BONNYVILLE – The Town of Bonnyville is getting a meat processing plant.
During town council’s June 9 meeting, council approved a development permit from Hamel’s Meat Market to open a facility at 6002 50 Ave.
As the area is in a highway commercial zone, the topic was brought to council for discussion to ensure it fits with the other businesses on the block.
“I think it’s a great idea, and it’s something that I never would have thought for that area,” said Coun. Elisa Brosseau.
According to safety codes manager Joe Kopala, the only concerns brought up by adjacent landowners were whether or not there would be a kill floor incorporated into the facility and that the garbage would be maintained. The facility would be located beside Fountain Tire.
“There’s going to be no live animals there,” Kopala stated. “They’re all going to come as carcasses where they could process it. Basically, the gentleman that bought Hamel’s Meats wants to create this so he can supply his stores.”
A concern for Mayor Gene Sobolewski was ensuring the sewer lines don’t get clogged up and waste is handled correctly at the meat processing plant.
“They’re processing carcasses and are they going to do any smoking and things like that? Or is it going to be supplementary to what they do with the existing store?” he wondered. “Is this going to be basically a storage facility when they’re processing? Especially with the processing of carcasses, they’re not going to do rendering and things like that?”
Kopala responded, “They’re probably going to dispose of it like they do from Hamel’s right now.”
Coun. Rene Van Brabant noted that could become a problem in the future “because if they’re going to be processing animals, it’s going to be a lot more waste than what Hamel’s does.”
The back portion of the building will likely go unused as there’s no need for outside storage, and there are plans to include a small area in the front to deal with customers.
“He’s going to have a small portion of retail at the front. He’s hoping more if somebody wants to bring their animals in to get dressed or taken care of there, that’s why he would be doing retail in the front.”
The meat processing plant must comply with the province’s ministerial orders regarding businesses during the coronavirus pandemic before opening, and a floor plan and fire safety plan still need to be provided to the town before they’re allowed to open.
The Nouvelle reached out to Hamel's Meat Market for a comment, but didn't receive a response before press deadline.
