A planned development by Westview Co-operative Association in the Netook Crossing business park east of Olds does not mean the end of Westview Co-op's store and gas bar in Olds itself, Westview general manager Dennis Laing says.
However, he says changes will likely come to the gas bar and store in the town in the next five to 10 years.
The Mountain View County Municipal Planning Commission has approved a permit for a $3.7-million development by the Westview Co-operative Association in the Netook Crossing business park.
The property is located on the south side of Highway 27, about 750 metres west of Highway 2.
The plan is to build a convenience store and four additional gas pumps in addition to the Westview Co-op cardlock facility built there previously.
In addition to selling typical convenience store items such as snacks and beverages, the facility would sell propane for consumer and automotive use.
It's anticipated that about 15 employees would work there.
If all goes well, Laing anticipates the Netook project could be open for business by the May long weekend next year.
During an interview with the Albertan, Laing stressed Westview Co-op plans to remain in both Olds and at the Netook site.
"We're looking at capturing two different markets," Laing said. "Our site in town, we capture town traffic. Our site on the highway, we're not looking to move that town traffic out to the highway, we're looking at capturing QEII highway traffic."
"Westview Co-op has a commitment to the communities that we serve. We will continue investing into our communities for the benefit of our entire membership," he added.
That said, Laing noted the current Westview facility at Highway 27 and 53rd Avenue in Olds has been there for about 20 years. He figures it has about five to 10 years of life in it before it will have to be revamped.
Laing was asked if that redevelopment would result in a "radically different" facility there.
"The best way to answer that is I can't tell you at this time because we don't know. One of the constraints that we do have though in town is room, space," Laing said.
"So would it be radically different? I don't know. Could it be radically different? I don't know, because it would take all sorts of design prep and traffic flow analyzing and that sort of thing. But I guess to set to rest any fears, the site in town is profitable and it will remain operable."
He said besides capturing business from Highway 2, another advantage of the Netook Crossing development is customers could shop there while the Olds store and gas bar are redeveloped.
He praised former Westview Co-op management and board members for having the "foresight" to buy the Netook Crossing land about 10 years ago.
Last fall, Westview Co-op and Drumheller Co-op merged into one entity. Laing was asked if the planned Netook Crossing development is related to that merger in any way. He said there's no connection.
Laing said if all goes well, he's hopeful construction of the Netook Crossing project can begin in mid-winter.
"Now having said that, that would be our best-case scenario. If something happens that the price is too high to do winter construction or the contractor's not comfortable with quality in winter construction, then it would be spring," he said.
"But I'm anticipating to have that site open -- hoping, fingers crossed -- May long weekend."
