The Weyburn Chamber of Commerce recognized business achievements during their sixth biennial WEYBEX awards, held on Friday night.
The Weyburn Chamber of Commerce recognized business achievements during their sixth biennial WEYBEX awards, held on Friday night.
The WEYBEX awards are presented in six different categories, including the Business of the Year award, sponsored by Prairie Sky Co-op; the Business Leader of the Year award, sponsored by Cenovus Energy; the New and Expanded Business award, sponsored by Community Futures Sunrise; the Golden Service award, sponsored by MNP; the Community Involvement award, sponsored by Sask-Energy; and the Business Hall of Fame awards, sponsored by New Age Electronics.
PAR Contracting won the Business of the Year award, and earlier in the evening were also presented with the Community Involvement award. Ron and Patty Evans were quite humbled by both awards.
When their company name was announced at the Business of the Year recipient, Patty and Ron were overwhelmed with congratulations from their staff, their friends and family. They were also overwhelmed with emotion when they reached the podium, giving simple thanks.
Earlier in the evening, when they received the Community Involvement award, both Patty and Ron spoke more in depth about their company, and the various ways they give back to the community of Weyburn.
"At PAR contracting, we like to keep it simple; that is how we got our name PAR - Patty and Ron," said Ron.
"We started as a small, community-rooted business and over the years have continuously expanded," said Patty.
She added that over the years PAR Contracting has always kept community service as one of their most important priorities.
"The success of our business and community support that we provide would not be possible without our hard-working and dedicated staff who not only strive for perfection at work, but in the community that they reside in as well," said Patty.
John Hulbert, of John Hulbert Construction, won the Business Leader of the Year award. John was unable to attend the WEYBEX event, but had previously recorded his reaction.
John credited his parents for giving him the opportunity to grow up in the construction industry and the life lessons that they had taught him. He also noted the integral part that his wife Tanya plays in the company.
"We are fortunate to work with a great team of local sub-trades, that make our projects possible," said Hulbert. "Also, the community and local businesses have given us overwhelming support over the years, and we appreciate it."
His father Gord Hulbert accepted the award on his behalf.
Receiving the Golden Service award was Myrna McFadden of M&M Concessions. M&M Concessions has provided food service across multiple platforms for over 30 years, and has built a customer-first attitude while meeting community needs.
"When you run your own business, it is a challenge every day, but it is the most rewarding at the end of the day," said McFadden. "I am lucky that I have employees who show up for work everyday, and we love what we do together."
Winning the New or Expanded Business award was Streamline Oilfield Services. Steamline has grown from a couple of trucks to a staff of 38 in a brand new shop on 11 acres of land, all in the last two years.
"A lot of long hours have gone into this business and building this business," said Jason Peterson, manager of Streamline Oilfield Services.
"Two years ago, when we started this business, we were lucky to have Don Sanders join our team."
"Don has been a huge part of growing this business, getting the customers that we have, and providing us with management, dispatch and leadership. Those are amazing qualities to get out of one guy," said Peterson.
"It is exciting to be in the province of Saskatchewan right now, especially since for the last few years the province has been booming," said Peterson. "Also it is exciting to be in the community of Weyburn. Kelly (Brady) and I both live in Weyburn and are very proud of that."
"We were able to build and start a business right here in our community, and that is something that we are very happy about. There are a lot of great leaders in this community."
Three businesses were inducted into the Business Hall of Fame: La Mirage Hair Studio, M&M Concessions and ProTouch Signs. La Mirage started as Rick's Barber Shop in 1968, and over the years has become a pillar of the community.
M&M Concessions has provided high quality food and service at Crescent Point Place in Weyburn for over 30 years. ProTouch Signs started with Ernie Pokletar and was taken over by Don Pokletar, and has provided service for over 49 years.
Following are the businesses that were also nominated in the different categories: in the Community Involvement category were Access Communications, Aaron Well Servicing, and the King George Hotel and Fitzgerald's Pub and Grill.
In the Golden Service category were Swayze Concrete, Knibbs/associates Sourcing People and Access Communications. In the New or Expanded Business category were M&M Concessions and XS-IV Holdings.
