The western spirit was alive, and well in Carseland this week as the local business ORICA invited the whole town to help celebrate Stampede.  Flap-jacks and bacon smell filled the air along with laughter, and merriment as people enjoyed a meal, and got to get in touch with the local town's people who share the area.  Although most of the workers come from Calgary and Strathmore, some of the workers live in Carseland, which is just down the road for an easy commute.  Being able to show off your family was a big deal for many of the workers in attendance.   

Brad Christensen, Senior Operator at ORICA talked about the atmosphere and what they hope to bring to the community, "Every year we try and invite the community to build awareness and community.  We bring them in and put some bouncy castles, and try to have a good time right around Stampede time."

With many companies feeling the pinch of lower oil prices in Alberta, some Stampede parties have been scaled down, or canceled.  ORICA seem to be market resistant, and hope for a busy winter season.  Christensen talked about their future projects, "It should be pretty busy, we have big shut down coming up, where we will be doing some major projects.  A greenhouse gas abatement project, where we will reduce a large amount of GHG that we emit.  That is one of our major projects coming up, and we are looking forward to doing that."