3 days ago
Superstore next landmark commercial store on Tsuut'ina Nation, breaks ground
A new Canadian Superstore will arrive in Tsuut'ina Nation by 2026, promising employment for residents of the Indigenous land and a push to the community's economy by attracting more visitors to the area.
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Officials from the Tsuut'ina Nation, Taza Development Corp., along with executives from Loblaw, broke ground on the retail store on Thursday ahead of other development projects planned for the community.
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James Robertson, president of Taza Development Corp. — an equal partnership between Tsuut'ina Nation and real estate development firm Canderel — said he's excited about this for two reasons.
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The first is a continuation of the Buffalo Run development that includes a suite of stores, including Costco and projects such as the Taza Park, a 470-acre urban village that would include 6,500 homes and one million square feet of commercial space, including a retail main street.
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'The second part is yet another major corporation is deciding to partner with us to bring the vision of Taza to life,' Robertson said.
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Robertson said the outlet will also generate more employment for Indigenous people in its construction phase and after it's built. He expects a job fair next year, where the community will have an opportunity to apply for jobs. Some contractors, meanwhile, are from the nation and will probably hire their members.
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He said the organization is staying away from any targets on the number of Indigenous people they'd like to see hired. However, Jonathan Carroll, senior vice-president of Superstore Operations Loblaw Companies Ltd., said the company will work with the cultural team at the nation 'to understand and make sure that we can get the right colleagues into our business who are local.'
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The aim of the new establishment, along with other projects, is to also attract more Calgarians and entice them to linger in the area for as long as possible, Travis Obert, vice president of land development at Taza, said.
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'So the idea is you can come, maybe drop off your kid at a basketball court, then go shopping, and then go for a walk.'
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'We are working with the cultural team to make sure we deliver the right images,' he added.
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In addition to the development of the Taza Park, Robertson the community will receive other additions to the area near the Superstore, such as banks, restaurants other establishments.
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