In a few weeks the construction of Riverbend Co-op’s new gas bar and convenience store on Highway 11 at Davidson’s north entrance will go to tender, learned the Co-op’s membership at the organization’s annual general meeting in Davidson Thursday.
The new facility will feature a four-pump eight-lane gas bar, five-pump five-lane cardlock, a large convenience store and “guess who’s coming to town?” Riverbend Co-op’s general manager Dale Firby asked the crowd.
He then quickly spilled the beans, coffee beans in fact, letting everyone know that the 24-acre site will be home to a Tim Hortons franchise.
Riverbend bought the land on the east side of Highway 11 in March 2012 so it could build the new gas bar and convenience store. If a restaurant were to be part of the project, Firby had said it would be a lease arrangement to a franchise with a recognized brand.
With Tim Hortons, “Our view is we’ve got the number one Canadian restaurant teaming up with the number one Western Canadian gas bar operator,” Firby said.
The franchise operator of the Tim Hortons has yet to be determined. Firby said Riverbend is working with a development company that has the job of finding a franchise operator. Riverbend Co-op will then lease the building to the operator.
If all goes well lining up contractors and the weather co-operates, Firby said he expects the new facility to be open in December.