SmartCentres gets highways approval

SmartCentres appears to have cleared the last hurdle in its quest to build a shopping centre at the west end of town.

Observer file photo

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An approval that SmartCentres has long been waiting for has been granted, so the shopping centre planned for the west end of town will now be moving ahead.

Sandra Kaiser, vice-president of corporate affairs for SmartCentres, told the Observer in an email Thursday afternoon: "SmartCentres will begin the first phase of construction including the widening of Highway 1, the development of an internal frontage road in addition to the first store. Construction is scheduled to begin immediately and is expected to be completed by the end of 2013. Construction contracts have been awarded to Norson Construction Ltd. for the work on the site and BA Dawson Blacktop Ltd. for the offsites."

SmartCentres has been waiting for the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to approve its plans in relation to the Trans-Canada Highway.

The City of Salmon Arm cannot issue a development permit -– the permit governing form and character of a development – until MOTI has signed off on it. Now that MOTI has given its approval, the shopping centre will proceed.