A flurry of construction activity at the former site of Yorkton's Canadian Tire store has raised a lot of curiosity around town.
Last week, Joscelyn Dosanjh, a Canadian Tire spokesperson confirmed the company will open Sport Chek and Atmosphere stores at the location in spring 2014.
Sport Chek, which Canadian Tire acquired when it bought Forzani Group for $771 million in 2011 is Canada's largest sporting goods and apparel store. Canadian Tire, of course, has always been a major player in that market in its own right, but more as an entry-level competitor.
For generations, Canadians have bought their first set of skates or bicycle from the department store, but moved onto more specialized retailers as their expertise and interest in their particular sports grew. Canadian Tire wanted into that lucrative mid-level market Sport Chek along with Atmosphere, Sport Mart, National Sports, Athletes World, Sports Experts, Intersport, Tech Shop, RnR, Hockey Experts, Nevada Bob's Golf, The Fitness Source, Pegasus, S3, and Econosports-also acquired in the Forzani deal-fit the bill.
Atmosphere also built on another of Canadian Tire's traditional market segments, namely outdoors activities such as backpacking, camping, padding and climbing. Competing with other outdoors specialists such as Mountain Equipment coop in the mid- to high-end gear and equipment segment.
Juanita Polegi, executive director of the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce, said the new additions, along with all the other recent retail development, enhances Yorkton's status as a regional hub.
"Every business that comes to Yorkton is a good thing," she said.
"It helps to draw the people in. Instead of having to go to Winnipeg, Brandon, Regina, Saskatoon, having some of this merchandise makes Yorkton a more attractive place to go shopping."
