Larochelle officially retiring to pursue other interests

“It has been a couple of years of just having a hard time making up my mind!” says 52 year old Allan Larochelle, owner and originator of the Source For Sports retail location in Swift Current. But on March 3, he announced officially that he will retire from the sporting goods business for good this spring … having developed a burning desire to pursue other business interests.

“It is my full intention to remain here in Swift Current though,” Larochelle said. “My family life is here. Most of my life has been spent here, and it is here that I wish to remain.”

Larochelle moved to Swift Current back in 1974 from nearby Ponteix. It was in Swift Current that he managed to develop the Canadian boys’ hockey dream, as after four years of Junior Hockey he was drafted to Boston in 1983. That hockey success was to last only a short time, as a tragic automobile accident only 18 months later left him with a broken back and a long road to recovery.

And while he made a full recovery, he was unable to play hockey so that prompted him to pursue a business opportunity here in Swift Current.

Seventeen years ago he opened his first retail sporting goods store – as his love of sports is first and foremost in his life. That endeavour had a similar success path, and he eventually found himself at the head of an 8,400 square foot sporting goods centre, housed in a brand new store on Battleford Trail East.

After reviewing his situation with head offices for Source for Sports stores in Canada … the decision was made to liquidate the entire $1.5 million sporting goods inventory now at the Swift Current location before offering that location to future Source For Sports potential dealers for the Swift Current location. An immediate stock disposal has been ordered, and a full blown wall to wall clearance will commence today at 11 a.m.

Larochelle extends his heartfelt thanks to Swift Current and area residents for their long time support.

“It has been a real thrill for me to part of this community and involved in sports development in this area. I have especially enjoyed working with the kids and making sports as attainable as possible for every kid in this fine community.”

He intends to remain committed to sports safety and development in Swift Current.

“It is the team spirit of sport that makes any community a good and safe place for children to grow.”