Salt River First Nation's new on-reserve fuel-up spot is ready to serve
Elaine Anselmi
Northern News Services
Saturday, November 7, 2015
THEBACHA/FORT SMITH
The Salt River First Nation celebrated the opening of its wholly-owned and operated gas station and convenience store on Nov. 2.
Several dignitaries cut the ribbon on the new gas station, including Coun. Ray Tourangeau (not pictured), president and chief operating officer, Canadian Utilities - Atco Group Siegfried Kiefer, left, Chief Frieda Martselos, Petro Canada dealer development representative Allan Deacon, Salt River First Nation CEO Allen Stanzell, Coun. Patsy Schaefer. - photo courtesy of Salt River First Nation
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"On behalf of the Salt River First Nation Council, I'd like to welcome our dignitaries, members of Salt River First Nation, and community members to our state-of-the-art facility grand opening," chief Frieda Martselos told the crowd of approximately 100 people at the opening.
"Our Petro Canada Gas Bar and Convenience Store is an amazing project comparable to what you would see in downtown Edmonton or Calgary."
The gas station project is the culmination of about five years of work, according to a Salt River First Nation spokesperson who declined to be named.
The new facility is located on the reserve, on Trout Street, between McDougal Rd. and Highway 5 - alongside the site of the former gas bar.
"This new business is 100 per cent owned and operated by the Salt River First nation #195," Martselos said.
"Today's event signifies that any group can meet their goals no matter how big if they work together, put their mind to it and stay on track."
She continued that the whole community would benefit from the new business and members should be proud to know that it belongs to all of them.
She also thanked the community of Fort Smith and welcomed residents to come fill up at the new gas station and shop at the convenience store.
A spokesperson for the nation did not respond to further requests for comment by press time.
