More grocery options are now available for Emerald Park and neighbouring White City residents, as the region’s first full-service grocery store, IGA is finally open.
Courtney MacIntyre is an Emerald Park resident and said she used to have to drive to Regina to do her shopping.
“We’re not that far from the city, but it’s a hassle,” MacIntyre said.
“Especially with all the current construction on the highway, it’s sometimes a trip to get to Regina,” she explained.
With the new IGA, MacIntyre is finally able to live, work and shop in her own community.
Four years in the making, the shop’s co-owner Wayne Zook said the decision to open an IGA in the area was a logical move.
“It’s what everyone said they needed for a long time so… We did it,” he said.
The grocery store is the first new IGA store in Western Canada in 15 years.
According to White City mayor Bruce Evans, the area is growing rapidly.
“In the last census that was done, White City was the fastest growing community of our type in Western Canada,” Evans explained.
“We have a 72 per cent growth rate in five years.”
Evans said the store is further confirmation that the region can support this type of investment.
“People do vote with their feet, and people are happy with life out here, so that’s why we continue to grow,” he said.
The mayor said there are other developments in the works. The town plans to develop a strip mall and town centre.
“Our major development in the next number of years will be a town centre, which will be the heart of the community going forward,” Evans said.
Evan also said there are plans in the works to build a lake and square in town as well.