BOWDEN — Construction on a development along Highway 2 in Bowden -- including a Tim Hortons restaurant, Shell gas station and convenience store -- is expected to begin this spring and likely open some time in the fall, a Red Deer County official says.
In an interview, Red Deer County director of planning and development and assistant county manager Dave Dittrick said the development, on a half-acre site, got the green light from planning and development staff in November.
He estimated the total cost of the project to be $1.9 million.
The development covers 5,226 square feet (not including the gas pumps) and is located on a lot that used to house an old motel which was demolished last fall to make way for the new development.
Dittrick said in addition to the attractions listed above, there’s room for another business or for expansion of the Tim Hortons or the convenience store.
He said because the project is a permitted use under current policies, planning and development staff were able to approve it themselves without having to have it receive the thumbs-up from town council.
“It was a permitted use, so we’ve given a notice of decision for approval,” he said.
Dittrick said some details still need to be worked out, such as plans for site servicing and stormwater removal, but that’s not expected to be a major impediment.
Dittrick described the project as “wonderful” for Bowden.
"This is a positive for Bowden and we’re looking forward to it. It makes it more sustainable for the community to have all this commercial growth, he said.
Dittrick said combined with the A & W and Chevron gas station development that opened last year on the old rest stop site, it shows business confidence in the town, despite the current pandemic.
“Our traffic counts — transportation logistics -- is going nuts. Like our truck stop is just booming, right? So I think, pandemic aside, goods and services are still moving back and forth along (Highway 2),” he said.
Dittrick said a similar development near Penhold demonstrates that same confidence in business potential in the area.
