The Community Event Center is starting a bus service for LNG workers to give Vanderhoof’s economy an added local boost.
Jon and Lana Olson started the Community Event Center which was formally the Elks Hall in 2018.
“We are grateful for the economic boost the pipeline has created for our community. And that is where the Community Event Center Courtesy Coach was born.”
“If we could transport the employees to our business community, not just our business, but all Vanderhoof businesses, we could experience an added boost to our local economy,” Olson (Lana) said.
As most employees of the camp are without transportation, work long hours and have no access to Vanderhoof’s business community, the Olson’s thought it would benefit the community if they invested in a bus.
She said they are aware of the re-opening restrictions in place with COVID-19 and will ensure proper social distancing, provide hand sanitizer’s, regular bus cleaning and more. These same practices will apply at the Community Event Center as well.
The opening night for the Courtesy Shuttle is Friday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. LNG workers will be brought to town in the evening and will be dropped back to the camp after half an hour, Olson said, adding the schedule for Saturday will be the same.
On Sundays, the shuttle will start at 12 p.m. at the camp and Olson said they are working with other businesses in town to create activities for the pipeline workers to participate in.
“We encourage our business community to reach out to us at the center with ideas,” Olson said.
This Sunday, Sept. 6, the Center has a “movie and dinner” planned for workers using the shuttle, with Grand Reo Theatre.
“Jon and I are excited for the opportunity this will bring to our community. We are open minded to accommodate the employees, the company and our business community,” Olson added.
The Community Event Center is a full service event center offering venue, catering, DJ and bar service. Due to the pandemic, the duo were unable to host events.
“That is when we knew we had to diversify our business if we were going to survive the pandemic,” she said.
Currently, the Center has two mobile food trucks in operation five days a week and they also put together a full menu for delivery and pick-up.
In June this year, Lana and Jon also opened Sweet Scoops Ice Cream Shop.
“We are sincerely grateful for the support of the food trucks and Ice cream shop,” she added.
Aman Parhar
Editor, Vanderhoof Omineca Express
aman.parhar@ominecaexpress.com
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