Westminster Mutual Insurance celebrated the grand opening of its newly expanded office in the heart of the village in November.
The expansion, located at 14122 Belmont Road, was prompted by the firm’s growing needs, as explained by Westminster president Christine Van Daele in an interview with Aylmer Express. “We had to find a seat for everyone to sit at,” Van Daele said, referring to the company’s growth. “We needed a larger board-slash-training room. Our old boardroom … it could not accommodate our directors, plus our management team.”
The company, which now employs 18 people, faced challenges with its previous office setup, where only 15 desks were available. As a result, three employees had to work at meeting tables, and board meetings were moved to the basement. With the new expansion, Westminster is now able to accommodate 24 people in a larger workspace and has added seven additional workstations in the basement.
The construction project began in early 2024, with the exterior shell of the addition completed by May. Interior renovations and construction continued through November. “We now have a large, tech-ready meeting area for board meetings and training days,” Van Daele said, adding that the company now has room for future growth.
The expansion reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to the community, a news release highlighted. “We’re proud to invest in our community, as this is what mutual insurance is all about. We’re all about the community,” Van Daele noted.
Founded in 1857 by a group of farmers in the Township of Westminster, the company originally aimed to insure one another against fire risks. “Our early days have seen us operating from kitchen tables and local taverns, and we were serving our policy holders with the same dedication that drives us today,” said Westminster director and board chair Fiona Wynn. She added that the company did not find a permanent home until the 1950s, when it settled at its current Belmont location.
“Today as we stand on this expanded property and reflect on the journey of 167 years, we look forward to many more servicing our community of policyholders, working with our partners in mutualism,” said Wynn.
Central Elgin Cr. Dave Baughman congratulated Westminster on its expansion, praising the facility’s design and the company’s strong ties to the community. “Westminster has always been a huge supporter of community activities,” said Baughman. “Westminster Mutual has a definite footprint in everything that this town does, and we are so grateful to have them as part of our community.”
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