What future for the Gaz Propane Rainville facilities in Granby?

The issue of relocating the Gaz Propane Rainville facilities, located in the heart of downtown Granby (rue Saint-Charles Sud), has been on the table for years. In 2017, a vast project to consolidate gas infrastructure and equipment, which also includes a rail transshipment terminal, seemed on the way to resolving the impasse. However, the project is stalling.

The security aspect is the cornerstone of the initiative planned in Brigham, the overall budget of which was estimated seven years ago at between 15 and 20 million dollars. In particular, it was planned to move propane-related infrastructure (Brigham Terminal, Propane Rainville and Rapid Gaz) more than 500 meters from residences and the road.

Bourque Métal, a company located very close to the site in Brigham, supervised the project until very recently. The president of the company specializing in metal recycling, Ghislain Bourque, takes stock.

“On ne lead more the project. It’s been too long. Government authorities do not seem to have learned any lessons from what happened in Lac-Mégantic. On the other hand, I did not close the discussions with the new group. According to my information, Sonic is open [à la relocalisation des opérations et infrastructures de Granby vers Brigham]. We have to meet them before the holidays to find out if they want to take the lead with the project,” said the businessman in an interview.

“I think that for Sonic, there is no option to stay in Granby. It’s a question of public safety,” added Ghislain Bourque.

Administrative center

Filgo-Sonic gave us very little information regarding the purchase of Gaz Propane Rainville, as well as its ins and outs. “The Rainville family wanted to sell off the Gaz Propane Rainville business in order to devote more time to families, friends and the community. […] The acquisition is recent and positive. Unfortunately, Filgo cannot comment on projects, discussions between third parties or transactions that took place before the date of the acquisition,” mentioned Mélanie Côté, of the communications department at Filgo-Sonic, by email.

For her part, the vice-president of operations at Gaz Propane Rainville, Mélissa Gemme, briefly commented, also by email. The sale of the company “is a thoughtful family decision. The partnership with Filgo is the most appropriate for the continuation of operations since Filgo and Gaz Propane Rainville maintain good relations. […] The name of the company remains Gaz Propane Rainville, trucks bearing the Rainville image continue to circulate and jobs are preserved.”

In 2022, Gaz Propane Rainville purchased land at the corner of Principale and St-Jude Nord streets, in Granby, with the aim of consolidating its administrative services there. Is the project still in effect? The new owner of the company did not want to comment on this subject.