Canadian Tire is coming to Parksville.
The company has been working toward opening a store in the Parksville area formally since at least 2007. Parksville council unanimously approved a development permit to renovate the Save-On-Foods location in Wembley Mall at its meeting this week.
Save-On-Foods is building a new, larger, stand-alone store next door, freeing up 3,251 sq.m (35,000 sq.ft.) in the mall.
There was little discussion among councillors Monday night regarding the development permit, which could only consider the form and character of the building, since the renovation fits within the mall’s current zoning.
The new Canadian Tire store will be slightly larger (3,742 sq.m) than the current space, with the addition of a garden centre in the front.
Reacting to a request for comment, Jason Maynes, Canadian Tire Real Estate Ltd. development manager (Western Canada), sent The NEWS an e-mail on Thursday:
“Canadian Tire has been working hard to secure a position within the Parksville community and is excited to be part of the redevelopment of Wembley Mall. The new Canadian Tire store will total 37,000 square feet including 23,600 square feet of retail space and a modern service centre featuring five full-service automotive bays,” said Maynes.
“In addition, the store will feature a spacious attached outdoor garden centre as well as a convenient seasonal sales area providing outdoor gardening materials. Canadian Tire is planning to start construction in spring 2014 and expects the community will see a fall 2014 grand opening.”