.
Vanden Brink says the facility is the first one of theirs to have two dyed gasoline pumps. A Diesel Exhaust Fluid station was also installed.
Changes to the building include the addition of two bathrooms for customers to use. One of the bathrooms has also been equipped with a shower for their trucking customers. This is all in an effort to make the facility more convenient for customers.
The facility even has two large silos on their property that will now be serviced by both Innisfail and Lacombe’s Co-Op Agri-centers.
There is also a bulk lubricants sales rep who will be working in the area, and the card lock building will be storing pales and drums for the local customers.
Vanden Brink explains that the extensive renovations and upgrades are all "To support our customers in the area."
The grand opening ran from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a BBQ and donuts from Blokes Bakery.
