NEWS & EVENTS
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NEWS
Press Release
October 12, 2010
Press Release
StoneGate to Generate 600 Jobs
Avatex Devcorp, the developer of the Melfort StoneGate retail project, says that the project will develop over 600 full and part time jobs when the project is completed over the next 5 to 7 years.
The numbers are based on actual employment at existing retailers at Cornerstone Prince Albert, a similar project that has been under development in Prince Albert over the last 8 years.
Mayor Kevin Philips commented "The positive impact of StoneGate on our community has been felt in a big way already. The forecasted 600 plus jobs will translate into an economy boost of over $10,000,000 in wages. With all of the implications in services, construction, etc. these wages will improve our economy by $70,000,000 or more yearly. That is just the impact of the wages and does not include the impact of having residents from all over the Northeast visit our community with their shopping dollar.”
“A huge impact for a City our size!" Philips emphasized.
Canadian Tire, which opened earlier this year in StoneGate, already employs approximately 38 full and part time people. Additional people work in the Mark’s store within the Canadian Tire building.
Tim Hortons, which will open in November, will employ approximately 28 people.
Canalta Hotels, which started construction this week, will employ over 30 people when it opens late in 2011.
Long term plans for StoneGate include a large grocery store, additional retail stores, free standing restaurants, and one or more banks. Multi tenant buildings will house smaller retailers.
The project, to be built on 30 acres, will total approximately 250,000 sq.ft. of building space when fully developed over the next 5 to 7 years.
Avatex expects the shopping center to draw traffic over a wide market area, including Tisdale, and Nipawin, and extending east to the town of Hudson Bay and the Manitoba border. The trade area has a population of approximately 40,000 people.
“In addition to creating jobs, this shopping center will make Melfort a more attractive place to live and raise a family, as it will provide a lot of retail services that people currently have to drive to Saskatoon or Prince Albert for.” says Mr. Burton, President of Avatex.
Avatex Devcorp, based in Edmonton, Alberta, has been involved in the development of a number of similar projects in Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Avatex is working with partner Jim Richl of Greystone Properties on development of the project.
Further information:
John Burton, P.Eng.
Avatex Devcorp Inc.
780-451-3597
480-315-9207
