Manitouwadge’s Lone Gas Station Under Construction
MANITOUWADGE, ON – Residents and visitors to Manitouwadge will have noticed recently, much construction underway at B & L Reddick Petro Canada gas station and convenience store, customers will be glad to know Owner, Barry Reddick assures us that the worst is behind.
Reddick has done all he could to ensure gas services were as un-interrupted as possible for customers during the transition of the station from a Petro Canada to the new branding, which will be official in October, as an Esso. He explained that with the time having come for tanks to be changed, Esso was willing to offer some assistance and though minimal, it was more than he was being offered by Petro Canada.
Changes customers can expect are to see tanks now above ground and the full service gas station becoming a self-serve; something that will no doubt have most effect when winter rolls around and customers are standing in frigid temps pumping their own gas. As for gas jockeys, Reddick was confident that no lay-offs would be required “There’s still plenty of work to be done, they may see a slight reduction in hours but we don’t plan on letting anyone go”. Good news for Manitouwadge Youth as B&L has long been an employer of local students including it’s usual team of 3 gas jockeys and 3 cashiers in addition to the family members which staff the business.
More good news, Reddick ventured to guess that gas prices could be slightly reduced “It wouldn’t be by a lot, but we may see the difference as gas will now be coming from Sault Ste. Marie rather than Thunder Bay”; Thunder Bay of course is well known for having some of the most expensive gas in all of Ontario.
Barry Reddick apologized to customers for any inconvenience the switch may cause, adding that it should be wrapped up within about a week and half.
MORE INFORMATION
- What’s that smell? The strong odour of gas which can be smelt at the property is due to a leak which had occured in a tank some 40+ years and 2 owners ago. Though it had been minor, because it had no where to dissipate it stayed locked in the soil until being dug up for the current changes.
- Why is all the dirt piled on the lot? Well, in the interest of avoiding extra costs which would of course be passed along to customers, Reddick opted to keep all dirt/soil on the lot to be re-buried otherwise they would have incurred the added costs of environmental testing, disposal of the sand, and the possible need for new sand with which to back fill any excavations.
RELATED LINKS
- Want to claim your Petro-points? CLICK HERE for more information.
- Learn about ESSO Rewards you can now apply for.
