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The track was once site of the popu- lar and internationally successful Shell Fuelathon. After years of attracting stu- dents'and engineers from all over the world, Shell pulled the plug on the event after 1991. According to Shervey, Ontario’s cur- rent economic woes were not a prime Shervey said the Oakville site dealt primarily with “downstream” research into oils, greases, lubricants, new addiâ€" tives and assorted chemicals. The site also featured a test track where the per- formance of engines could be analyzed. “It got to be pretty expensive,” said Shervey. Meyerstein said he contacted Shell immediately and told Shervey that he and his staff will be of assistance in any way possible. While he was told Shell has no definite numbers or occupations of those who will be let go, the company pledged to help workers “find gainful employment elsewhere.” The announcement took John Meyerstein, general manager of the Town Economic Development Office, by surprise.“0bviously we are extreme- ly sorry that this has happened. The facility has been here a long time,” he said. “No downsizing lS attractive to anyone these days. ” Morgan said the first order of busi- ness will be to assemble a transition team that will examine the precise needs of the consolidated facility. Later, it will start looking at staffing and the schedul- ing of the move “I would expect that a reasonable number from here would simply move from Oakville to Calgary,” said Morgan. “In some respects it would have been ideal to say that all the deci- sions have been made, to be able to answer all the employees’ questions. It’s premature to comment on that.” for the consolidated Calgary site, how- ever, just aren’t available. Clesingef Shell Research facility took town by surprise (Continued from page 1) Shervey said the decision to central- ize out west, as opposed to Oakville, was one of “logistics and economics.” He explained Calgary was a logical choice since that is where Shell’s head office is located and where many of the firm’s clients do business. factor in the decision but did play a pan. He said the “financial crunch” of doing business in a recession led the company to “look into a lot of things” to stream- line its operation. line its operation. Shervey said the decision to central- ize out west, as opposed to Oakville, was one of “logistics and economics.” He explained Calgary was a logical choice since that is where Shell’s head office is located and where many of the firm’s clients do business. As for when the Oakville site will be Wmflmwflmmwmflmmmfifimwmmmwm Shervey was similarly vague about the effect the closure will have on the development of the area known as the Shell Lands or whether the 30 acres on which the Research Centre now sits will be rolled into the Burloak Secondary Plan. “I have no idea is the simple answer,” said Shervey. ”This decision came only early this week. Quite frankly Shell ceased crude oil processing at its west Oakville refinery in July 1983 _ after 20 years in operation. At that time the Town lost approximately $100,000 in annual tax revenue. The impact this latest closure will have on the Town’s tax rolls was not available at press time. The sale of the old refinery land helped Shell recoup the millions it spent _-__ _,-__J AAuAuLM "no ubvv formed to collate information about pos- sible uses for the land The plan was approved in March 1991. The Burloak Plan covers the area bordered roughly by the Twelve Mile Creek in the east, the Oakville- Burlington boundary in the west, the QEW in the north and the lakeshore to the south. east ‘LZ aunr‘ ‘Kepuns ‘Puaxei closed for good, Shervey could only say sometime by the end of this year ‘That’ s about as specific as we can be,” he said Shell ceased crude oil processing at its west Oakville refinery in July 1983 after 20 years in operation. At that time the Town lost approximately $100,000 in annual tax revenue. The impact this latest closure will have on the Town’s tax rolls was not available at press time. we don’t know a lot of details. As to the impact to the site - whether it will be sold or torn down - I have no idea at this point.” decontaminating the soil to make it suit- able for residential, commercial and industrial use. In January 1989 the Burloak Study Steering Committee was formed to collate information about pos- sible uses for the land. The plan was approved in March 1991. 5 - Oakville Beaver Weekend, Sunday, June .ugua a a gag -‘ as ~3§a g§=~ 27,199 9.. o