The development permit application for a proposed new shopping centre for Clearwater should go before town council on April 15, according to Michael Lee, a vice-president with Jim Pattison Developments.
The application was submitted to District of Clearwater on Feb. 14.
On the assumption that the development permit will be approved, the developers are concurrently getting ready to apply for a building permit, Lee said.
Once the building permit is obtained, site clearing for a new Buy-Low grocery store will begin.
The plan is to fast-track the grocery store, said the Pattison vice-president. Space for additional commercial retail units will go ahead as other tenants sign on.
Several businesses have shown interest in locating in the new shopping center, he said, but he cannot disclose anything more at this time.
The goal is to complete construction of the new Buy-Low store by the end of the year.
“All the stars would have to align for that to happen,” he said.
Lee had earlier predicted that the new grocery would more realistically be ready by June or July, 2015.
Norson Construction, which has an office in Kelowna, has been chosen to be general contractor for the project.
According to the Norson website, the company specializes in large-scale retail, commercial and institutional construction projects.
Established in 1983, Norson offers general contracting, construction management and design build services throughout Western Canada. It has offices in Kelowna, Vancouver and Edmonton.
The Pattison Group has worked with Norson before on projects and is confident about the company's knowledge of grocery store construction, Lee said.
The building being planned would be a typical Buy-Low store, the Pattison vice-president said, similar to ones in Athabaska, Alberta, as well as in Oliver and Osoyoos in B.C. It also would be similar to one in Langton, Alberta, that is due to open this summer.
Landscaping for the development is part of the development permit application. The objective will be to use low maintenance plants that are hardy to this area and that will need minimal irrigation after the first few years.
The proposed new shopping center would be located next to the junction of Highway 5 and Park Drive, southwest of the roundabout.
Buy-Low Foods took over ownership of Safety Mart in Clearwater at the beginning of December last year.
