Eckart’s Welding gets five-year sea can approval

Posted on September 8, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

Maple Creek News

The new owner of Eckart’s Welding on Harder Street can now get more space for storage as he expands his business.

Trevor Brost’s application for a temporary shipping container (C-Can) has been approved.

At its August 27 meeting, Maple Creek Town Council gave approval for five years.

In his application to Council, Brost said he was proud to continue operating a business that has been an important part of the Maple Creek community since the mid-1940s.

“As a young business owner, I chose to invest in Maple Creek by purchasing and continuing the operation of a business that has served this community for more than 80 years. I have invested significantly in preserving this local business, and I am committed to ensuring it continues to serve future generations. At this stage, I do not yet have the financial resources to construct a permanent storage building while also maintaining and growing the business.

“Since taking ownership, we have expanded our inventory to further serve Maple Creek and the surrounding rural communities. Many of our customers are local farmers, ranchers, businesses, and residents who rely on us to keep their operations running efficiently.

“During seeding and harvest in particular, timely access to parts and materials is critical. Equipment downtime can quickly delay work during these busy seasons, making it essential that repairs are completed as quickly as possible.”

Without adequate storage, said Brost, many parts and materials must be ordered as needed, which can take days or even weeks to arrive.

“This can delay repairs and impact our customers’ ability to continue their work when time is of the essence. Having sufficient storage would allow us to keep commonly required inventory on hand, provide faster service, reduce costly downtime for our customers, and better support the agricultural community that plays such an important role in Maple Creek’s economy. By keeping inventory available locally, we can provide within the community, rather than farmers, businesses, and residents having to source materials outside the community.”

Brost said the requested shipping container would provide secure, temporary storage while he worked towards the long-term goal of constructing a permanent storage building.

“I fully understand that any approval granted by Council would be temporary. I am willing to enter a Letter of Understanding with the town, agree to any reasonable conditions Council considers appropriate, and comply with a defined approval period or renewal process. My intention is to replace the shipping container with a permanent storage solution as soon as the business is financially able to do so.”

Brost said he appreciated Council’s responsibility to preserve the character of the Heritage District.

“My intention is to work with Council to find a temporary solution that supports both the continued success of a long- standing local business, and the objectives of the Heritage District.”

Brost said Council considered a similar request from St. Mary’s Anglican Church during its July 22 meeting.

“Throughout that discussion, members of Council recognized that the bylaw allows discretion for temporary approvals and acknowledged the financial challenges associated with constructing permanent storage immediately following a significant investment. Council also discussed the importance of allowing time to obtain the necessary funding before requiring a permanent structure. I respectfully ask Council to extend that same consideration to Eckart’s Welding.

“Like St. Mary’s Anglican Church, I have recently made a significant investment which will preserve an important part of Maple Creek’s history. I am not asking Council to exempt Eckart’s Welding from the bylaw; rather, I am respectfully requesting that Council exercise the same discretion available under the temporary use provisions that it has previously recognized. I believe this request is consistent with both the intent of the bylaw and Council’s previous consideration of temporary approvals.”

Brost said Eckart’s Welding has been a trusted part of Maple Creek for more than 85 years.

“It has proudly served generations of farmers, ranchers, businesses, and residents, helping keep local operations running and contributing to the community’s success. My goal is to preserve that legacy, continue investing in the business, and ensure it remains a dependable resource for Maple Creek and the surrounding area for many years to come.”

Councillor Tina Cresswell said: “I am really impressed by the letter, by the diligence and the language, and by his ability to express his needs without being overly worked up about it.”

Councillor Mike Stork backed Brost’s application, although he took issue with the Anglican Church comparison.

“I will start off by saying a historical church that anchors our heritage district is not the same as a machine shop.

“Having said that, I don’t think that Eckart’s or any other people on that section of that block should be tied to the heritage district rules.

“I don’t think those buildings in that area from the old board store up to the new bake shop fit the description of what our heritage district is.

“I support his request, but not because of a precedent that was set with the Anglican Church.”

Councillor Cresswell sought confirmation that Eckart’s Welding’s zoning had a grandfathered industrial or light industrial status.

“That is a commercial district and if this business changes modus operandi it will lose that grandfathered status, right?”

“Yes,” said Michelle McKenzie, the mayor.

Councillor Betty Abbott asked what type of storage building Brost planned to put up. How big will it need to be?

Barry Elliott, the Town’s chief administrative officer said: “I don’t recall him sharing dimensions with me, but it did sound like a form of structure, but our conversation focused on the sea can and whether that was going to be permanent or not. I see in his request he has converted that to a temporary use, although … I didn’t find a timeframe on the temporary element.”

McKenzie said she appreciated Brost’s letter.

Council approved a temporary shipping container, with a five-year restriction