Gibsons celebrates 60th with $200,000 to Hardisty Ag Society for Arena project

Gibons celebrated their 60th anniversary of operations in Hardisty on Thursday, June 1 by donating $200,000 to the Hardisty Agricultural Society for their Arena upgrade project. The town reciprocated by renaming the Arena to the ‘Gibson Energy Centre.’ Hundreds of people came out to enjoy a free barbeque hosted by Gibsons. Also on hand were STARS and the Gibson classic tanker truck, used as a back drop for a group photo of all Gibson employees past and present. Above from left: Hardisty Mayor Anita Miller, Gibsons President and Chief Executive Officer, Stew Hanlon, Ag Society members Penny Fleming, Deb Harrison, and Tammy Maxwell.

Gibsons Energy celebrated its 60th year in Hardisty on Thursday, marking the event with a community barbeque for hundreds that ended with a huge, $200,000 surprise contribution to the Hardisty Ag. Society.

Rick Wise, Chief Operating Officer of the company told Thursday’s crowd of over 200, “We are very excited. This year marks an important milestone; 60 years of operations at our Hardisty Facility.”

Wise then introduced Stew Hanlon, Gibsons’ President and Chief Executive Officer for the past eight years.

The Town of Hardisty presented Gibsons with crystal plaques celebrating their 60th year of doing business in Hardisty. Above: Gibsons Area Manager Kevin Hayes, Deputy Mayor Dean Lane, Gibsons President and Chief Executive Officer Stew Hanlon.

“During his tenure, the Hardisty Terminal has grown from a 1.2 million barrel capacity to today’s 9 million barrel capacity,” Wise said.

Hanlon talked about the history of the Hardisty operations for the company, saying Gibsons was the first company to build storage tanks at Hardisty. In 1957, Hanlon said a whopping 250 barrels per day travelled through Hardisty.

“Now we are looking at 700,000 barrels per day,” he said. “Gibsons touches one in every four barrels of crude produced in Canada.

“We’re providing energy, the stuff of life,” Hanlon told the crowd. “Hardisty is a tremendously important asset, in Alberta, in Canada, in North America.

“We’ve grown up with you. We started with two employees, now we have 100-plus, and many multi-generation employees.”
He spoke of the many changes that had happened in the company since he has been CEO, and added, “The real work happens out here.”

Hanlon encouraged people to look at the STARS training trailer on display at the event. “It’s phenomenal. STARS provides critical training, and do a phenomenal job, providing services and training.