From adversity to opportunity: Inside River City Repair

Gord Bunston overcame the unimaginable to become a thriving Fernie business owner

— Photo courtesy Gord Bunston

Gord Bunston, the sole owner of River City Repair in Fernie, has turned personal adversity into a thriving business. After suffering a stroke in 2016, Bunston faced the daunting challenge of relearning basic skills and finding a new direction in life. Drawing on his extensive experience and specialized repair skills, he founded River City Repair, a business that offers a range of services including drysuit maintenance, plastic welding, and upcycling.

Originally from Ajax, Ontario, Bunston has made Fernie his home and has become an integral part of the local community. His dedication to quality repairs and community engagement is evident in his work with local students and first responders. With a vision for the future that includes expanding his educational programs and sustainable practices, Bunston is committed to making a positive impact on Fernie and beyond. Here’s what he had to say about his journey and goals:

- Photo courtesy Gord Bunston

What inspired you to start River City Repair?

Good Old River Dude, o/a River City Repair, was developed out of necessity after a stroke in 2016. After learning how to walk, talk, and understand the new me, I bounced around jobs, trying to find a new path in life. However, like Liam Neeson, I have a very particular set of skills. My skills focused on repairing what I could, be it easy sewing, plastic welding or replacing a car's window motor.

Can you tell us a bit about what you offer?

Presently, we offer drysuit maintenance (gaskets, entry/relief zipper, socks replacement, along with pressure-testing and patching) and plastic welding (repairing rafts, kayaks, snowmobiles and other recreational plastics); we teach these skills and are expanding into upcycling vinyl banners. Check out our Instagram @rivercityrepair to see the growing scope of our abilities and repairs! 

How long have you been in business?

Three fingers long! In 2021 I registered my business, I purchased a business license and never looked back.

What safety measures do you teach in your educational programs, and how do you make safety education fun?

When we find a suitable location, we will offer community education programs. Until then, we can only take on a shop student each year, where we teach how to repair and refurbish whatever we say yes to. Explaining how to make safety fun, inclusive and accessible is an art that I can't explain here.

Could you share a memorable experience from your 20+ years as a river professional?

Geeze, it could be running safety for a T.V. show where a friend was a contestant, rafting the Grand Canyon, guiding canoes in France, stepping onto a S.U.P. post-stroke, watching students overcome their challenges, or that feeling when catching a surf. Or, it could be the few times when I lost my boats, watching them drift downriver. I like getting postcards from Phantom Ranch. 

How do you contribute to the local community through your business?

We help in a few ways. The first is offering a quality repair service locally, expediting the repairs of our first responder groups. We take on shop students from the local M.A.S.T. college program, where we teach them hands-on repair methods. We can also help others who need tools, advice or shop space.

- Photo courtesy Gord Bunston

What do you envision for the future of River City Repair?

We are working our way into developing a working school that instructs in industrial sewing, plastic repair/repurposing, and drysuit repair. We are expanding our drysuit repair, developing products from old vinyl banners and looking into repurposing expired whitewater kayaks into rooftop carriers.

What do you enjoy most about living and working in Fernie?

The people. It's a mixing pot of ideas, cultures, opportunities and adventures.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

We are in a business incubator program through Project Zero, building a business plan and working towards pitching this venture. It's like Shark Tank without Kevin. We are looking for help; we have expanded beyond our floor space, need three-phase power to bring alive an industrial seam tape machine!