D2 Saturday, March 27, 2021 — THE MEDICINE HAT NEWS


1097 Trans Canada Way SE 403.527.7727 creativefloorcoverings.ca


‘F’ is for flooring and ‘F’ is for family and the gang at Creative Floor Coverings of Medicine Hat have few equals in both those categories. But in the Flooring Store category in this year’s ‘Best of Medicine Hat’ voting, voters gave the flooring firm another ‘A’ — maybe even A-plus — making it a winner for the eighth straight year.


A third-generation family operation, Creative Floor Coverings has been serving the local area for the past 30 years, but will be forging ahead without the guidance of the patriarchal foundation of the business, Wayne McNamara, who passed away Feb. 16 at the age of 86.


Kevin McNamara, co-owner (with nephew Dean McNamara) of the Medicine Hat store on Trans- Canada Way, believes the business’s great local service and family-oriented approach are the reasons for the voters’ support. “We have roots in the community,” said Kevin. “We’ve been here for 30 years and in Lethbridge for 40 years.”


Kevin’s dad Wayne started in the flooring business in the late 1960s in Regina as a salesman for Craklin Carpets before moving to Lethbridge in 1969. His expertise in all facets of the industry enabled him to pass on his knowledge and tricks of the trade to all four of his sons — Kevin, Jerry, Trevor and Mickey. “When we (his sons) got involved, he gave us great direction,” said Kevin, who started learning the art of flooring installation when he was 14. “He trained us all,” said Kevin. Not surprisingly, all four boys became immersed in the industry.


Creative Floor Coverings was established in 1992 by Jerry McNamara and Gary Kavanaugh, with Wayne providing expertise and guidance through the early years. With the Medicine Hat operation on a firm footing, Wayne retired after six years and moved back to Lethbridge (where Trevor and Mickey currently run Flooring Superstore). Customers felt very comfortable dealing with Wayne, said Kevin, who was exclusively an installer in the early days of Creative’s existence. “It was his personality. A very easy-going guy. Real easy to talk with. He made us proud.”


“We’ve had so many people say he was the reason they chose us. He just had a good heart, a good soul. I know he was so proud of his legacy (of so many family members becoming stalwarts in the floor covering industry).


Shortly after Wayne died, Kevin received an email from longtime customers Clarence and Carol Barton, who expressed their sympathies and said: “Sorry to read of the loss of your family leader Wayne. Wayne estimated all of our houses. What a pleasure (it was) to deal with Wayne. Last house he did for us (23 years ago) is the one we are still in. The carpet he recommended … he said you will never wear it out. You will be tired of the colour before that. Of course he was right. He even recommended a guy named Kevin to install. Who knew? Great guy, good memories.”


Wayne loved everything about the industry, said Kevin. He got special enjoyment out of participating in the annual flooring industry golf tournament, which attracted suppliers, salespeople and others in the floor covering business for a day of fun and frolic, trading laughs, golf shots and industry tips. “He never missed those tournaments,” said Kevin. “He loved reconnecting with everyone.”


Creative Floor Coverings has nurtured great relationships with local builders, so the firm keeps busy as housing continues to expand in the Gas City. Residential and commercial work keeps them hopping and Best of Medicine Hat voters obviously agree that they continue to do it right.


The firm employs seven full-time staff and uses 15 sub-contractors who assist with installations. Meanwhile, the McNamara family continues to expand, and continues to be the leading floor


experts in southeastern Alberta. From Wayne and wife Jean’s four sons came a number of grandchildren, four of whom — Dean, Spencer, Kyle and Nick — work full-time in the industry. Jerry, Kevin, Dean and Spencer are at the Creative Store in Medicine Hat while Trevor, Mickey, Kyle and Nick are at Flooring Superstore Lethbridge.


And Wayne is looking down, nodding with approval and pride.


Thank-You! to our customers for voting us the BEST FLOORING STORE IN MEDICINE HAT 8 YEARS IN A ROW! 2021 2020 9 8 7 6 We lok forward to meeting your floring needs in the future!


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