25-04-2025
- Automotive
- Winnipeg Free Press
West Coast Auto & Leisure vehicle sales site shuttered
A company that once proclaimed itself Manitoba's fastest growing RV retailer — and recently expanded its footprint — has gone dark.
West Coast Auto & Leisure's lot was empty Thursday. Typically, used cars and RVs cover 2585 McGillivray Blvd., an acreage at Winnipeg's southwest edge.
The roughly 15,000-square-foot building on site, which West Coast opened three years ago, revealed no signs of activity. Candy canes were still painted on a window.
Leadership at West Coast Auto didn't respond to interview requests by print deadline. The dealer's Google status reads 'permanently closed.'
Meantime, West Coast's sister company in Saskatchewan has entered receivership.
Moose Jaw Auto & Leisure owed the Royal Bank of Canada approximately $1.5 million as of July 15, 2024, per documents filed in Saskatchewan's Court of King's Bench. BDO Canada seized control of the business last August.
The Saskatchewan operation had roughly $38,864 in its accounts receivable on July 31, 2024, a BDO report reads. It highlights $9,352 being owed from West Coast Motor Sales & Leasing Corp. (connected to West Coast Auto) and RVana Leisure Group.
'(These are) two (2) related companies that are no longer operating and have no ability to pay,' outlines the BDO report, which is dated Feb. 28.
Vehicles have been off West Coast Auto's lot for at least two months, according to an estimate from a nearby garden centre employee. The change took her by surprise, she said.
Just four years ago, construction crews were erecting the new building. Panoramic views and a photo booth with room to showcase vehicles were in the designs, a Contempora Steel Builders online post reads.
'2021 will be an exciting year for West Coast,' then-general manager Zane Puhach said in a video on West Coast Auto's YouTube channel.
He cited new staff, RV product lines and the upcoming building.
The dealership had been around for more than two decades. It was previously called West Coast Auto & RV, and it operated in a converted house.
In 2022, West Coast was a Winnipeg Blue Bombers sponsorship partner. Puhach, in another video, highlighted gameday giveaways and a tailgating experience.
The Bombers declined to comment Thursday, noting the partnership ended a couple years ago.
West Coast Auto & Leisure was a 'long-standing member' of the Manitoba Used Car Dealers Association until 2021. It had new management, said association executive director Kim Magnusson. The organization declined further comment.
Capital Commercial Real Estate advertises 2585 McGillivray Blvd. for sale or lease. The two-storey building is listed for $6.25 million and $26 per square foot.
West Coast sold Glacier Ice House ice fishing trailers and Zinger RVs, among other brands. It still brands itself 'Manitoba's Fastest Growing RV Retailer' on its Instagram profile.
Gabrielle PichéReporter
Gabrielle Piché reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle.
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