One of Okotoks’ newest business hubs is starting to see its initial burst of activity.
The first building in the expansion of the Okotoks Business Park has sprouted up and a Town committee confirmed a new service station will be one of the key businesses to anchor the development.
The Municipal Planning Commission approved a proposal from Shell Canada to build a gas station and convenience store in the Okotoks Business Park on the corner of 32nd Street and North Railway.
However, Expressions was the first out of the gate to start construction on a new home for the Okotoks-based sign business.
“We wanted to get in there early,” said owner Kerri Van Hell.
The Town-led development is adding 28.6 acres to the business park over two phases, with 11 acres in the first phase and 17.6 acres in the second. The first phase includes 12 lots, five of which have already been sold.
Van Hell is expanding and moving her business from its current home in the existing business park. She said she hopes to finish construction by the end of April and move in soon afterwards.
Not only will the new building give the business room to grow, it will also give Van Hell a new revenue stream.
“We’re going to be using half of it for our sign business… and the other half we’re looking to lease out,” she said.
Van Hell has already received queries about leasing the space and is starting to review potential tenants.
Now, she can’t wait to get a few more neighbours in the area and she won’t have to wait long.
Shell Canada will be building a gas station at the northwest corner of the intersection of North Railway Street and 32nd Street. The company’s plan is for a gas station with a convenience store and a touchless car wash.
Shell spokesperson Jackie Panera said the company hopes to begin construction in May or June and to be open by the end of the year.
“Shell was attracted to create this site on this location because it is in a high traffic location and we see this as a great place to serve our customers,” she said. “The site is on a spacious lot, with easy access.”
Town planner Wendy Cardiff said the station will be similar in size to the Shell gas station on Northridge Drive near the railway tracks.
She said the company has committed to go beyond the basic landscaping requirements of having 10 per cent of the site landscaped and will plant a larger number of trees and bushes than normal.
With the committee’s approval, there is a two-week period for people to appeal the decision. Cardiff said there are still a number of conditions, including the completion of an engineering plan, that needs to be finished before work can start.
Shane Olson, Okotoks’ economic development team leader, said the gas station will help lead development of the business park.
“This would be the largest one on that corner site, it’s a key site,” he said. “It’s a visual site, you’ll be able to see it as you come across McAlpine Crossing bridge,” he said.
According to Olson, all marketing and lot sales to date have been done by word of mouth.
This is about to change.
Olson is gearing up a marketing campaign for lots in the business park this spring.
While the campaign will include Okotoks, he said it will be a significant effort and will also target other communities in the Calgary region, including High River and Cochrane.
