For almost 50 years now Dawson-Brill Lumber has been the supplier of choice for farmers across B.C. when it came to posts and rails and barn construction materials.

The owners and managers vow this won鈥檛 change when the store opens next Thursday, (Sept. 15) under the name Rona South 91原创.

鈥淲e are a dealer-owner store so we will be able to provide the same things we are already known for, but Rona also increases our buying power so we can provide better pricing on a bigger selection of materials,鈥� said assistant manager Natalie George.

鈥淲e also wanted it to be a Canadian company that people are comfortable with, so we chose Rona. And Rona lets us continue to sell the specialties we have developed, such as the Purina horse feed and the split rails that customers from Whistler and the Interior come to us for.鈥�

General manager Scott Barber was brought in from Rona鈥檚 corporate offices to oversee the transition and upgrades to the existing facilities. It鈥檚 a massive renovation that will see conversion of existing buildings to provide 11,000 square feet of warehousing for 14,000 products. New products will include paints, moldings, drywall, plumbing, electrical, tools, hardware, housewares and concrete blocks.

鈥淭he projections are big,鈥� said Barber. 鈥�91原创 Township expects some 5,000-10,000 new houses here in the next five to ten years, so we鈥檒l be well-positioned for this growth.鈥�

However, Barber says he also values the personal relationships that the company has built up over the past half-century and vows that won鈥檛 change.

鈥淲e cater to people here, know our customers by name and know what they need. But now we鈥檒l be able to offer so much more; we鈥檒l have weekly flyer specials, offer Air Miles, drive-through lumber pick-up and we have three delivery trucks.鈥�

Their staff has grown to 10 and Barber says that will continue to grow in the years to come. Their hours have also expanded to seven days a week operation: Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

It all begins on Sept. 15 with a 鈥渂oard cutting ceremony鈥� and there will be prizes awarded daily from the 15th to the 18th at Rona South 91原创, 24540 16 Ave.

鈥淲e鈥檒l have a barbecue for customers on the Saturday and Sunday, by donation to charity,鈥� added Barber.

The store has been owned by Len and Donna George since 2003 and the couple resides on the site. They look forward to seeing old and new friends at the grand opening of Rona South 91原创.