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Hotel chain's Taber location not yet set in stone |
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Tuesday, 01 April 2008 |
Developers of the Taber's shopping complex in the Wal-Mart area are continuing to explore options, with different hotel and retail businesses for the site west of Boston Pizza.
By Jennifer Elves
Taber Times
Mayor Ray Bryant said he was previously under the impression they were close to sealing a deal with Ramada Hotel and Suites to occupy the space. Developers, however, are still in discussions with various businesses regarding occupancy of the site.
"I thought it was coming down the home stretch that it would be the Ramada," said Bryant.
"We have had some discussions. I thought we were moving forward (with it) but obviously that's not the case."
John MacDonald with Triumph Properties, which is part owner of the shopping complex, said the company is pursuing some other hotel opportunities as well.
"The Ramada could very well be the one we end up going with but like I said, there are other hotels we're looking into," said MacDonald, who added he can not say whether it is more likely for a hotel or retail business to occupy the space. "There are two-and-a-half acres we can development (on) when a tenant decides to come forward with the right business terms."
He said surveying of the site where a hotel or retail store would be built has been done.
The plan, he explained, is to have the hotel or retail business serve as one of two main secondary anchors to Wal-Mart, with the tenant being located adjacent to the vet clinic. The other big anchor, which would be a retail business, he explained, would be located west of Wal-Mart.
Part of the plan, MacDonald noted, also includes a commercial retail unit (which would be smaller than the two secondary anchors) being located between Boston Pizza and Tim Horton's.
Another commercial retail unit would be located east of Tim Horton's, he explained.
A gas station/convenience store is also being planned for the small area available by the traffic lights.
"We are fairly far down the road with a potential tenant on that one," said MacDonald.
He declined to comment on which businesses the company is having discussions with.
Bryant is confident either a hotel or retail business would help the businesses already established in the area such as Boston Pizza and Tim Horton's. He added it would also be nice to have the complex completed because it would make the subdivision more pleasing to look at.
"I think we are all anxious to see that area filled up," said Bryant. "It would be nice if every area was filled and the businesses (all) open. I think they all kind of compliment each other."
Any tenants interested in running a business at the complex can call MacDonald at 1-604-986-8899. |
