Aurora feels out city’s vibe

By Collin Gallant on October 27, 2018.

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com @CollinGallant

Aurora Cannabis is introducing itself to the public in Medicine Hat, and officials with the company that plans to build a massive production facility here say the reception has been warm.

David Howe is a community relations manager with the Edmonton-based company, and he and human resources staff are at this weekend’s Great West Home Trade Show, taking the temperature of and answering queries of residents and potential job seekers.

“The first question is ‘where do I apply’,” said Howe as trade show goers crowded around the company’s booth, curiously asking about the sector, the construction process for the huge greenhouse as well as hiring practices.

“It’s pretty good, pretty positive … (employment) is the big benefit that we’re bringing to the community and the amount of money we’re pouring into this community.

“It’s a $150-million-plus investment, and we’re excited to be part of this community in particular.

“It was particularly hard hit in the last economic downturn, and we feel we can offer stable, long-term diversified jobs.”

That building process will be on schedule to begin operations in mid-2019, then ramp up as construction on the modular greenhouse is completed in rolling fashion.

Over the same time, hiring will also ramp up as space becomes available in the 1.2-million square-foot facility

“The goal today is to take in resumes so that we’re not at square one when we begin the major hiring,” said Howe.

“It’s a good first step and we want to build that interest and find out who wants to be working at the facility.”

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The company announced last April it had bought private land in Medicine Hat, and signed a power supply agreement for city utilities.

City council, which approved a $6.6-million break on the company’s development fees, described the deal in terms of a once-in-a-generation economic development announcement with 350 jobs attached.

Some of the job descriptions provided to show-goers on Friday were for electricians, irrigation workers, shift leaders, maintenance and administrative staff.

Howe says the company is now actively recruiting senior staff and some other positions, with the bulk of hiring to follow in early 2019.

Human resource staff are on site to take resumes and describe positions of cultivating.

In terms of construction prospects, Dyllan Dokken, a contracted project manager David Robinson Construction, said about 80 per cent of the screw-piles required for the foundation are in place, and once those are in place the structure of the huge facility will “snap together” pretty easily.

Dawson Wallace is the main contractor, and contracts out subtrades, and will likely require labour as well.

Dokken is finishing work at the company’s 800,000 square-foot facility, Aurora Sky, near Leduc, where he estimates that workers on site during construction could peak at 400 or more.

“We’re going to try to hire as many local (workers) as possible during construction,” said Howe. “And for operations, it’s easier to hire local people than import staff.”