Article content material

It should be unusual to go to work by way of a distinct route after 40 years on the identical tackle, however that’s what Metro Ford normal supervisor Bryan Benny is doing for the reason that dealership left downtown to relocate into the 530-acre Taza Park on Tsuut’ina lands.

Article content material

It’s been 40 years for Benny, however Metro Ford had been promotin
g and servicing autos on the nook of ninth Avenue and 11^th Road S.W. since 1970. It was based by Invoice Pattemore 60 years in the past alongside Centre Road within the coronary heart of downtown.

Article content material

The primary change was as a result of good enterprise meant it merely outgrew its area and located 5 acres of land for lease — owned by Marathon Realty — on which Pattemore constructed his 52,000-square-foot, trendy dealership.

There have been quite a few dealerships within the core within the Nineteen Sixties, together with Hammil, Renfrew, Calgary Motor Merchandise and Common. None of them stay there right now.

When Pattemore died in 1985, his spouse, Margo, took over working the corporate as the primary feminine Ford dealership principal in Canada. In 1991, Margo handed the torch to son Reg, who stays seller right now.

Metro Ford has loved an amazingly future within the core, however site visitors patterns and downtown dynamics have modified — though the primary causes for his determination to relocate once more is the enterprise vastly outgrew its restricted area and the lengthy lease was nearing its finish. Nevertheless it was additionally a little bit of a reduction, as being in downtown Calgary he was paying one of many highest property taxes of any Ford seller in Canada.

Article content material

Article content material

Pattemore additionally believes that his new web site — simply south of the Gray Eagle On line casino off Glenmore Path S.W. — will turn out to be one other common Calgary vacation spot space. A Chrysler Jeep and a Volkswagen dealership are to be opened on adjoining properties.

At 80,000 sq. ft, the brand new dealership on an 8.2-acre parcel is sort of double the dimensions of the 9^th Avenue location and is the primary in Calgary to observe the brand new Ford Signature Design, proper all the way down to showroom specifics in glass and tile.

Two different long-standing Calgary corporations, Rick Balbi Architect and Barjac Development Administration, who’ve teamed to construct many Calgary dealerships, have been answerable for the design and building of the brand new Metro Ford.

The constructing boasts a powerful 200-foot glass fascia and a variety of high-tech options that enable for the very best care in your automobile. Driving into the service lane of the expanded check-in space, whereas nonetheless in your automobile it’s checked for alignment on the Hunter rack, and tire strain and put on — irrespective of the model — is measured, whereas 40 photographs of the outside of the automobile are taken, together with the licence plate to assist hold monitor of its progress.

Article content material

After a report from a service adviser, the automobile is moved into one of many store’s 44 bays, all that includes the most recent ultramodern gear. And whereas work is being performed, prospects can get pleasure from a cappuccino in a snug lounge that additionally serves as a viewing space into the store.

Purchasers of recent autos will likely be handled to a digitally related expertise as they sit above the Supply Celebration Bay with an adviser, who goes via the entire automobile’s options on-screen to exhibit every little thing from opening the hood to working local weather management.

The brand new dealership is a testomony to the Pattemore household’s dedication to Ford and to this metropolis.

The subsequent era has already been properly groomed within the business. After incomes his enterprise diploma on the College of British Columbia, son Liam Pattemore went on to check seller administration within the automotive program on the Automotive Enterprise College at Georgian Faculty. He at present serves because the dealership’s assistant normal supervisor.

Notes:

The Chickwagon will likely be racing once more for one evening within the Calgary Stampede’s Rangeland Derby, on July 12. Based in 1999, the Chickwagon Basis for Girls rai
sed $500,000 for charities in its six years of operations. The decision is out for alumni — there should be a number of hundred — to attend that evening of their pink cowgirl hats. Be part of the Fb group to register for a enjoyable evening.

David Parker seems commonly within the Herald. Learn his columns on-line at calgaryherald.com/enterprise. He may be reached at 403-830-4622 or by e-mail at data@davidparker.ca

Article content material