Construction projects in Fort Frances seem to be a catching fad this year as rumours this week point the finger at Canadian Tire as the next business out of the gates in the race expand or build.
A spokeswoman for Canadian Tire’s corporate office said yesterday that there is nothing to report, yet.
“[Canadian Tire] is looking at opportunities all over the country and that includes places like Fort Frances,” she said. “We’re looking at opportunities but nothing is definitive, yet.
“It’s not at a stage where we can say anything,” she added.
An expansion project at Canadian Tire would make it the fifth major construction project in the west end this year, such as the expansion of Share Bear’s Place including a new Sears appliance store that was completed last month.
Other projects that are ongoing include the expansion project at J.W. Walker School, scheduled to be complete next June, and the building of a Tim Hortons doughnut and coffee shop at the corner of King’s Highway and Elm Avenue across from Rainy Lake Plaza.
Construction there is progressing rapidly as the steel structure for the building should be erected by the end of this week and construction on the roof and walls will begin very shortly. The store is scheduled to open in mid- to late-August.
And perhaps the most controversial construction start of the year is also progressing with the confirmation this week that Wal-Mart has contractor Ram Construction of Calgary to build its new store at 1250 King’s Highway.
While it previously was reported the store could be open in time for Christmas, it is not known as to whether this date is still a possibility.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
