The Royal Canadian Legion will soon become sporty on the building’s south side.
The retail portion, a separate business within North Star Sports, will be moving to the Red Deer branch site at 2818 Bremner Ave. The rest of North Star Sports, which looks after embroidery, screening, uniforms and other goods for teams and sports organizations, will continue to run from its downtown location at 5121 47th St.
Gord Clark, who bought the retail portion of North Star Sports about five years ago, is heading over to the south side of town because he said the location is ideal. The store will face Bower Place Shopping Centre, one of Red Deer’s two large shopping malls. His operation is currently called Gord’s Northstar Sports, but he may change the name as part of the move.
“The south side of town is pretty busy, especially on the weekends,” said Clark.
Clark’s business deals with equipment for sports like hockey, ringette, curling and lacrosse. Among the items on hand are shin pads, skates, bats, gloves and lacrosse shafts.
Clark said he hopes to be moved sometime in mid-August and prior to the Labour Day weekend.
Renovations are being done inside the leased space of about 4,400 square feet in the Legion building, which is slightly larger than Clark’s current space. The leased space has been sitting empty but for the past couple of years, a toy store would occupy the area at Christmas time, Clark said.
Clark employs four individuals and then when hockey season arrives, another four or so are added.
He’s not sure whether he’ll need to hire more staff at the new location.
The store phone number for Clark’s business will remain the same at 403-341-3699.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com