Innisfail's automobile landscape will be changing in March 2015 with the addition of a new Dodge Chrysler Ram Jeep dealership on the northeast corner of town.
Cam Clark Development Corporation, in association with local entrepreneur Mark Crawford, will be operating Crawford Motors, which will sell Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep and Ram vehicles. Crawford will be the dealer principal for the new business. Cam Clark Ford operates dealerships in Olds, Airdrie, Red Deer and North Vancouver, making Innisfail his fifth location.
“We welcome economic development of any sort,” said Craig Teal, Innisfail's director of planning and development. “Along with the car dealership with a permit value of close to $3.5 million and the jobs they will bring, it's another addition to our east-side Highway 2A business area.”
The Town of Innisfail's Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) decision was made at its June 3 meeting to allow the development of the new car dealership at 5110-40 Ave. with several relaxations to landscaping requirements, which included stipulations to numbers of trees and shrubs. The request was approved unanimously.
“The building will be approximately 24,500 square feet and include a showroom, 13 service bays, which will include a quick-lube bay and parking for a good selection of new and used vehicles,” said Ken Scheurer, project manager for the new Crawford Motors. “We hope to open in March of 2015 to serve the Innisfail market.”
According to Scheurer, the dealership will stretch from fire hydrant to fire hydrant north of Integra Tire beside Boston Pizza. Construction has been in progress since mid-September and the in-ground plumbing is presently being installed on-site with a building foundation rising from the ground.
The manager noted the project has been in the works for a year and a half and the weather has been their biggest obstacle in the preliminary stages of construction.
“If it gets wet, then we are not able to work on the slick ground. Once we get asphalt down, it will be a much smoother process,” said Scheurer. “As soon as the shell is up, it will go quickly.”
Crawford is a local businessman who presently operates Venture Energy Services out of Red Deer and has been active in several other businesses. He was unavailable for comment about the new Crawford Motors dealership.
The Innisfail automobile market is presently being served by Palliser Chevrolet, Fourlane Ford, and the Innisfail Truck Ranch.
