Renovations and upgrades are proceeding as planned at the newly named Thunder Creek Pork.
The Moose Jaw, Sask., pork plant, known most recently as Moose Jaw Pork Packers, is expected to open in mid-December.
Tony Martinez, vice-president of Donald’s Fine Foods/Britco Pork, said the new owners had originally picked River Valley Pork but that name was already taken.
Thunder Creek refers to the valley that runs through the city and has historical significance, without being too close to previous company names at the same location.
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“Obviously we wanted to steer away from the past,” Martinez said.
The plant had a rocky existence at times as various owners tried to keep it afloat. Donald’s Fine Foods/Britco Pork is a British Columbia-based company that works directly with producer partners who raise hogs to certain specifications for certain products and markets.
It bought the plant earlier this year for $100,000 after the city took possession due to unpaid taxes.
Martinez said so far there have been no renovation surprises.
“We’re right where we want to be,” he said Sept. 2. “We have an aggressive start time, to be up and running in mid-December.”
The company is hiring management and maintenance personnel who will be on site as the renovations proceed.
Some of the workers laid off after the XL Foods beef slaughter plant closed might find work at the pork facility. Martinez said the company plans an open house in late November.
The plant’s capacity will be 1,000 to 1,200 hogs per day.
