4 minute read
Generations
BY STACIE GAETZ | PHOTO BY SERGEI BELSKI
Big Springs Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Ltd. is a local family-run business that is celebrating 40 years in Airdrie.
Big Springs provides services relating to plumbing, gas fitting, drain cleaning, water heaters, furnaces, air conditioners and back flow testing for residential and commercial buildings. Matt Gauthier, owner and operator, spent his childhood accompanying his dad Gus to work and learning the trade from as young as seven years old. Gauthier bought the business from his dad in 2009; his father retired in 2012, giving him even more on-the-job experience before the keys changed hands. “Taking over from my dad was a giant task, that was very successful,” says Gauthier, 38. “Amanda, my wife, played a huge role in the transition, along with my brother Mike.” Gauthier has been a ticketed plumber for 16 years and has been working in the trade for 21 years. Plumbing is truly a family affair as Gauthier’s three older brothers also have their plumbing and gas fitting tickets, although two of the brothers have since moved on to other careers. Gauthier has lived in Airdrie his whole life and says he is proud to have grown with the company that now has 12 employees. He adds that it is very important to him to give back to the community that helped raise him. FAMILY Big Springs Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Ltd. sponsors sports teams, donates to the Airdrie Food Bank through food drives and has raised money for notable local causes such as the Thumbs Up Foundation, Airdrie Angels, Community Links and RUN FOR the Airdrie Lioness Club. “It’s very important to support the community that supports you,” he says. He adds that they have been very fortunate throughout the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and business has remained stable. 40 YEARS “We did struggle through March and April 2020 but were able to keep all of our staff employed,” he says. “We often say how lucky we are to live in such a great community, and we are very grateful for the continued support throughout the past four decades.” life
A senior living community filled with family and friends.
SUITE AMENITIES:
● Full Kitchens ● Emergency Response System ● Pet Friendly ● Heated Underground Parkings
403-945-2222 304 1 Ave NW, Airdrie cedarwoodstation.ca
• CARPET CLEANING • • FURNACE & DUCT CLEANING • • SANITIZATION • • WINDOW CLEANING •
CALL TO BOOK TODAY! 403-984-3680
A DANG GOOD CLEAN FOR A DANG GOOD PRICE
DANGGOODCARPETANDFURNACECLEANING.COM
Residential & Commercial
Contact for a free quote. 587.224.2251 JMVINC.CA
Action through Connection: If you own a business, or are a business leader, you have a tremendous impact on the growth and wellbeing of our community. The Airdrie Chamber of Commerce recognizes that by working together and championing local business, we will build a stronger Airdrie. The Airdrie Chamber (AC) is a dynamic, professional organization that provides value to our members and is an advocate for all business. Not only do we create worthwhile connections between our members, we connect members to new clients, and business to government. The Chamber works together with our members to improve the economic, civic, and cultural wellbeing of our community.
Buy Local or Goodbye Local
Supporting local business can be done in a variety of ways, and during the Covid-19 pandemic, the best way of helping businesses that shape our community is by purchasing their products and services. We need to buy local, or the reality is that we will be saying goodbye to local businesses.
As the Airdrie Chamber continues to champion the support local movement, we look to our members and community for new ideas and campaigns. In May, the Airdrie Chamber ran a month-long social media contest asking the community to post photos of products and services they bought in our city. In return, Airdronians won great prizes purchased at local businesses!
Our Chamber also continues to host events and workshops to keep our business community connected and informed during these trying times. From our Q & A Connection with Hon. Doug Schweitzer, to our monthly virtual beer or pizza networking events, we continue to keep our events fresh and exciting even if they can’t be in person. The Airdrie Business Awards nominations opened June 1st, so we encourage our community to nominate a deserving business today by visiting airdriechamber.ab.ca. Plus, we are proud to be cohosting the Rural Women in Business Conference online June 16th with keynote speaker Dr. Jody Carrington presenting her “Leading Your Business to Greatness’ talk. Visit ruralwomeninbusiness.ca to purchase your tickets!
As always, the safety and wellbeing of our community, and the vitality and strength of our businesses are the Airdrie Chamber’s top priorities. We encourage all business, big and small to join your local chamber to benefit from our efforts and to support your business community as a whole.
