REGINA, Sask. — The Global Transportation Hub in Regina got a shot in the arm this week, with Yanke Group of Companies breaking ground on a 40-acre transportation and logistics centre.

Yanke is the first trucking firm to commit to the project and also the first homegrown Saskatchewan company to build there.

Yanke CEO Russell Marcoux took part in a groundbreaking ceremony earlier this week to announce the beginning of a three-stage development in partnership with the City of Regina. The development will see Yanke and its affiliate AFI Distribution Group spend up to $20 million to establish a presence at the hub. It expects to ship 400-500 loads per week in and out of the hub.

“Our concept plan for this site involves expansion, the development of new service offerings and greater efficiencies for each of our operating entities,” Marcoux said. “The potential and the infrastructure are a great fit for our operations as the major anchor tenants of the GTH have long-standing relationships with Yanke.”

“The addition of the Yanke Group of Companies to the GTH is another major step forward for what is clearly one of the most important economic development initiatives in Saskatchewan,” added Wayne Elhard, chair of the Global Transportation Hub. “The GTH has the opportunity to be a recognized, world class template for cooperation, participation and efficient operation of multiple transportation modes and we are pleased to welcome Yanke as a partner.”

Canadian Pacific and Canadian Logistics Services have already committed to the hub, which sits on 2,000 acres.

Yanke says it will build a yard for its intermodal and over-the-road operations, while expanding AFI’s services including refrigerated warehousing and transportation. Yanke also plans to build a storage yard for containers to provide a ready, fluid supply for shippers. Additions could include a transload bulk or bagged operation to facilitate the movement of commodities from Saskatchewan as well as a refrigerated warehouse for current customers, Yanke announced.