The recent announcement Enbridge has purchased a former Costco property in London has raised concerns the company is pulling its offices out of Chatham.
However, the messaging from Enbridge officials is London-centric at this time.
“Our focus is on planning for our recently acquired London facility, which will serve as a long‑term home for our London‑based teams,” Enbridge officials said in an email statement. “The existing London office required updates in both space and condition, and this purchase represents an exciting investment in a modern facility that better supports our employees and day‑to‑day operations.”
Enbridge paid $25.5 million to purchase the property at 4313 Wellington Rd. just off Highway 401 in London. Costco has moved into a larger facility on Wonderland Road.
This has led to speculation in Chatham-Kent that Enbridge is going to close its Keil Drive office in Chatham.
None of that has been substantiated. However, it has not been denied either.
Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff said he knows nothing more than what Enbridge CEO Greg Ebel said to him back in October.
“He said they will always maintain a significant presence in Chatham-Kent,” Canniff said. “When he (Ebel) said it, he meant it.”
In October, rumours initially surfaced that Enbridge was leaving Chatham after the company announced restructuring plans across its operations. At that time, Enbridge officials were also quite vague in their comments.
“As part of our regular review of facilities and real estate strategy, we are exploring options to better support our team and evolving operational needs. However, no final decisions have been made, and no changes are expected in the near term,” the company said in a media release to local media.
But Canniff admitted the term “significant presence” can mean a great deal.
“That’s what he (Ebel) told me. I was repeating what he told me,” Canniff told The Voice. “But I can’t go out and say what they are doing with their building. I can’t say what will happen in 10 years.”
But Canniff did say the municipality can work to keep Enbridge and other companies located here.
“As a municipality, we need to maintain a very positive business environment that will attract and retain business in Chatham-Kent,” he said. “We just need to continue doing that.”
Whatever is to take place on Wellington Street in London won’t happen tomorrow.
“Over the next several years, work will be focused on planning, design and renovations, before we can welcome our London-based employees into this new office,” company officials said.
