UFA has officially marked the opening of its newest agency in Wildwood, Alberta!
UFA officially cut the ribbon to open the petroleum agency at its Grand Opening event held yesterday. The event was originally planned for early summer but was postponed due to the Alberta wildfires that impacted the community of Wildwood and surrounding areas. The Grand Opening event was a much-needed celebration for the community with many on hand to take part in the festivities, including members of Yellowhead County Council.
(Pictured left to right:) Andrew Cribbs (back), Area Manager; Pat McEwen, Area Manager; Anthony Giezen, Yellowhead County Councillor; Don Smith, Vice President, Petroleum & Innovation; Kim Brodersen, Agent (centre, cutting ribbon); Dennis Brodersen, Agent; Doug Charriere, Senior Director, Petroleum Operations; Charles Martin, UFA Delegate; Kevin Hoppins, Board Chair; Tim Church, Grassroots Giving Program Manager
The UFA Wildwood Cardlock Agency first began serving the Hamlet in 1961 and after 60 years it was time to move and upgrade the site to better serve members and customers. UFA received overwhelming support for the project from Wildwood and Yellowhead County.
"The community of Wildwood has been extremely supportive from early planning stages," remarked Don Smith, Vice President Petroleum & Innovation during the ceremonies. "The decision to build a new location for the Petroleum Agency was one that required a great deal of thought and due diligence. At the end of the day, we want to provide the best experience for our members. The Wildwood Planning and Development Committee gave overwhelming support not only for the location but for the re-investment in the community, recognizing the new cardlock as a positive community, and economic, move for Wildwood."
UFA has doubled the current product offering, including adding Premium and dyed Premium Diesel and expanding the site from two lanes to five. The new cardlock has reinvigorated the community by bringing in new highway traffic, with easier and better access to the site. UFA is remediating the old site and donating the land to Yellowhead County to be used as a park/greenspace across from the senior's centre.
Wildwood's Petroleum Agents, Kim and Dennis Broderson, remain the agents who have been serving all their customers' fuel needs for years, going above and beyond with customer service. They are pillars in the community and care about what's best for Wildwood.
Smith was joined by UFA's Board Chair, Kevin Hoppins and area Delegate, Charles Martin, who welcomed and thanked local government officials in attendance, highlighted the product and service advantages UFA has brought to our members and customers and provided a final thank you to the UFA team that was instrumental in advancing these expansion projects. Yellowhead County Division II Councillor, Anthony Giezen, gave remarks on behalf of the County and thanked UFA for its continued investment in the community.
In the community of Wildwood and surrounding areas, UFA has made it a priority to support the local food banks. UFA collected donations to the Wildwood, Evansburg and Entwistle (WEE) Community Food Bank at the event and donated $500 to the charity.
In celebration of the Grand Opening, UFA hosted an in-store contest. The winner receives a $5,000 gift card and $5,000 to the charity of their choice. Stay tuned for the winning announcement!
UFA Delegate Charles Martin along with Wildwood Petroleum Agents Kim and Dennis Brodersen make cheque presentation to WEE Food Bank representatives.