What’s your dream project this spring? Maybe a new deck to soak in those Prairie sunsets? Or a new master bedroom, complete with your own ensuite? It starts with a vision – the stuff all great projects are made of – but without the tools and expertise to follow through, that’s where the dream can end.
Good thing the Wetaskiwin Co-op’s Project Centre has both in abundance!
Wetaskiwin’s go-to local design and construction destination, the Project Centre brings together design, estimating and construction pros to work with homeowners and contractors on projects big and small, notes Craig Shulver, Lumber Manager with Wetaskiwin Co-op’s Project Centre.
This spring that might mean decks and fences, but also new bathrooms, a new shed or even a whole home!
“Our comprehensive service includes in-person design, purchasing, project management and installation – we handle the entire project, from initial concept to finishing touches, whether it’s new construction, renovation or remodelling,” Shulver says.
Beyond the 45,000-square-foot Co-op store, the Project Centre benefits from the company’s robust inventory as well as Wetaskiwin’s central location and proximity to key transportation networks. Together, they provide easy, timely access to more than 50,000 products, often within 24 hours – what you need, when you need it.
“That’s just golden at times when it’s busy and we can still get things in quickly,” Shulver says.
Accessing products is one thing; it’s also essential to deliver the information people need to use them successfully.
“We constantly hear, ‘You guys always get me what I need,’ and ‘You always have the knowledge and information I’m looking for.’ And that’s something we totally pride ourselves on – it’s about the relationships,” Shulver says.
The right process is key for any project
Projects typically start with the design team, who offer full-service interior design, including in-home consultation. The project next moves on to the estimators, and, if you’re looking for construction professionals to bring your project to life, they can help with that, too, Shulver says, noting that like any project, it all comes down to having the right team. At the Wetaskiwin Co-op Project Centre, that means staff who’ve been helping local residents and contractors for 10, 15, 20 years or longer!
“The team we have in the Project Centre is a real family,” Shulver says. “Everyone is interested and invested in doing the best they can for our customers. We have people who are in-tune with design, we have guys who’ve worked in construction and some who specialize in estimating. People come in with a vision and they help make it a reality,” Shulver says.
The team also works closely with the local farming community, offering building solutions for farm equipment, hay storage or animal storage. Working with G & C Design, which offers both design and engineering expertise, they work together to meet all the industry-required standards and today’s market demands.
Looking forward with the Co-op
Building on the Co-op’s deep local roots and expertise, the centre is looking at creating a building division to take their project management to the next level. Recognizing it can be challenging for individual builders to fund new housing construction, the Co-op could draw on its resources to build, while still relying on all the local trades, Shulver explains.
The 30+-year Co-op veteran also encourages individuals looking for a rewarding career to consider Wetaskiwin Co-op.
“As a Co-op, we are always looking for service-minded individuals, and it’s an incredible company when it comes to affording people opportunity,” he says.
This business profile is part of a series from Wetaskiwin’s Economic Development office. To learn more about initiatives to grow local business and industry, visit wetaskiwin.ca/831/Invest-Wetaskiwin
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