Construction begins on major Tsuut'ina Nation development near southwest Calgary
Leaders of Tsuut'ina Nation and members of the Calgary business community formally broke ground Tuesday on a development meant to generate investment and growth.
Situated close to the Grey Eagle Casino, construction was officially started on Taza Park, one of three projects forming a broader development on 1,200 acres of Tsuut'ina Nation land.
Taza Park is planned as a mixed-use community of retail, residential, entertainment space.
At a ceremony acknowledging the first shovels in the ground, officials from Tsuut'ina and Taza announced auto dealerships Metro Ford and Big 4 Motors will be the first anchor tenants in the new development.
Both are relocating from Calgary and plan to be open for business by the fall of 2022.
"This signals a start for something bigger," said Bryce Starlight, vice-president of development at Taza.
"While these are two influential and well-known businesses in the Calgary market, we feel it's the signal of even greater things to come."
Metro Ford aims on constructing a 75,000-square-foot facility featuring 44 service bays, 13 electronic vehicle (EV) charging stations and a high-tech customer lounge. Big Four Motors, which sells Jeep vehicles, also has plans for a large, modern facility with several EV charging stations and service bays.
"This partnership really shows the Calgary spirit, doing things together and evolving with the shape of the city," said Gerry Wood, president of Wood Automotive Group.
"With the construction of Stoney Trail nearby this site is extremely important, it's just on the edge where lots of exciting cultural and economic activity is going to happen."
While the project is expected to create numerous employment opportunities, Starlight said members of Tsuut'ina will be at the core of the expansive development.
"We'd like to see our Tsuut'ina members take on more senior roles, and we'll be partnering with our tenants to find avenues toward career growth. We'll also be looking for ways for Tsuut'ina businesses to participate both directly and indirectly within the development."
Taza Park is expected to open in the fall of 2022. More information can be found online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.
BREAKING Jury deliberations begin in Donald Trump's hush money criminal case
Jury deliberations began Wednesday in Donald Trump’s hush money trial, putting the outcome of the historic case in the hands of a dozen New Yorkers who have vowed to be fair and impartial in the face of their unprecedented task.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
P.E.I. kiteboarder 'lucky to be alive' after shark attack in Turks and Caicos
A professional kiteboarder from P.E.I. says he has been seriously injured in a shark attack that occurred while he was snorkelling in the Turks and Caicos Islands last week.
'Scandals and secrets': On board the world's most exclusive private residential ship
It’s a floating city exclusively home to the 1 per cent, a playground for multimillionaires and billionaires that circumnavigates the world's oceans.
What weather experts say to expect this summer in Canada
Get ready to feel the heat, Canada. Weather experts are predicting more sunshine and warmer temperatures for the summer.
Canada announces $11B for military aircraft training
Canada has announced an $11.2-billion contract to improve training platforms for the military, including the purchase of 70 training aircraft for the Future Aircrew Training program.
CNN exclusive: A federal grand jury may soon hear from Sean 'Diddy' Combs' accusers
Federal investigators are preparing to bring accusers of music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs before a federal grand jury, two sources familiar with the probe tell CNN — signaling the U.S. Justice Department is moving toward potentially seeking an indictment of Combs.
In bizarre provocation, North Korea flies trash, manure balloons over the South
North Korea flew hundreds of balloons carrying trash and manure toward South Korea in one of its most bizarre provocations against its rival in years, prompting the South’s military to mobilize chemical and explosive response teams to recover objects and debris in different parts of the country.