Still No Cash From Canadian Tire For Retail Development

By Robert Thomas

It’s a question many in the communty and Council watchers have asked or are asking and that is how much money has Canadian Tire paid towards its proposed new retail development on City-owned land now used by the Moose Jaw Exhibition Company.

And as it was when it was announced in 2016 the City has yet to receive any payment at all from the retail giant.

“With respect to the Exhibition lands and the proposed sale there have we received payment from the purchaser?” Councillor Brian Swanson asked.

“No, nothing to date,” Michelle Sanson director of planning replied.

“Have we engaged external services for engineering and design of the servicing required?” Councillor Swanson further asked.

After momentarily pausing Sanson replied “yes…yes we have.”

Swanson then asked if the external engineering and design services work was complete to which Sanson replied no.

Location of the proposed Canadian Tire retail development - MJ Independent file photo

“Just for reassurance we will not issue any tenders until the full purchase?” he asked.

“It is suppose to be April 13th I think is the closing date on that,” Sanson replied.

"City manager Jim Puffalt said at the present time is the sue dilligence period and no contract would be entered until it expires.

“We would not enter into any contract to service the land in case something should happen. It is important we get the ground work done so we meet our oligations under the contract,” Puffalt said.

Swanson reminded Administration of their financial obligations to the Moose jaw Exhibition Company to obtain access to the property which both Sanson and Puffalt said they were aware of.

In December 2019 the City announced they had managed to negotiate a deal with Canadian Tire which would see the Canadian retail giant acquire 11.85 acres of City-owned land for $3,172,725 including off-site levies. The land is presently leased to the Moose Jaw Exhibition Company and is used for pasture.