Around 200 people came out for a meeting last night to discuss Caledonia’s gas woes.
The North Queens Board of Trade held the meeting in response to the closure of the community’s last gas station a month ago.
Gil Johnson, councillor for the area, believes something needs to be done sooner rather than later.
“The sooner we can get at this, the sooner the businesses cases for each and everybody who is going to take an initiative, is going to be a lot stronger because the more we fragment, the more that business case is going to get fragmented.”
Krista Harding of South Shore Opportunities discussed some of the risks of starting such a business, saying the organization would support someone in creating a business plan but would be very cautious in who they invest in.
She says in the last ten years, three gas stations have closed in Caledonia.
Johnson and Region of Queens Economic Development Officer Richard Lane, gathered suggestions from the community , asking what a business could offer that would make them support it.
“It’s a tough challenge for those that are going to step up to the plate and try to make it work but it’s a tough challenge for each and everyone one of us to support that person, that individual, or that co-op model,” said Johnson.
Some suggestions included having a larger space around pumps for vehicles like RVs, providing several grades of gas and diesel, or having it handy to where ATVs drive.
Others included suggestions for add ons that could entice customers, such as selling camping gear for visitors of Kejimkujik or an ATM.
Some residents expressed their worry over what would happen without a replacement.
Resident Janice Doubleday told the crowd that life has been difficult for her, as someone who lives off the grid.
Others voiced concerns about the farming community.
By the middle of the meeting however, the owner of Mary Lake Home Hardware stood up to tell the crowd, he is considering opening a station next to his store.
Alan Mansfield told reporters it wouldn’t be part of the Home Hardware franchise, but as an independent owner he could add to the current business.
He says he hadn’t considered a gas station until the closure of Noah’s Gas and Conveience.
“This is a decision based on community need as well as for our own business.”
If all goes well, Mansfield says he could have a gas station up and running by the May Long weekend.
In the meantime, Johnson says it’s up to residents to let their friends know they can’t get gas in the community.
There will also be a need for signage on either side of the province, indicating how long drivers will go without gas.
But Johnson stresses, visitors should know, this is a ‘temporary set back’ and not a permanent situation.
Story and photo by Brittany Wentzell
Twitter: @BrittWentzell
Email: wentzell.brittany@radioabl.ca
