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New Wal-Mart Expected to Ignite Major Retail Expansion in Trail | May 5th, 2004 |
Trail, B.C. – (May 4, 2004) – The first major commercial development in 25 years in Greater Trail will begin this summer with the construction of an 85,000 square foot Wal-Mart store. The retail outlet will occupy a 10-acre parcel of land on the site of the Auto-Vue Drive-in theatre that closed last year after 50 years.
The City of Trail has ratified an agreement with Skylark Developments of Calgary. Skylark will proceed with land acquisition and site preparation. Construction of the new store and parking for 600 vehicles begins in June.
The Wal-Mart project is expected to generate more than 150 construction jobs and the store will employ more than 150 associates from the local community. On average, the development of a new Wal-Mart store represents an investment of $15 million to $20 million in the local community.
“We are excited to be investing in Trail,” said Mario Pilozzi, president and CEO of Wal-Mart Canada. “We will focus on providing the merchandise selection, everyday low prices and shopping experience our customers across Canada rely upon. Community involvement and philanthropy will also be a key focus in Trail.”
Canadian Tire is moving forward with a bid to locate near the new Wal-Mart store. The company has advanced a rezoning proposal that could see construction start in the fall. These developments will solidify Greater Trail as the financial, commercial, industrial and health center of the West Kootenay region.
“These are the results of two years of hard work and it shows Trail is very much open for business,” says City of Trail mayor Dieter Bogs. “We’re excited that a nationally successful company like Wal-Mart has the confidence to make a substantial investment in our community. We believe this will be a catalyst for much more economic development.”
The Greater Trail Region has 22,000 residents and is home to Teck Cominco’s metals refinery – one of the world’s largest integrated lead zinc smelter complex.
Wal-Mart Canada Corp., established in 1994 and headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, operates a growing network of 231 stores nationwide with more than 60,000 associates. The company has one of Canada’s strongest charitable and community involvement programs under the banner of “Good. Works.” operating on a national and local scale. Nearly 100 Canadian communities have lobbied or petitioned for a Wal-Mart store.
For more information contact:
Jamie Forbes
Corporate Administrator
City of Trail
(250) 364-1262
Kevin Groh
Wal-Mart Canada
(905) 821-2111 Ext. 8012
Randy McIntosh
Skylark Developments Ltd.
(403) 258-0536
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