More than just a carpet

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/9/2017 (360 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When it comes to doing good deeds for the local school community, Gord Kostick and Curtis Rossow have their bases covered.

The metaphorical bases, in this case, are the classroom floors that are now adorned with nearly 70 area carpets the pair donated to many schools in the Louis Riel School Division recently.

Kostick, who lives in River Park South, and Rossow, who lives in Whyte Ridge, are the co-owners and co-managers of River Park Flooring, located at 1669 St. Mary’s Rd., which is currently celebrating 10 years in business.

Kostick told The Lance the entrepreneurs recently had the opportunity to buy some children’s print carpet from one of their main suppliers.

"For us, this was the perfect opportunity to have a positive impact in our own unique way," Kostick said.

"We’re always hearing about how finances within schools are tight, so we thought it was a great idea to help out where we could. By cutting down the larger rolls of carpet to more manageable sizes and binding the edges to prevent fraying, this gives the item a bit of versatility in the classroom."

In the short time the area carpets have been in service, Kostick said they have already been touched by the positive feedback they have received.

"We were told about a child with special needs who has some challenges in the classroom, and the carpet has totally changed the atmosphere for him. Apparently, now he totally wants to come to school."

"We’re only on this Earth for a short time, and the legacy we leave behind is important. Curtis always says we don’t sell floor covering, we sell happiness."

Rossow said it’s important to be able help out in the community, not least because of the loyal support the business has received as it has grown in the community.

"Everyone has the opportunity to give back to the community, and this is one way we can do that. When you hear about how this has affected the kids, this makes us feel good and feel proud," Rossow said.

And this isn’t the first time the business has left its footprints in the community. In previous years, Kostick and Rossow donated small carpets to Dakota Community Centre and Southdale Community Centre for visitors to sit on in the cold rink to help keep them warm, as well as sponsoring different hockey and ringette teams.

When taking stock of a decade of being in business, Rossow said the time has gone quickly.

"It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years. It’s flown by. When we started, our kids were young, and now they’re in university," he said.

The pair said the established business — which deals with numerous types of floor coverings including carpet, sheet vinyl, hardwood, laminates, luxury vinyl planks and tiles, and ceramic tiles — garners a lot of word of mouth business, as well as having many repeat and referral customers. Most of the company’s business comes from existing home renovations rather than new home builds.

Kostick said building and maintaining relationships with clients is at the heart of the company’s philosophy.

"It’s about taking time with people. The customer relationship is huge, and unfortunately you don’t see this as much anymore. We want to make sure people are happy from now until the next 10 or 20 years," he said.

On Sept. 20, some of the kids from Dr. D. W. Penner School came by to visit Kostick and Rossow to thank them in person and drop off some thank-you cards.

Ross Cathers, the principal at Samuel Burland School, another local school to benefit, said the gesture was a "very nice present" to the school.

"It’s certainly a top-notch act," Cathers said.

"I met Curtis for the first time the other day, and Gord’s kids went to Samuel Burland, so there’s a connection there. They very easily could have sold the carpets and made hundreds of dollars, but they dipped into their own pockets to do this. It’s an outstanding gesture on their behalf."

Go online at riverparkflooring.ca or call 204-253-7772 for more information.

simon.fuller@canstarnews.com