Excitement is building in the community as Powell River Town Centre embarks on the first phase of an expansion project set to revitalize shopping experiences for residents. The development includes the addition of several national anchor tenants, renovations to existing stores and enhancements to the mall's infrastructure.
Andy Evans, acting general manager of Powell River Town Centre, is sharing insights into the project's vision and progress.
"We're adding a 22,000-square-foot Winners store that's slated to open on May 13, 2025," says Evans. "This is a major addition, and we're expanding the mall's footprint to accommodate them.”
A familiar face in the community, Evans has a long history with the mall and has returned to oversee this transformative period.
“We're also renovating the BC Liquor Store, which will grow to 9,000-square-feet, and updating the CIBC bank with a mini-renovation, including a new entrance," he adds.
In addition to these developments, the mall will welcome Noodlebox and BarBurrito, two popular food franchises, adding to dining options available to shoppers.
"We're building an outdoor patio that will serve Noodlebox, BarBurrito and Subway," explains Evans. "It's going to provide a great space for people to enjoy their meals."
Smili Dental is another new tenant set to open in December. The practice will cater to the oral health needs of patients by providing cutting-edge dental technology, compassionate care and family well-being in a clean, comfortable and updated environment conveniently situated in the centre of Westview.
"We can always use more dental services in Powell River," says Evans. "This will help meet the community's growing needs."
The expansion is not just about adding new stores; it's also about improving the overall shopping environment. A new bus terminus has already been completed as part of the project's first phase.
"This new transit exchange puts buses in a more central and convenient location for customers," says Evans. "It offers four bus bays for improved connections, which benefits both shoppers and employees."
The expansion is expected to have a positive impact on the local job market.
"Winners and our other new tenants will be hiring, which will create more employment opportunities in the community. These jobs can be vital for families needing part-time or secondary incomes."
Community response to the expansion has been overwhelmingly positive, according to Evans.
"People are super-excited about Winners and the new food options. We're listening to what the community wants and working to provide a variety of retail and dining choices."
While challenges are inevitable in a project of this scale, such as updating an older building to meet new building codes, Evans remains optimistic.
"There's always something to overcome, especially with construction. But we're committed to making this a win-win for everyone."
As for the long-term vision, the focus remains on meeting the needs of qathet region residents.
"Our goal is to bring in retailers that the town needs and make our space more vibrant," explains Evans. "We're seeing increased interest from other national brands as well."
Phase two of the project, scheduled for next year, will focus on the interior of the mall.
Residents can stay updated on the project's progress through Powell River Town Centre's website (prtowncentre.com), as well as its Instagram (instagram.com/powellrivertowncentre) and Facebook (facebook.com/PowellRiverTownCentre) pages.
“We keep our updates current with construction news and announcements.”
