Interest in Box Springs sign economy improving
astephenson@medicinehatnews.com
Growing commercial interest in the Box Springs Business Park is likely a sign that the economy is starting to improve, says Box Springs Business Group spokesperson John Hashem.
The area — located just north of the Trans-Canada Highway on the western outskirts of Medicine Hat — has been slated as the eventual home of Medicine Hat’s proposed Regional Event Centre. But even though that facility hasn’t been given the go-ahead from city council yet, other developments are taking shape there. In the last 24 months, 35 acres of land within the Box Springs Business Park have been sold, and more land sales are pending. Businesses that have opened in Box Springs within the same 24-month period include Costco, Mattress Mattress, Penn West Energy, Kal Tire, Flaman Fitness, TMG Insurance Adjuster, Snap 24 Hour Fitness, and a lawyer’s office.
Bigger developments are in the works. Close to the proposed Event Centre site is 10 acres of land that have been purchased by Suncor (formerly Petro-Canada) to build a travel centre complete with a full-service A&W,
although construction won’t begin on that project until 2011. And just
west of Costco, a Hampton Inn (part of the Hilton Hotel chain) and Boston Pizza are slated to be built this year.
Hashem says each year he and his business partners attend the International Council of Shopping Centres convention, which is attended by retailers and development companies. Last year’s convention was sluggish, with all parties clearly worried about the economy, but this year’s had an entirely different feel to it.
“It was a fabulous show,” Hashem says. “Everything was really positive, the retailers are starting to move again. So that’s really the first step.”
While the Box Springs Business Group is still counting on the $94.3 million Event Centre project to drive what they hope will be a cluster of hotels and restaurants in the area, Hashem says only the proposed Medicine Hat Lodge convention centre is contingent on the Event Centre going ahead — the majority of the rest of the planned developments are full speed ahead.
Hashem adds the interest being expressed in the area even before the Event Centre is finalized is a good sign that the economic tide is turning.
“Companies like SunCor are buying land even though they’re not going to develop right away, so that gives us a really positive attitude,” he says. “Everything is way more positive than it was a year ago . . . we see this as the start of the economic turnaround, if you want to call it that.”
The mission of the association is to assist in the integration, adjustment and resettlement of immigrants and refugees in the community of Medicine Hat, providing a support system that fosters individual’s needs in an environment of equality and dignity.
Saamis Immigration has been serving New Canadians in Medicine Hat for the last 22 years.
Visit:
Stop by: 177 12 St NE
www.saamisimmigration.ca Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 5T6
A few of our services include:
SETTLEMENT SERVICES When immigrants fi rst arrive in Medicine Hat they are met by the association staff member and a volunteer interpreter if needed.
The Association assists new arrivals in the following areas: Reception: Greeting and provivion of food and lodging. Settlement & Orientation: Housing, shopping, banking, utilities, health care, etc.
Supportive Counseling & Referral: Community contact and access
to other services; ongoing individual support Employment Services: Pre-employment & careeer counseling, information and referrals, volunteer job placement.
Public Awareness & Community Education:
Community development.
REFUGEES RECEPTION HOUSE was opened at the beginning of 2003 to provide temporary accommodation to newly arrived government sponsored refugees destined to Medicine Hat. The house can accommodate up to 16 people at a time.
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE CLASSES are offered on a
full-time and part-time basis. These classes are held onsite and are free of charge. Subsidies for child care are available for the full-time program. Admittance into the program requires clients to complete a Canadian Language Benchmarks (C.L.B.) Assessment to determine what level of English they are at.
52237700•03/30/10
26 — REPORT ON SOUTHEAST ALBERTA 2010 ■ Celebrating our Community
SETTLEMENT WORKERS IN SCHOOLS (S.W.I.S) is a program
which helps new Canadians navigate an unfamiliar school system. Understanding school policy and procedure, School registration and orientation, transportation scheduling, communicating with educators, and accessing school and community resources are a few ways the SWIS program help to elevate stress newcomers feel.
HOST PROGRAM is a volunteer based program in which newcomers to Canada are matched with Canadian friends, who help them to learn about Canadian values and traditions, practice speaking English and learn about community resources and how to use them. Many Newcomers to Canada come from countries where the climate, economy, political and social conditions are very different from those of Canada It takes time and support to learn a new way of life. Help of a volunteer friend can make a big difference.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Our services depend on community involvement and volunteers. We are always on the lookout for Language interpreters, Tutors and classroom helpers. Volunteers may be interested in our Host Program which pairs volunteers and newcomers to Canada. This friendship helps welcome our new friends into Medicine Hat and our culture, while they embrace the wonders of our city.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please call 403-504-1188 or stop in to our offi ce 177 12ST NE
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