File photo of Northgate's General Manager Phil Richardson. After 30-years of service at the Northgate Shopping Centre, General Manager Phil Richardson is changing his career direction, and tendered his resignation effective March 15th.
File photo of Northgate's General Manager Phil Richardson.
After 30-years of service at the Northgate Shopping Centre, General Manager Phil Richardson is changing his career direction, and tendered his resignation effective March 15th.
In a note sent to close friends and associates Richardson commends his staff and the work that has gone into making the centre what it is today.
“As you all know, Northgate Shopping Centre has been my baby for 30 years. My team and I have worked very hard to try to ensure that we created and nurtured it to provide a top quality experience for our community in every respect. It is an exemplary regional shopping centre with a merchandise mix that contains many of the best retailers and our slogan "Five Star Shopping" sums up the service level that we expect of ourselves for our customers.
But there is much more to the story of the Centre in that we have developed as the prime gathering place for people from all walks of life...last year we were visited by over 5 Million people who came here to shop, to meet friends, to exercise, to support many charities sponsored here and to just be a part of our wonderful community. "At Northgate, You're Family" is not just a catchy phrase for us...we mean it.”
Richardson also noted that is was his great privilege to work with so many high quality people in the community to help to create the centre for North Bay, and clearly states that the decision was not an easy one to make.
“My decision was not made easily. Last year when The Hospital of Ontario Pension Plan purchased Northgate from the group which owned it since 1984, I knew that there would be considerable effort needed to ensure that a smooth transition was made...and I committed then and there to see it through to a successful conclusion.”
Richardson also contends that a number of other issues had to be met before he could entertain leaving Northgate and moving on.
“Firstly, I needed to know that our staff, the 35 people who have worked so proudly beside me, some for over twenty five years, were going to be fine. Morguard Investments Limited, the Asset Manager appointed by the new owners proved to be the high quality organization that they were billed as, and they have treated everyone with respect and dignity. They provided salary increases, a generous benefit package and a caring work environment that has been very well received by all involved.’
Secondly, I wanted to ensure that our tenants would be able to make the adjustment to the new methods of operation and this too, has been accomplished in the same quality manner, with new and exciting retailers set to join us because of Morguard's fine reputation in the Industry.
And last but far from least, I needed to know that our community would continue to be served by Northgate in the same caring manner that it has come to expect from us ... that is truly heartfelt. Morguard has demonstrated that they will continue this tradition through their support for such programs as Habitat for Humanity, Stepping Stones Business Incubator and our Canadian Military Kiosk to name only a few ... I am confident that Northgate will continue to be the good citizen that it has always been.”
With four years remaining on his contract with Morguard, Richardson told BayToday.ca that he wasn't trying to make a big deal of his career decision.
“I've tied a bow on the transition of ownership and although I had four years remaining on my contract, I decided that I want to spend my time developing new projects of the size and quality of Northgate,” he explains.
“So, I'll remain in North Bay for the time being, but will be developing projects elsewhere such as in Phoenix where I've been working for some time now.”
In conclusion to his note Richardson thanked the many people who are truly responsible for the shopping centre’s success as well as the community for supporting the efforts they put forth building the centre over the years.
“The opportunity to serve them has been truly humbling and my family and I are so grateful for the opportunity to do so. My family and I will continue to be active in the life of our community, just through different means. I want to especially remember the guidance of my parents Ben and Nancy Richardson, who so positively influenced me in my efforts to be helpful.
God Bless You All and Thank You Phil Richardson & Family”
Richardson contends that he will stay involved with the North Bay community especially the projects that are near and dear to his heart including Habitat for Humanity, Stepping Stones and the Military information kiosk program.
