The new millennium opened with United Cycle poised to continue growing with bicycles and sporting goods in separate locations. In 2003, United Outfitters opened in the United Centre (just south of United Cycle). This was a completely new product experience with camping and outdoor gear. After two years of supporting a third location, we realized that we should stay focused on our core products of sporting goods and bicycle. The internet, website, and e-commerce was changing the way retail business was done, and United Cycle worked to respond to this new way of business. The staff was growing to over 150 (and counting!), and the number of suppliers was up to approximately 300. (This is quite a contrast to the 40’s when there was a staff of two or three and three suppliers for most of the product!)

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The senior management of the company evolved from Wilf, Iola, and Rod to a management team, including Iola’s son Jason Bots and Wilf’s daughter Leah and her husband Jeff Stuparyk. Wilf and Iola stepped into the coaching and mentoring role while both staying active in community projects. Alberta Cycle was sold, and Rod retired from United Cycle.

The decision was made that to maximize our talents and resources, we needed to consolidate all operations under one roof. Joe Bots led the construction of an addition to the United Center building increasing our footage to over 100,000 feet. We moved our sporting goods departments across the parking lot from The Reg Brooks building to this new United Cycle Building in the summer of 2009. The company was poised to move into the next decade with all our business together. United Cycle is no stranger to change. You’ll see our roots are almost tied as close to a hammer as a hockey stick. If you’re counting, you’ll notice this is our 5th major move – in time for a 6th generation of customers.

2002

Alberta Cycle was sold; Rod Brooks retired from United Cycle.

Jason Bots joined the ownership group.

2003

United Cycle is 75 years old!

United Outfitters opened in United Centre.

Culmination of the Gateway boulevard success plan as the Old Strathcona Arch is completed and dedicated. United Cycle participates as part of its anniversary celebration.

United Centre announces intention to develop a “linear-style” museum, winding along the edge of Gateway Boulevard, which is dedicated to a celebration of sport.

United Cycle took over the ‘Champions’ Oilers retail operations and ran the 5 outlets at all Oilers games. The highlight of this time was participating in the Heritage Classic game on Nov 22, 2003, merchandising and selling all the souvenir product at the game.

2006

Following the NHL strike and years after their previous playoff contention, the Oilers went to the Stanley Cup Final!

There were signs of the growing economy. The increase in disposable income was being seen in sales of technical clothing. This emerging trend, led by the brand Underarmour, was taking the market by storm.

2007

On the cusp of boom times and with a strong Canadian dollar, these were good times for retail, accompanied by some new challenges. Staffing shortages in skilled positions were especially difficult. This affected United Cycle most particularly in bicycle service.

In anticipation of United Cycle’s 2008 80th anniversary and in acknowledgement of Hockey AB’s 100th Anniversary, an exciting plan was launched to build a replica Stanley Cup.

Leah and Jeff Stuparyk joined the ownership group.

2008

United Cycle turned 80 years old!

Business was growing at a more rapid rate than the current infrastructure could support during Alberta’s economic boom. The decision was made to break ground for a new building!

United Cycle was increasing involvement in community events through clubs, with trailers and vans, and tents.

2009

In 2009, the decision was made that the company would operate ‘Better Together’. All products and services were combined under one roof, across the parking lot from the Reg Brooks Building. The 100,000+ square foot United Cycle Building was officially opened in 2009. The opening of this new building signaled a transfer in the day to day leadership of the company. Wilf and Iola have stepped into a coaching and mentoring role sharing their combined 100 years of business acumen with family and staff.

Launch of the new technical running department.

Interactive experiences were built into the new site including indoor batting cage, hockey shooting lanes, and bike test ride area.

Antique Mall (which was previously owned by family members Lisa and Tim Ross) opened in the Reg Brooks Building (United Cycle’s old building).

2000s facts

  • Population of Edmonton: 800,000

  • Prime Minister: Stephen Harper

  • Average annual income: $42,000

  • Average cost of a mountain bike: $650

  • Average cost of top end skates: $500

  • Cost of skate sharpening: $6

  • Major movie and TV series were Jason Bourne, Harry Potter, Shrek, Law and Order, and Grey’s Anatomy

  • The tech industry exploded with the iPod’s debut in 2001, followed by Facebook, Twitter, smartphones, YouTube, Wikipedia, Wii, GPS, and DVR…..the list goes on

The Stanley Cup

Stanley is a gift to hockey in Alberta in celebration of Hockey Alberta’s 100th anniversary and United Cycle’s 80th anniversary.Our Stanley is one of a kind – a snapshot of hockey excellence, featuring the cup winning teams since 1892. It captures hockey in the heartland with complete team rosters from Alberta’s first year in the NHL (1979/80 to 2006/07).Two local businesses, United Cycle and Imark Metal Fabricators, shared a vision and passion for the idea of bringing Stanley to life. It has become a city landmark; backdrop for hockey broadcasts, site of graduation and wedding pictures, and somewhere special for customer and visitors to the city to return to again and again.

  • 12.5 feet tall
  • 850 pounds
  • 320 hours of welding and grinding
  • 165 man hours of fabrication and fitting
  • 150 hours of computer set up programming
  • Pride in workmanship….Priceless

The Heritage Classic

Heritage Classic – ‘if you build it, they will come’.The Edmonton Oilers played the Montreal Canadians (ultimately losing 4-3), in the first ever NHL game to be played outdoors as a regular season game. Commonwealth Stadium was outfitted with ice and 57,167 fans (many arriving from all over the world) braved -30 degree (with wind chill) weather to watch both an alumni game and the league game. A highlight of the game was watching the alumni legends scrape the ice with shovels between periods!

United Cycle, through their contract with the Edmonton Oiler’s Champions operations, had 14 kiosks and retail outlets at the Heritage Classic game. A crew of over 100 were on location, braving the freezing temperatures and crowd mayhem, to sell programs, branded merchandise (where the toques were a big hit!) and spread Edmonton hospitality. Workers included family and friends, volunteers from Sport Central and company staff members who all came together to create United Cycle magic in a truly memorable event.

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