In late September, the Coastal GasLink team came together with workers, partners, Indigenous and local community leadership 鈥� and a local, Indigenous-owned catering business 鈥� to celebrate the completion of the Wilde Lake Compressor Station.
As Jessica Quintal reflects on the journey that led her to cater Coastal GasLink鈥檚 event, she laughs: 鈥淚t was go big or go home! I was seven months pregnant, quit my full-time job, and we鈥檝e been going strong for three and half years. It was a lot of trial and error, but look at us now.鈥�
Jessica and her grandmother own Mary Jane鈥檚 Kitchen and Catering, an Indigenous-owned, family-run business located in Fort St. John. Their team served up a delicious meal of chicken and ribs to more than 200 people gathered to of Coastal GasLink鈥檚 Wilde Lake Compressor Station, near Dawson Creek.
鈥淚 was really happy when Coastal GasLink reached out to me,鈥� said Jessica. 鈥淲e have done big events before, but it was really exciting to work with (them) on this milestone.鈥�
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It was an equally momentous occasion for the Coastal GasLink Team, who proudly celebrated the safe completion of the largest greenfield natural gas compressor station that has ever been built by TC Energy in a single phase.
Affectionately referred to as the beating heart of the Project, the success of the Wilde Lake facility was the result of a team of 500 dedicated women and men. This team included Jessica鈥檚 cousin Teneshia from nearby Blueberry River First Nation, a whose role included sharing her culture and traditions with the workforce, and ensuring a respectful and safe environment at Wilde Lake.
As all those gathered enjoyed the delicious meal prepared by Jessica and her team, Coastal GasLink鈥檚 President, Bevin Wirzba, expressed his gratitude to all those who had a hand in the milestone. 鈥淲e are reminded that while the Wilde Lake facility will serve as the beating heart of the natural gas infrastructure, it is the relationships we hold with our Indigenous and local communities that are the beating heart of our legacy.鈥�
鈥淲hile we鈥檙e nearing completion at Wilde Lake,鈥� Wirzba noted, 鈥渋t is just the beginning of more opportunity. Looking forward, our team will continue to have a lasting presence here in the region, providing local employment and benefits for decades to come.鈥�
And Jessica and her family are looking forward to the future. 鈥淭here are a lot of benefits that are coming in from this project鈥 lot of doors opening for people, like me. It鈥檚 good to be a part of it,鈥� says Jessica.
As Coastal GasLink approaches 75 per cent overall completion, the team looks forward to celebrating more milestones with their Indigenous and community partners. Learn more about upcoming milestones at .