Discovery Co-op has cut the ribbon on its latest location – a convenience store, gas bar and car wash in the town of Battleford.
The $6.3 million project was completed this summer and the grand opening was Thursday morning. The festivities included the cutting of a celebration cake and a barbeque put on by the Fred Light Museum, with proceeds going to the museum.
The opening was a historic one for Discovery Co-op, whose operations span more than 80 years.
It’s somewhat hard to believe that the Co-op has had no retail presence in the town of Battleford – until now.
“I know that it’s been something talked about at the board table for some time,” said Mike Nord, general manager of Discovery Co-op. “We wanted to make sure, too, that we came in the right way.”
Board president Randy Graham noted the planning that was involved.
“There’s a lot of careful planning, particularly with major capital projects. This project itself is $6.3 million dollars, so it does take a lot of planning, making sure from a financial sense that we’re spending and allocating our members’ money in the right manner to the right projects and in the right location.”
Graham was happy to see the town finally represented with a Discovery Co-op location.
“I have to agree, it’s about time we had representation in a service facility here,” said Graham.
The development is part of a number of changes at Discovery Co-op which includes the new name adopted earlier this year as well as expansion at Territorial Place Mall, with construction ongoing at that location.
A new gas bar for the Co-op in the Battlefords seems an obvious choice. Long lineups have been typical at the Co-op’s gas bar outlet at Territorial Place Mall.
To meet the demand of their members, Discovery Co-op recently opened a second gas bar and convenience store location on Carlton Trail near Walmart.
Now, the Co-op has its gas bar location at Battleford Towne Square, part of the Battleford West development adjacent to highway 4.
“This site is going to be one to rival any site anywhere,” said Nord. The buildings are a replica of the Carlton Trail location, but Nord said the land is different – it’s “a lot bigger site,” he said.
The retail operation is adjacent to the still-new Tim Hortons location, and is within a short distance of a residential area that is still under development, with 14 new homes and 37 new condominiums to go up there in the coming months.
A new seniors apartment complex from BridgeRoad Developments is nearing completion across the street, and is expected to welcome its first tenants later this year.
“I think it shows for the community of the Battlefords just how much the area is growing and how well it’s doing,” said Nord.
“I think that speaks not just to the Discovery Co-op, but it speaks to all the businesses here around, making sure that the community continues to grow.”
