In 2011 the property on Dracup Avenue bordered by the Saskota Flyway on the west and the Flyway's access ramp on the south was a slough, prone to flooding and an eyesore at the edge of Yorkton's business district.
Two and a half years and 30 feet of fill later, it is officially home to Terry Ortynsky's Royal Ford.
It took a long time with the city planning and the land had to be filled and just getting the permits and then construction," Ortynsky said.
On October 15, Ortynsky, with the help of Dianne Craig, CEO Ford Canada, Paul Monjanel, president Ford Credit Canada and Ross Fisher, deputy Yorkton mayor, cut the ribbon on the new dealership.
"This is a huge investment in our brand, in our company and speaks volumes for what Terry's done and thinks of our brand in the future," Craig said.
"This is a big deal and we're just really proud, especially this dealership, they do a phenomenal job for us."
Ortynsky said having Ford's top executives there made the grand opening extra special.
"They're very supportive," he said. "It's a partnership between Ford and the dealer organizations and it means a lot to me as a dealer."
Following a beef-on-a-bun lunch attended by an estimated 500 people and speeches by Craig, Monjanel and Fisher, Ortynsky paid tribute to his long-time associates, all of whom have been with the dealership since before Ortynsky bought it from Russ Cardnuff in 1985.
Ortynsky also honoured Cardnuff by dedicating the library located on the upper level of the new facility to the former owner.
