As he travels west down Hwy. 9, in central Alberta, he finds his mind distracted from the road as he trails off to the past and recollects all the sweat poured into the 2×4’s that now shelter hundreds of families in the area.
“We built that house on the left and that one over there on the right – and that one just up the road,” says Bill Rees, owner of Big Country Construction, with a grin at a passenger. “Heck, we built almost all of these houses. We helped build Hanna.”
“With having over 85 different employees over the years, we have been fortunate enough to be a big part of many people’s live.”
Endless communities throughout this province have been built and depend upon these carpenters.
In this case, Hanna cannot begin to thank these people who have put in the extra effort that goes unnoticed.
Rees has been involved in building houses for nearly 40 years. Having only started with only a rundown car, no money and just the clothes on his back at 15, he has now built homes as far as Japan and been one of the main journeyman contractors in central Alberta.
After a quick stint of working in the stockyards in Calgary, he started working in construction for various commercial companies in Calgary and up north near Fort McMurray.
Tired of freezing his hands year after year, a dream came from out of the cold when the 28 year old erected a 100’ long by 20’ high shop on the east end of Hanna.
The building was designed to not only stock building materials, but innovated to where it is now a local landmark on Pioneer Trail that was the first to have a mobile home built inside a building in Canada.
Now on a Friday evening, as another week has gone by, the 58-year-old owner/manager of Big Country Construction enjoys a well-earned beer as nearly every staff member gets together in a group.
Work boots are loosened and the cooler is topped off with ice. Everyone has their favourite chair, but one is always reserved for Rees.
After 44 hours of working together, you would think the race would be to the door once the time cards are filled. Instead, everyone kicks back and enjoys another countless day of a job well-done. Sometimes for only 20 minutes. Other instances the guys shoot the breeze until the clock is killed.
Dodging phone calls from wives and girlfriends, they drag on another 20 minutes just for a chance of hearing one more story.
The majority of these tales naturally come from the ones with the most experiences. Some stories make you laugh, some bring tears.
As there is a break in the conversation, Rees leans forward and his eyes lighten.
Ears open as the rest know another story is on the horizon.
“That reminds me of the first time Jack (Hertreiter) walked into the shop. My first impressions were this guy needs a haircut. I went against my instincts and gave him a shot anyway that day and told him we’ll see what happens. We didn’t really need the help, but he seemed like a kid who could use the cash.
“My impressions quickly changed and my decision was made. The first time I heard him swing that old hammer I lent him, I thought to myself, he could stick around for awhile,” says Rees.
Sitting next to Rees, Hertreiter, now foreman at Big Country, begins to smile proudly.
“It seems like it was yesterday when I first walked into Big Country Construction,” he adds.
“The building was huge. I was just in town for the weekend visiting family, and thought I would check to see if this business was looking for help. I didn’t think Bill was going to hire me, but he handed me that old pouch and worn-out hammer and said, ‘Let’s see what you’ve got.’
“After I worked there for half a day, Bill said I could keep showing up. I went back to the coast to move quickly to Hanna and start my new job. I gained not only a career, but a family. That was 27 years ago.”