TISDALE — Present plans call for a large scale addition to be undertaken to Beeland Co-operative Association facilities in Tisdale this year [1978]. The announcement of the expansion was made this week by General Manager Ken Hart.
Mr. Hart estimated the total cost of the development may run as high as $1 million [$3.7 million in 2018 dollars]. Whether or not the project is proceeded with will depend entirely on the results of the tender call, which is expected to be made about mid-June. Arrangements have been completed for financing the project.
To be constructed on the southwest corner of the intersection of 101st Avenue and 99th Street, it will be a completely new facility to accommodate the home improvement centre, lumber and building supplies and agricultural supplies. Other commodities to be sold from the new building will be chemicals, feed supplements and animal health products. It will also contain a complete tack centre for horse and riding equipment.
The sales area in the new structure will be 9,000 square feet and an additional 8,000 square feet of storage space will be provided.
A feature of the home improvement centre will be a floor covering department which will allow the display of 40 to 50 rolls of carpeting. The area will provide display and handling facilities unlike any others in the province outside of the cities, Mr. Hart said.
The paint section will be greatly increased and a wallpaper section will afford customers the opportunity to view many designs while seated in a special display area. The property where the development will take place is already owned by the co-operative association. The green metal structure already on the site and used for feed supplement and chemical storage will be moved to the west end of the property.
The structure presently housing the farm and builders’ supply departments along with the service station will remain. Mr. Hart said this area will be renovated for use solely as a service station operation. The enlarged service station premises will afford better service to customers, the general manager added, and afford the association the opportunity to offer more lines of merchandise through this outlet.
Plans call for a paved 40-car parking lot to be provided at the front of the building.
