The large green lawn in front of Alcatel Canada Wire's plant in Weyburn will soon disappear as construction begins this week on a $20 million-plus expansion that will double the plant's capacity and add 60 new jobs.

News of the expansion of Alcatel's power cable plant came at a sod-turning ceremony on Monday afternoon, emceed by plant manager John Murray. Dignitaries included Brian Tinkler, vice president and general manager of power cables for Alcatel in North America; Deputy Premier Dwain Lingenfelter, minister of Crown Investments Corporation; MLA Judy Bradley and Mayor Don Schlosser.

The hard work and efficiency of the workers in the Weyburn plant played a large role in bringing the plant expansion to Weyburn instead of to the United States, said Tinkler.

"This expansion is really a credit to the employees of the Weyburn plant, who have earned it by having a cost-efficient operation and an outstanding record for customer service. In fact, the project is a victory for the Weyburn plant, because the other alternative was to build a brand new plant in the U.S. to expand the company's capacity," said Tinkler.

Murray echoed those comments, saying Weyburn deserves the expansion after the team effort exhibited by the facility's workers, as a large number of Alcatel workers listened to the announcement in the plant's parking lot.

"We've all worked hard to make this a low-cost high-output facility. We produce the goods, and it's good to know we got this plant rather than building a plant in the U.S.," said the plant manager, adding, "Once you are first, you need to stay first."

The expansion will see the addition of 40,000 square feet and new high-technology equipment, which will double the production capacity of the plant. The plant produces a range of power distribution cables and overhead transmission conductors for the electrical utility industry.

Deputy Premier Lingenfelter recalled when he was at the plant recently to give them an award from SaskPower, and was given a tour of the plant. While on the roof, Tinkler said to him at that time there was a possibility the Weyburn plant could be expanding.

"I asked why in Weyburn, and he said really it was due to the efficiency of the workers, which were second to none to anyone in the world. We forget sometimes we have the best workforce and the most skilled people here in Saskatchewan," said Lingenfelter.

SaskPower makes 90 per cent of their purchases within the province, he added, including cable from the Alcatel plant.

"This is great news for the City of Weyburn. Your dedication to providing a quality product to your customers has led to the expansion here," said Mayor Schlosser.

In an interview later, the mayor said they are in discussions with some companies associated with Alcatel, as they are interested in relocating to Weyburn now that this expansion will be taking place. He said the city expects there will be some announcements made soon, as Alcatel is planning to have the construction complete and ready for operation by the summer of 2000.

The plant expansion will also mean increased tax revenues for the city, along with the benefits from having an additional 60 more workers in the community, he said.

City council has given Alcatel a tax break for a period of time based on the number of new jobs created.

Council also heard later that evening that the city's Development Appeal Board approved the construction of the plant facility beyond the boundaries set out in the city's zoning bylaws. The north side of their building will have a setback of six inches rather than the three metres required by the bylaw, and the rear yard setback will be 3.43 m rather than 7.6 m.

The building on the north side will measure 81 feet by 368 feet, and on the south side will measure 60 by 90 feet, according to the Development Appeal Board document provided to council. The DAB noted in its decision that no area property owners voiced any concerns about the development, and approval "does not grant a special privilege inconsistent with the restrictions on neighbouring properties nor is it a relaxation of the provisions of the zoning bylaw." The decision took effect on Monday, the day the announcement was made.

The provincial government will not have a part of the expansion beyond being a customer of Alcatel, said Lingenfelter, along with involvement in job training once that starts up.

Through the departments of Economic Development and Education, funding through the JobStart/Future Skills program will be provided for up to half of the training costs of the new employees once those jobs are in place and production begins, he said. The dollars are only provided when actual jobs are created.

Alcatel employs 120,000 people in more than 130 countries, and worldwide sales totalled $25 billion U.S. in 1998.