High Prairie Forest Products moved into its new office building north of the railway tracks with access from Highway 2. It’s now far more accessible to visit the office.

Richard Froese
South Peace News

High Prairie Forest Products has moved into its new office building with modern efficiencies.

“The office is a well-positioned staging area,” says Lee Barton, general manager of HPFP, a division of West Fraser Mills Ltd., which purchased Buchanan Lumber in April 2014.

“The parking lot and the pedestrian walkways are the most exciting part of the new progress.”

Located north of the railway tracks across from the current office, the new building is directly accessible from Highway 2 and more convenient for visitors and employees.

“The office and its location will serve well for the long-term sustaina- bility of the site for lumber storage and employee safety,” Barton says.

Replacing the old building constructed in 1981, the new office complex encompasses two storeys 1,250 square feet each.

Since settling in during the final week of July, staff finds the building very comfortable.

“It’s a very positive and brighter environment,” Barton says.
“It’s more organized, and staff can better communicate and be more productive.”

Telephone and computer systems in the entire operation were also updated with high-speed service.

A large boardroom upstairs, and a smaller conference room and kitchen downstairs are the key features of the facility, Barton says.

An open house to invite the community will be planned for October sometime, he adds.

In the coming weeks, the old building will be demolished and the old parking lot will be converted to expand the lumber storage.

Each office has an exterior and interior window to make it inviting and bright.

Inside the lobby, left-right, are yard supervisor Lee Sawchyn, operations superintendent Norbert Robichaud, general manager Lee Barton, woodlands manager Tim Burns and controller Cori Fulton.

The pedestrian pathway at the rear of the office leads to the site.