It is said “If you build it, they will come.”
Last weekend, it happened in spades with the grand opening of Fergus Walmart Supercentre.
Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce president Janet Harrop welcomed those attending.
“It’s great to see so many people out,” Harrop said, adding, “Walmart has become a member of the chamber and the chamber is a champion of business.” She appreciated that as a new business, Walmart is involved in the community and providing new job opportunities for people.
The 96,000 square-foot facility will employ 168 associates (Walmart received 1,500 applications for roles such as cashiers, sales associates, and other hourly positions).
Centre Wellington Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj said it has been a long journey to reach this point.
“I’m so pleased to be here today with so many people to celebrate this grand opening.” Of the 7am ceremony, she quipped, “this is the earliest I’ve ever gotten up for a meeting.”
“It has been a journey and you have persevered. We are just delighted that so many employment opportunities have been brought to our community. On behalf of the township and the county, I would like to thank you so much for choosing to be in our Fergus location. We’re glad to have you.”
Store manager, Steve Vial agreed it had been a journey to reach this point – “a phenomenal journey.” He said it was like six weeks in isolation getting the store operational.
“I’m proud to share this occasion with our associates, business partners and the community,” said Vial.
“I personally want to thank Fergus for its warm welcome. Over the past few weeks, the entire Walmart team has worked hard to construct this store. We want to say thanks to everyone who helped along the way. In my heart you guys are heroes.”
At that point he introduced the team of managers to the community. He also extended his thanks to those involved in the McDonald’s McCafé at the Fergus location.
“Together we share a common commitment to offer quality products, exceptional customer service and support to our community,” said Vial.
McCafé owner John Moseley-Williams said “we are so happy to be at the Fergus Walmart.” He said the Fergus location will be the “first McCafé within a Walmart anywhere in the world.”
He added, “We’re going to have a lot of fun and we need your input to make it successful.”
Vial noted that last year, Walmart ran a contest for Mom of the Year to recognize all the incredible moms across Canada – and Karen Whitford, of Fergus, was one of the eight finalists.
“It is an accomplishment that both she and we are very proud of,” said Vial, adding Whitford has gone above and beyond throughout her life to care for others.
“We are not only proud that she is here today, but [that she also] agreed to cut the ribbon at the front of the store.”
Whitford said in her nomination as Mom of the Year, her son had written about her work as a volunteer in the community, her role as a mother, and her donation of her kidney to her sister.
“When we got the email stating I was one of the finalists, my family was beyond excited,” said Whitford. Besides receiving a “weekend of a lifetime,” Whitford said Walmart is donating $10,000 to her favourite charity – The Kidney Foundation of Canada.
“Kidney disease affects my whole family in one way or another. So this donation is extremely meaningful to me,” she said. “Now we are excited about the grand opening here, now if I run out of milk, it’s only 100 metres from my house.”
She thanked Walmart for giving her the experience and “the chance to welcome the store and the staff to my neighbourhood.”
Walmart District 9 manager Lori-Ann Romano saw the event as a fantastic celebration and a fantastic store. She shared messages relating to the growth, culture and the “winning team” at Walmart. Romano said the first Walmart in Canada opened in 1994.
She said 30 of the Fergus Walmart associates transferred from other Walmarts, with 15 promoted to be at the new store, while 138 are brand new to Walmart.
“What is so impressive and inspiring to me is that although we have grown significantly, our culture and beliefs have remained the same.”
To the associates and management team at Fergus (store 1130), Romano said, “You are a winning team. You have demonstrated outstanding communication, commitment, collaboration and cohesiveness … I’m proud to be part of your winning team.”
Central Operations senior vice president Randy Gerrie said “this is an exciting day for me – for someone who was born in this town at Groves Memorial Hospital.”
Gerrie said he first circled this date on his calendar “a couple of years ago.” He noted there had been some trials and tribulations with the site.
Gerrie said he left town a few years ago, “but I always come home because my mom still lives here.”
Though not out to the event itself, Gerrie anticipated his mother will be a customer “and looking for all the deals you can give her.” Gerrie added his brother lives right behind the store site as well.
Part of the reason behind the early morning opening, Gerrie explained, was to celebrate the associates.
He said stores can deal with various issues “but we cannot do it without the folks in the blue vests. The heart of the store is the associates.”
He quipped that this was not even the original site considered. He noted the Fergus opening was just one of several slated for the day across the country.
“It is an exciting time to be at Walmart,” said Gerrie.
Vial noted Walmart is proud to be part of the community and was involved in several fundraising initiatives on behalf of the community.
Those efforts raised $8,500 for the local community – with matching grants from the home office, Vial said.
Cheques were presented that morning to: Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games, $1,000; Centre Wellington District High School food program, $1,000; Victoria Terrace Public School, $500; Fergus Food Bank, $500; Centre Wellington Minor Hockey, $1,000; and Groves Memorial Hospital Foundation, $3,000.
Gerrie said it was exciting to see Walmart being able to give back to the community.
The Fergus Walmart Supercentre, one of 73 projects planned for the company’s current fiscal year, offers a full line of groceries, including a bakery, deli, meat and dairy products and fresh produce, as well as electronics, home décor and apparel.
One-stop shopping
The 96,000 square foot supercentre offers a full line of groceries including a bakery, a deli, meat and dairy products, fresh produce, electronics, home décor and apparel, creating a one-stop shopping destination.
New jobs in community
The Fergus Walmart store employs 168 associates. To fill these positions, Walmart received 1,500 applications for roles such as cashiers, sales associates, and other hourly positions.
Community involvement
As part of Walmart’s mission to helping Canadian families in need, more than $5,000 in donations will be presented to community organizations. The store will build on these donations with additional charitable and community support and fundraising throughout the year.
About Walmart Canada
Walmart Canada was established in 1994 with the acquisition of the Woolco chain. Over the past 18 years, Walmart Canada has more than doubled the number of stores in Canada and more than tripled the number of associates, creating a strong, stable retail chain which offers career opportunities.
With 90,000 associates, Walmart Canada is one of Canada’s largest employers and is recognized by Waterstone Human Capital as having one of Canada’s top 10 corporate cultures. Walmart Canada is focused on helping Canadian families in need. Since 1994, Walmart has donated and raised more than $160 million to Canadian charities and not-for-profit organizations.
