LAC LA BICHE - The first Tim Hortons franchise in Lac La Biche will be fully operational by the end of the year, says Lac La Biche County Mayor Paul Reutov.
The mayor, who has been involved in the initiative to bring the franchise to the Lac La Biche area for several years, said it’s been a long time in the making.
“There are quite a few moving pieces that go into planning a project of this magnitude,” he stated. “The land had to be selected and the property title transferred to the owners. Although it took a long time for this to happen, it’s better late than never.”
While there has been no official notice about the private business development, the arrival of the iconic Canadian franchise has been a poorly-kept secret.
The project has been part of behind-closed-doors discussions for several months — but with preliminary construction on property along 91 Avenue taking place in recent weeks, many residents have suspected that plans are moving forward.
The idea of adding a Tim Hortons is part of a larger expansion scheme on the intersection where 91st Avenue meets Beaver Hill Road leading to the Bold Center. The plans tie in with a proposed $27 million aquatic centre that will be built at the Bold Center by 2025.
Reutov, who has also owned property and businesses in the same area where the Tim Horton's is planned, says the new development is about future growth.
“This is not only about Tim Hortons, but also about the overall improvement of that intersection and the area,” he said.
The total build-out of the project is $2.5 million, which includes site construction and land purchase.
Years in the making
The Tim Horton's project has been in play for several years. Rumours and speculation about the business in the community have been around for more than a decade. Each time the project finds traction, however, circumstances derail or delay the process. Two years ago, a municipal news release was even issued saying construction would begin on a Tim Horton's franchise by the end of 2021. A follow up announcement a year later said the project was delayed due to unforeseen circumstances.
Reutov confirmed the most recent plans last week, just over a month after construction crews began the foundation work for a new building near the Fat Unicorn restaurant. He confirmed that the latest approvals come after many months of discussions with Canadian Commercial Group of Companies, an Ontario-based business that has built several Tim Horton's operations across Canada.
The mayor expects the Lac La Biche franchise will be fully operational by the end of 2023.
Reutov said not only will the new Tim Hortons be a boost to the local economy, but it will also help to put Lac La Biche County on the map.
“Tim Hortons is one of the most iconic Canadian symbols, and having a franchise makes a community more recognizable,” he said. “It’s almost like a badge of honour.”
Getting past delays
Lee Greenwood, the vice president of Canadian Commercial Group of Companies, said supply chain disruptions coupled with sky-rocketing costs of materials forced the company to delay the start of construction.
“Acquiring enough panels and HVAC units was nearly impossible, and everything was very expensive,” Greenwood stated. “The risk of starting a project without heating was too great. Therefore, we had to regroup and concentrate on opening in 2023.”
Now that construction has begun, the project is moving forward at a steady pace.
Presently, the foundation and framing of the building is taking shape. Work on the roof is set to begin by the end of July. Masonry and brickwork will take place on the exterior of the building after that.
“Our goal is to have the parking lot paved in September,” Greenwood said. “Then the inside work such as the electrical, plumbing and heating and ventilation will start. Once that is out of the way, we’ll be ready to open.”
