WOLSELEY, Sask. – Guests began arriving at the new West Central
Pelleting Ltd. plant last week an hour before tours were supposed to
start.
It was a sign of the enthusiasm that has been shown for the plant since
it was first proposed for the Wolseley area.
Earlier this year the share offering for the plant sold out two weeks
before the deadline.
Fifteen communities were involved in raising money for the $3.2 million
venture, said Dave Edgar, a local representative on the Wilkie, Sask.,
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company’s board.
“We’ve had strong, strong support,” he said. “I expect just more than
60 percent (of shareholders) would not have a Wolseley address.”
The plant sits just south of town, across the Trans-Canada Highway.
During the Nov. 1 grand opening, wind whistled through the steel
storage bins, playing unusually somber music for such an occasion.
Inside, the atmosphere was festive as employees and board members
conducted tours and explained how the pelleting plant will use
screenings from inland terminals, special crop processors and farmers
to produce several blends of animal feed.
West Central’s expansion to the southeast came at Wolseley’s request.
The Wilkie plant opened in July 1998 after 570 investors came forward.
“When Wolseley came to us with the concept, they said, ‘if you will
open a second plant, we will raise the capital required,’ ” said board
president Margaret Skinner.
The 430 shareholders raised $1.16 million – more than the $1 million
initially required by the Saskatchewan Securities Commission. Shares
were $150 each, with a minimum purchase of 10.
The remaining cost was financed through two Saskatchewan credit unions.
Skinner said the company would have chosen the Wolseley area even if it
had decided on its own to expand. There is abundant raw product and
good highway access.
The plant will produce about 50,000 tonnes of pellets a year, which
will be sold locally and to Alberta feedlots.
The plant, which will employ up to 12 people, should be fully
operational by Dec. 1. Commissioning is now under way.
