A large crowd turned out last Thursday for the grand opening of the new Parrish and Heimbecker grain elevator in the municipality of Westlake-Gladstone. Mayor David Single says it was a great day, noting they've been working for years to get this project underway. Single says the municipality had to close roads and build new roads, and their staff worked diligently to get everything in order. He adds the new elevator means jobs for Gladstone and it's beneficial for farmers from both inside and outside the community.

Agassiz MLA Eileen Clarke says she was overwhelmingly happy with the grand opening. Clarke notes she's been a huge supporter of Gladstone and area, adding she always felt there was so much untapped potential in the region. She says seeing the grain elevator completed is like a dream come true.

Clint Rogers, general manager for Parrish and Heimbecker in Gladstone, notes this is a state of the art facility and he was very pleased with the large turnout for their grand opening. Rogers says he's hoping to see in excess of two hundred and fifty thousand tonnes shipped every two weeks, adding down the road he would like to see even more expansion.