Jasper Towing would like to construct a two-storey building in Jasper鈥檚 Stan Wright Industrial Park to house its staff, according to plans revealed during a Planning and Development Advisory Committee (PDAC) meeting, Aug. 18.
The proposed building would also include underground parking in the basement for commercial vehicles while the top floor would be developed into three two-bedroom apartments, designed to accommodate the company鈥檚 employees. If approved, the main level would be used for the commercial part of the business, which would include a mechanic鈥檚 garage.
The plan is to build the structure on three lots of Block S鈥擲tan Wright Drive.
鈥淧eople don鈥檛 often understand what our towing company does for this community. We鈥檙e often called upon to assist with other emergency services like the fire department, ambulance and police. And we are expected to show up and operate at the same standard that they do,鈥� said Jasper Towing co-owner Ryker Indic during his presentation.
鈥淐urrently we鈥檝e been struggling to do that because our current facility is inadequate to meet those standards.鈥�
Jasper Towing is currently located at 42 Stan Wright Dr.
This isn鈥檛 the first time the towing company has gone to PDAC with this proposal. Jasper Towing has been locally owned and operated for 47 years, however, Indic said his family has been gunning for this new building for the past 43 years and has sent several applications to PDAC over the decades.
鈥淪taff accommodation in Block S has been a long time coming,鈥� Indic said. 鈥淚f approved we hope this can lead to future development of Block S.鈥�
To further back up his argument, Indic pointed out that CN has been using their building in the industrial park to accommodate staff for more than a decade. However, according to Kate Fenske, manager of CN public affairs, CN鈥檚 Jasper Bunkhouse sleeping accommodations are only designed for out of town employees who are between train trips or working shifts.
Indic also noted that Banff is allowed to incorporate apartments within its service district.
鈥淏anff is often seen as an example of how national parks in this country should be built so I hope we can follow suit with them,鈥� Indic said.
Jasper Towing currently has six employees, however, should the new building be approved, Indic said he would like to add two to four new staff members.
In closing questions, PDAC member Angie Lemire asked Indic if any of the proposed staff accommodations were empty would he be willing to rent them out to other staff in town.
In response, Indic said he doesn鈥檛 believe he will have any problem filling the apartments with staff, but if one of the apartments becomes vacant then he would consider letting others use the space.
鈥淚f the need arises for the Town of Jasper to have additional staff accommodations then we could look into that,鈥� Indic said.
PDAC now has a month to make a decision on Jasper Towing鈥檚 proposal.
Kayla Byrne [email protected]
