The new and improved Discovery Co-op Cardlock facility on Battleford Road in North Battleford is officially re-opened for business.
A ribbon- and cake-cutting event took place Wednesday at the outlet, which has undergone considerable construction and renovation over the past year.
The cardlock replaced the old and aging cardlock that had been approaching the end of its lifespan.
The new facility includes both clear and dyed diesel as well as satellite pumps. There are lanes now, where before the vehicles had to line up.
Diesel exhaust fluid can be pumped right at the cardlock itself, which saves the truck drivers’ time because before they would have to buy a bottle or two and then put it into their trucks. It's something that can be dispensed at the pump and a feature not many cardlocks have across Canada.
There is also premium fuel, something they didn’t have before. And there’s also more land available which means trucks won’t be backed up into the street.
While the construction began in the spring of last year, Discovery Co-op General Manager Mike Nord said it really took five years to get from the hard planning for the facility to this point.
While it is considered an upgrade from the existing cardlock, “really, it’s brand new,” said Nord. “We built brand-new, and then took the old one down and decommissioned it.”
Nord cited the added convenience to customers through the changes.
“Really, it’s something our members have been asking for, for a long time,” said Nord. “And even in the short time it’s been open we’ve seen a big jump in its use.”
The event included several dignitaries from across the Battlefords. Creating a great deal of attention there was a drone that hovered above to take pictures.
It turns out the drone is a recent addition to the Co-op to assist their agribusiness customers, with the ability to take overhead pictures of farmers’ fields to identify crop damage or other issues.
Among those speaking was Councillor Ryan Bater, who noted the facility will serve industries relevant to the local economy.
“When you think about the industries that drive our community, you think about the energy sector, agriculture and transportation, and all of those sectors will be well served by the new facility,” said Bater.
The cardlock has been just one of a number of Discovery Co-op projects this year. The next grand opening expected will be for the Home Centre at the Territorial Place Mall in a couple of months, with that area of the mall having seen considerable renovation over the past while.
Nord said the actual construction is done there and they are now finishing up the interior. Discovery Co-op has also invested a large amount of money into various other construction over the last number of years, including two new gas bars and convenience stores in the Battlefords and other upgrades.
“The reason for that, is because we need to be relevant in order to compete and the competition is stronger than it ever has been,” said Nord.
