Construction on a brand new Canadian Tire store here could begin as early as next week as the town and corporation fast-track the process.
Last month, Canadian Tire submitted a site plan for a new building, including drainage issues, building parameters, and driveway/ street access, to the town for its approval.
Town council approved the site plan at its regular meeting Monday night.
“In an effort to help Canadian Tire move forward, we did fasttrack [the site plan approval],” said Fort Frances CAO Bill Naturkach.
“We approved the agreement [at council], but have not signed the agreement.”^Naturkach said the town merely is waiting for the documents from Canadian Tire’s corporate office, which will be signed upon receipt.
“That puts them in the next stage of their progress,” he added.
Canadian Tire now must submit a request for a building permit to begin the construction of infrastructure on the site, which is on the property where the current store sites at the corner of King’s Highway and McIrvine Road.
“It will be submitted to us, presumably, over the next day or so,” said Naturkach. “They would like to be in the ground by the end of next week.
“We have been asked for expedited building permits,” he added.
“We’re trying to facilitate their aggressive construction schedule.
It’s very doable.”^He noted the town has had ongoing discussions with the corporation, as recently as yesterday, about moving the construction forward.
Naturkach confirmed the site plan did include the 68,000 sq. ft.
building, including an attached Mark’s Work Warehouse, as well as a gas bar.
“It’s in the site plan,” he said, “but they’re not going to pursue it at this time.”^But since the gas bar is on the site plan and that plan has been approved, it gives Canadian Tire the option of adding it at a later date.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
