Shopping centre approved in Salmon Arm

Following several hours of debate and public hearing, a controversial shopping centre has been approved in Salmon Arm.

“It’s been a long haul. We just want to get going,” says SmartCentres developer Nathan Hildebrand.

SmartCentres first applied to rezone for a Salmon Arm shopping centre on their 62 acre property in 2007. Enormous opposition to big box retail in the Shuswap town slowed down the process as groups tried to stop development on the property.

At Monday evening’s Salmon Arm council meeting, SmartCentres received approval to build on 21 acres of the property off 30th Street at the Trans Canada Highway. The developer must also assess possible road adjustments and complete environmental assessments on the west side of the property.

While Hildebrand says there are no tenants signed for the shopping centre, they are speaking with interested businesses, including Walmart.

If all conditions are satisfied, construction will begin in August.