When Shell’s doors close at the end of September, a piece of Alberta history will end, too. “This station—as far as I can understand—has been in this spot since 1936. And this is the first Shell Oil Agency in Alberta,” said Madore. The first owner was Peter Noullet.
“The shop will be closed at the end of July, just because I have to get rid of all this equipment and stuff.”
There will be only three gas stations left in Jasper after Shell closes.
Anytime that we see a reduction of services and/or availability of product in the community, we are concerned,” said Pattie Pavlov, manager of the Jasper Park Chamber of Commerce. “We know there will be an impact, not just on our visitors, which is obviously one of the most important things, but also on our residents.”
The repercussions will be felt mainly in the summer months, when Jasper experiences a significant increase in vehicle traffic. As it stands now, there are already lineups at all the pumps in town.
When the Esso station at the east end of Connaught Drive closed last year, an Edmonton franchise owner from a different company was interested in the site, but things didn’t pan out. “Having said that, this [additional gas station] availability might rekindle something,” said Pavlov.
Another company or private buyer could purchase Shell’s soon-to-end lease and set up shop “if they have lots of money,” said Madore. “I personally can’t afford the property.”
If the Shell station were to be re-developed, the site would have to sit vacant and go through a remediation process—like all closed gas stations—to ensure it’s up to environmental standards. This process can take years.
Madore doesn’t want to see Shell close, but her hands are tied. “I’m sorry, I can’t do anything about it, really and truly.
“I’m going to miss my staff, my customers, and long-time customers. There are locals that have been coming here as long as I’ve been here, and even longer.”
Shell Canada did not respond to an interview request before press time.
