"When we crested the hill at 99 Mile, my wife and I both felt a sense of coming home," says Leon Chretien, new dealer principal of Sunrise Ford Sales Ltd.
After doing some research, Chretien, his wife, Amaranta, and children Darlyssa, 8, and Ashton, 5, visited 100 Mile House and the dealership last September.
"It's a beautiful area and a great place to raise our children."
Moving from Meadowlake, in northwest Saskatchewan, isn't too much of a change in weather or recreational activities, he says, and with the new house they just moved into, he gets a better view overlooking the town and seeing the mountains in the background.
The family is eager to settle in and get involved with the community. Darlyssa is in Grade 2 in 100 Mile House Elementary School’s French immersion program, and Ashton will start kindergarten there next fall.
My wife, Amaranta, is originally from Mexico, so the children are multilingual, he says, adding she speaks Spanish to the children at home.
Coming from a background in management, Chretien says he is looking forward to owning a dealership, and foresees positive growth for 100 Mile House and area. He adds the local business owners who have invested in their companies by expanding must believe in the growth, too.
Since moving here a few weeks ago, Chretien says he has met quite a few young couples who are moving to the area to take advantage the lifestyle and raise their families.
Chretien has some plans for the dealership. This year, they will freshen it up with paint, but next year there are major renovations planned.
"The new building will have a two-storey glass front. We are planning on spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on the renovation.
"We are here to stay; we believe in this community."