Virden Recreation & Watersports History

Virden Recreation & Watersports roots became firmly planted more than 45 years ago in a small garage business when Mr. Emil Hoffman, the owner of McGuffins Garage, began selling Ski-Doo snowmobiles. In the late 60's the business moved to its current location at 421 King Street East. It was at this time that the business underwent a name change to Hoffman's Marina. Along with the name change, the addition of boats to the inventory line-up was another major change.

In 1973, Hoffman's Marina was sold to Bruce Biesenthal from Saskatchewan. With the change of hands came another new name, "Bruce's Four Seasons". Bruce added travel trailers, fifth wheels, and truck campers to the line-up. Business boomed as the ATV industry hit full speed and the business became well known as one of the region’s best dealerships.

In 1983, sales manager Peter Dillon and salesman Don Gray purchased the business from Bruce. In 1991, the annual show sale had grown and was hosted in Brandon. The following year, 1992, the two partners restructured their company to specialize in travel trailers and fifth wheels. Four Seasons condensed their operations into the Datsun building selling only RVs. The original location at 421 King Street and the Honda, Marine and Ski Doo portion of the company was sold to Norman Murray.

Norman, who been the head marine mechanic at Four Seasons for many years, took the helm of a ship consisting of 7 employees. Norman, a certified master technician, continued to provide the top line quality customer service and unbeatable product lines that customers had come to know and respect from the dealership.

Since 1992 the dealership has undergone some minor changes such ownership partners and managerial staff and it continues to grow and become stronger with every change. Virden Recreation & Watersports now handles both Bayliner and Sea Ray fiberglass boats, Lund aluminum boats, Harris and Lowe pontoon boats, both Honda and Mercury marine engines, full line of Honda ATV's and power equipment, Ski-Doo snowmobiles, and a line of trailers to compliment all of its products.

In 2008 Virden Recreation & Watersports purchased property at the intersection of King Street and Trans Canada Highway. The detail shop moved immediately to that location with plans for a new state of the art retail facility to be built in the very near future. The relocation to a highway store will serve to increase exposure of the business and allow for Virden Recreation & Watersports to expand its operations to meet the needs of its growing customer base.

Today the Virden Recreation and Watersports team consists of Norman Murray acting as senior partner and General Manager, Norman's twin son's Brent & Shane Murray as junior partners and service technicians and long time employee Matt Stuart as junior partner and Business manager. The remainder of the team includes a service manager and third technician, parts manager and a parts advisor, sales manager and 2 product advisors, an administrative support staff as well as a unit detail manager and an assistant.

Virden Recreation & Watersports continually strives to provide its customers with the best product, at the best price, with the most enjoyable buying experience they have ever had.

At Virden Recreation & Watersports "We take your fun seriously".