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Nipawin businesses recognized at chamber's President's Gala

NIPAWIN — It was a chance to recognize the success of Nipawin businesses. At the Nipawin Chamber of Commerce’s President’s Gala, achievement in business excellence were given to businesses in the agriculture, service and retail industries.
2018 Agricultural Award
Ward Wood and Kimberley Wood accept the 2018 Agricultural Award from the Nipawin Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 25. Photo by Jessica R. Durling

NIPAWIN — It was a chance to recognize the success of Nipawin businesses.

At the Nipawin Chamber of Commerce’s President’s Gala, achievement in business excellence were given to businesses in the agriculture, service and retail industries. An award was also given to a business that’s been in Nipawin for decades.

 

2018 Agriculture Award

The 2018 Agriculture Award, which went to Nipawin Greenhouse.

Nipawin Greenhouse was started by Bill and Eleanor Coreau, who arrived in Nipawin in 1932. Bill went to war and after the war ended decided it was time to see some beauty and a future to look forward to, opening the greenhouse in 1946.

In 1967 Eleanor died and Bill turned the business over to daughter Betty and her husband Lloyd Wood and their children. In 1994 Betty officially retired and the business was passed on to her son Ward Wood and his wife Kimberley Wood.

Ward and Kimberley Wood still run the business today.

“We’re very honoured to accept this award, it’s an exciting thing to be acknowledged by your community of peers,” said Kimberley. “It’s just nice to be acknowledged.”

“We’d like to thank the people of Nipawin for supporting us for so long, they’re very loyal and come back every year. Some of their grandparents, their parents and their children now. It’s an honour to serve them.”

 

2018 Service Award

A pair of businesses, Cain’s AutoBody Ltd. and  JT Plumbing & Heating Limited, were given the  2018 Service Award

Cain’s Autobody Ltd. was started on July 2, 1985 by Dave and Leanne Cain. On Oct 1, 2006 Dale Chorney, who worked at Cain’s since 1990, and his wife Debbie purchased the business.

JT Plumbing & Heating was started on May 1, 1991 at 1010  8th Street West by James Hartness. August of 1992 James and his wife Valarie expanded to the current location 300 – 1st Avenue West. In 2010 James retired and his daughter Tracy Grieve, along with her husband, Scott, purchased the business.

Over the years Scott and Tracy have been involved in numerous local service clubs including the Kinsmen, Kinettes, the Evergreen Center, Nipawin Hawks, Gymnastics, Busy Bee and the swim club.

Scott is currently on the SaskEnergy Network and Natural Gas Appliance and Equipment Dealers Association boards.

 

2018 Retail Award

The 2018 Retail Award, which was given to Par-A-Mart Confectionery Ltd.

Craig Spencer and Terry Mochuruck started Par-A-Mart around 1985 and continued to own it until Aug. 28, 2000 when it was purchased by Curtis and Angela Andrus.

“I would like to say thanks for the ABEX award and wish all businesses in Nipawin the best of luck,” wrote Curtis in a letter for the ceremony. “We are all very fortunate to be in such a wonderful town and be surrounded by such wonderful people.”

 

2018 Heritage Award

The 2018 Heritage Award was given to Western Financial Group.

Fiddler Agencies traces its history in Nipawin back over 94 years to 1924, when Harold Guloein started Guloien Agencies as an insurance, real estate and conveyancing office – along with a large grocery store.

The business changed hands several times to various owners through time until 1981, when Ray Van Dorpe purchased the business. In 1993, Michael Van Dorpe, Ray’s son, joined the office and became a partner.

Together they ran the office until 2001 when they were acquired by Western Financial Group, and joined an expanding group of offices in smaller cities and towns in western Canada offering insurance and financial services.

In 2002 Western Financial Group acquired Torch River Agencies in White Fox from Brian McLeod, which is still operated in its original location in White Fox, and on July 2, 2009, the name of the office was officially changed to Western Financial Group.

“It’s awesome, it was great,” said Michael Van Dorpe. “Being involved in the office for as many years as I have and then from being able to go from my father and the longevity of being able to meet the prior two owners to that, is kind of nice.”