ESTEVAN — Chamney Construction has been recognized for its success in Estevan’s business community for generations.
The company was inducted into the Nick and Verna Morsky Estevan Business Hall of Fame Oct. 24 during the Estevan Business Excellence Awards at the Southeast College, in front of a large crowd of business and community leaders.
According to its bio provided at the event, Chamney Construction has been a cornerstone of southeast Saskatchewan’s development for over 50 years. Founded by Melvin Chamney, The company traces its roots to when Melvin Chamney, at the age of 15, was hired to test for gravel in southeast Saskatchewan.
“That … laid the foundation for a business that would span generations,” the bio said.
In 1984, Chamney Crushing Ltd. was officially incorporated, and in 2008, Melvin passed the business onto his son Mike and daughter-in-law Jackie, who merged their trucking company into their growing business. Now the company is led by the third generation with Mike and Jackie’s son William, their daughter Katherine Kawecki and Katherine’s husband Jordan, who continue to expand the company’s reach across Saskatchewan.
According to the bio, from aggregate reduction and oilfield hauling to landscaping, irrigation and heavy equipment yardwork, the company has evolved.
Chamney Construction was involved with the Estevan downtown revitalization project. Contributions to the community include Affinity Place, the Chamney Running Track near the Estevan Comprehensive School, Woodlawn Regional Park, Fresh Air Fitness, the outdoor sports facility at Kin Hillside Park and the CT scanner at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
“Their legacy is not just in roads they build, but in the community they help change,” the bio stated.
It also has an in-house equipment training program for staff members and has received its COR certification.
Mike and Jackie Chamney could not be in attendance due to a family commitment, but William, Katherine and Jordan were to accept the award on the family’s behalf. They thanked the rural municipalities, businesses and people of southeast Saskatchewan for their support over the years, and the EBEX committee for the recognition.
“We’d also like to thank all employees, past and present, who played a vital role in the success of the business,” said William.
He added his grandfather Melvin, who died in 2016 shortly after retiring, would be proud to see the family accepting the award.
“We hope to carry on the work he loved, started 67 years ago, and continue to grow in his legacy for many years to come,” said William.
The Morskys’ daughter Pam DeChief, who inducted Chamney Construction into the business hall, marvelled at the group of business people at the event.
“Everyone is doing amazing things. This is just a sample of the great businesses in Estevan, working together all the time,” said DeChief.
Grimes Sales and Service (2020) was also inducted on Oct. 24.
The EBEX Awards and the Business Hall of Fame are a project of the Estevan Chamber of Commerce. The celebration is held every second year during the national Small Business Week.
The Business Hall of Fame was launched in 2011, and the Morskys were among the first honourees, thanks to their success with business ventures, including the Derrick Motor Inn, for more than 60 years, and their pride in the community.
“This award is designed to recognize exceptional business pioneers and cornerstone business leaders who demonstrate excellence over a period of at least 15 years, and whose business has also contributed to the economic well-being of Estevan and the immediate area,” said DeChief.
“This year, the judges and the chamber board thought that two companies were most deserving of being inducted into the business hall of fame,” she added later.
A total of 12 businesses and individuals are now in the Estevan business hall of fame.
