WESTLOCK – Work is well underway on the new $7 million Westlock Powersports and Marine building on Highway 44, with an official ribbon cutting planned for the summer of 2022.
WPM dealer principal Dan Horinek said he’s been getting tons of calls asking him what’s going on at the site of the old Precision Water location situated on the west side of Highway 44 at 104th Street — Precision Collision Repair and Restoration will stay on the other half of the lot which ends at 106th Street. Crews have torn down half of the old building and continue prepping the site for new construction.
“We’re hoping to have it all done by June or July next year,” said Horinek Aug. 25. “It’s going to be one of the nicest buildings in town for sure. It’s going to clean up that side of Highway 44 and be a great addition to the community. We’re really proud of it.”
The new building will come in at 22,000 square feet, employ well over 25 people and house all their sleds, ATVs, side-by-sides, boats, lawn mowers and snow throwers, plus their service department. Precision Design and Manufacturing’s main office will take over WPM’s old space in the west industrial park on Highway 18.
“I think it shows our commitment to the area. We’ve moved in people from all over — Saskatchewan, southern Alberta. We’re definitely trying to grow Westlock,” he said.
CAO Simone Wiley said it’s encouraging for the municipality to see the massive development coming out of the pandemic. Although 2020 was relatively quiet for seven-figure commercial projects, in 2019 the new Brick building and Westlock Motors Bodyshop both went up across the street from one another of Highway 18 east, while the new DQ restaurant also opened on Highway 44.
“It’s fantastic to see development occurring, especially on the commercial side. Internally we have worked on out processes and making sure that we’re not just saying we’re open for development, but that it also feels like for people trying to develop,” said Wiley.
“We have seen some fairly substantial commercial development in the last number of years and this is just another fantastic one for the community.”
Mayor Ralph Leriger also chimed in saying it’s “wonderful news” for the community and called the company “first class all the way.”
“It adds to the suite of things we’re strong in. It’s easy to say we’re an ag town, but we’re more than that. This is real good retail. The location is phenomenal on 44 on the way to the big lakes,” said Leriger. “It’s really exciting.”
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