Celebrating a Decade in Business in the Comox Valley

This week, we are celebrating the tenth anniversary of our Courtenay branch, which officially opened for business on January 12, 2007. Operating out of the basement of Bazett Land Surveying, the original staff included two engineers. Growing steadily over the last decade, the Courtenay branch now employs four engineers, four technologists, an office administrator and two field inspectors. The physical office has grown also, with an initial relocation in 2008 to a new space on Cousins Avenue that was renovated in 2016 to add three more work stations.

Weathering the 2008 recession was challenging for the Courtenay branch, but being retained by Public Works and Government Services Canada for civil engineering services on a two year contract in 2010 helped the business through the tough post-recession years of 2009 and 2011. The Courtenay branch has been awarded the same contract again in 2012, 2014 and most recently 2016. Providing services to developers in the Peace River Country of northern BC, along with all three prairie provinces, further helped diversify the Courtenay branch’s client base.

Some highlights from the past decade include working for the Comox Valley Regional District to prepare the Regional Water Supply Strategy, being the engineers for the new Holiday Inn Express, providing engineering services to the Prime Chophouse and Wine bar, and completing the K’omoks First Nation’s new administration building on Comox Road

The business milestone will be celebrated by community members in the administration building at the K’omoks First Nation on Thursday, January 12. The public is invited to attend; tickets are available from the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce at comoxvalleychamber.com.

Courtenay branch manager Andrew Gower, states, “Considering how few businesses survive five – let alone ten – years, we’re happy to be in business, and thrilled by our success. We couldn’t do it without our team, the rest of Wedler supporting us, and of course, our clients!”

Wedler has been a strong corporate citizen in the Comox Valley, providing sponsorship to various organizations including the Comox Valley Kickers Rugby Club, Boomer’s Legacy, Trail Bicycle racing team, and the 2015 National Aboriginal Day celebrations at the K’omoks First Nation featuring a Tribe called Red. The Wedler Courtenay team has also participated in community building events including Car Free Sunday, Elevate the Arts and TEDxComoxValley. Wedler has also been a long-time supporter of the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce, including sponsoring the annual Young Entrepreneurs Award since its inception in 2012.