Wal-Mart should soon have company in the commercial area it occupies in southeast Sylvan Lake.
Development of the SmartCentres property has been slow since the retail giant opened in July 2008.
But Canadian Tire has now obtained a building permit for its proposed store and adjacent Mark’s Work Wearhouse, and development approval has been issued for a 9,100-square-foot building that will house a Dollarama.
Tim Schmidt, Sylvan Lake’s director of planning and development, said concept development has been approved for site. It contemplates the development of several other commercial buildings.
A spokesperson with Dollarama said he couldn’t comment on the timelines for that store’s opening, explaining that it will depend on when SmartCentres completes construction of the building. But he said this should occur sometime next year.
“They’re excited to bring the concept to the region,” he said. “They want to move in as soon as they can.”
The new Canadian Tire will open as one of the company’s Smart stores. That new concept emphasizes products like sporting goods, tools and hardware, and automotive supplies.
Smart stores also feature more customer service counters and “help buttons” for shoppers.
Mark’s Work Wearhouse is a division of Canadian Tire.