Thousands of people crammed into Alberta's new shopping experience Wednesday morning.

The CrossIron Mills mall officially opened its doors to long lineups of shoppers.

Some camped out for hours hoping to get their hands on gift certificates and other special offers.

Police and security officers were also on-hand to ensure the opening went smoothly.

The RCMP had a dozen officers monitoring traffic and the crowds. The cost of the extra service will be paid for by the mall owners.

A police helicopter was also circling overhead to monitor traffic levels, which were described as being "extremely manageable" by officials.

Highway 566 is the only road that leads directly to the mall from the QEII Highway.

The mall is the first new mall to be built in Alberta in two decades and may serve as an indicator of where the province's economic recovery stands right now.