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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Global economic uncertainty isn't stopping the construction of a multi-faceted truck stop in Fort Simpson.

The market downturn delayed but didn't halt the plan for the business, said Gilbert Cazon, the interim general manager for Nogha Enterprises Ltd.

The economic downturn delayed the completion of Fort of the Forks, which is currently a convenience store and gas bar in Fort Simpson, but the trailers for the executive camp and restaurant are expected to arrive in early March. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photos

Fort of the Forks is the product of a partnership between Liidlii Kue First Nation, Landmark Logistics Ltd. and Sodexo, a company that provides integrated food and facilities management services in a variety of countries worldwide.

On Nov. 3 only the convenience store and gas bar portions of the project were opened for business.

The $4-million project, located where Highway 1 branches off from Fort Simpson on its way to Wrigley, will include a 48 person camp, a restaurant, a kitchen and a conference room.

The trailers that will house the rest of the facilities are scheduled to start the journey from Edmonton on Feb. 28 and reach the site by March 3, said Cazon.

Delays with the trailers have caused the timeline for the completion of the camp and other facilities to be revised multiple times, he said.

Cazon said economic hardships are to blame for the project's delay.

"A lot of the contractors we contracted went under," he said.

One of these companies was Modern Industrial Structures Inc. from Saskatchewan that was originally contracted for the construction and instillation of all the trailers.

When the company declared bankruptcy Fort of the Forks had to look for a new contractor, Cazon said.

Fort of the Forks wasn't the only business affected by the closure of Modern Industrial Structures.

Two small, local businesses were left unpaid for services they performed.

Both Prevost Electric Ltd. and Bob's Mechanical were contacted by Modern Industrial Structures to do the electrical work needed to link the trailers for the convenience store at the site.

Norm Prevost, the owner of Prevost Electric, said he started to get concerned when 90 days passed and his invoice hadn't been paid. Prevost made calls to the company that were never returned.

On Feb. 13, Prevost and Bob Hanna, the owner of Bob's Mechanical, both received notices the company had filed for bankruptcy and insolvency. The two Fort Simpson companies are listed among the creditors with amounts owing of $3,950.08 and $1,563.68 respectively.

Prevost isn't expecting to see much, if any, of the money that's owed to him.

"I don't think we're going to be very high up on the list," he said.

"I don't think we'll get anything."

Prevost said he's disappointed because he thought Fort of the Forks was a local business and that, as a result, he would receive more support

Cazon said he became aware of the situation on Feb. 22 and that it's unfortunate. The problem, however, is the responsibility of Modern Industrial Structures, not Nogha or Sodexo, he said.

"It has nothing to do with us," said Cazon.

As a result of the situation, however, Nogha is implementing a new practice. Nogha will now pay local contractors who do work on a project and Nogha will then be responsible for getting the money from the larger, out of town contractors, said Cazon.

For Prevost this new policy holds little comfort.

"It's too little to late," said Prevost.

"I can't afford to work on this project anymore."

Despite the difficulties with the manufacturing and installment of the trailers none of the three groups in the Fort of the Forks partnership are worried about what else the market uncertainty could bring.

"It hasn't been a concern to the client and us," Cazon said.

Cazon includes the trucking industry and the government of the Northwest Territories among the groups that are interested Fort of the Forks' services.

At the convenience store and gas bar the winter road traffic is providing a boost to the business.

"In February as soon as it warmed up a bit it went berserk," said John Tauscher, the operations manager for Fort of the Forks.

People travelling on the road from communities such as Deline, Fort Good Hope and Wrigley stop to purchase gas and food, said Tauscher. Transport truck drivers are also frequenting the business.

There have been up to 10 tractor-trailers parked in the yard overnight while the drivers rest. The business will only get busier when the room and restaurant facilities are available, he said.

"Everyone's looking forward to that," said Tauscher.

Cazon said he expects to have all components of the project open in time for the Beavertail Jamboree, during the second week in March.