SNC SADDENED BY ST. ALBERT CHEESE FACTORY FIRE
The South Nation Conservation board of directors and staff wish to express their sympathy to the St. Albert Cheese Factory cooperative and residents of the village following the devastating fire Feb. 3 at the century-old business.
The regional milk processing plant and cultural institution employing more than 100 area residents was completely destroyed. Down but far from out, co-op board members and senior staff are already discussing rebuilding plans.
For close to a decade, factory management has been an active partner in SNC’s Clean Water Program, donating $50,000 to various projects during that time period, said Team Leader for Communication and Outreach Ronda Boutz.
“We’ve had nothing but cooperation from the factory in improving water quality in the watershed,” Boutz said. “On a personal level, I’ve appreciated my dealings with St. Albert personnel and hope they resume soon.”
SNC General Manager Dennis O’Grady said he’s sure the determination and drive shown by the co-op over more than 100 years in building the factory into a respected, multi-million dollar, environmentally conscious business will cause a new facility to rise from the ashes in St. Albert.
“It’s hard to picture Eastern Ontario without the St. Albert Cheese Factory,” O’Grady noted. “With its famous curds and cheddar varieties in so many stores, its annual summer festival, the work it has been doing with the Franco-Ontarian community… it just has to come back.”
Thankful that no one was injured in the blaze, Lawrence Levere, president of the SNC board of directors, paid special tribute to the residents of St. Albert, many of whose lives are intertwined with the factory as co-op members, employees, and customers.
“It’s a tremendous loss,” Levere noted. “The factory is the heart of the village. “We wish everyone the best until they get back on their feet again.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Ronda Boutz, 877-984-2948, ext. 251.
Rboutz@nation.on.ca.