There are plans afoot for a Walmart at the north end of Fergus.
It’s a topic that’s been on the minds of residents for some time, and certainly a topic that’s the buzz of local coffee shops. The issue was broached late last week during the mayor’s breakfast with the chamber of commerce.
In an email to the Wellington Advertiser, Centre Wellington Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj confirmed Smart Centres has submitted a site application to the township.
“They are applying for a 95,000 square foot structure and the property is zoned by the former Town of Fergus for 125,000 square feet,” she said.
Township Planner Brett Salmon said, “We have received a site plan application for a site in Fergus. The site is on the west side of St. David Street North, between Parkside Drive and Woodhill Drive.”
The site, on the west side of St. David Street North [Highway 6] is opposite the new St. Joseph Catholic Church currently under construction.
Salmon clarified the site is about 8.5 acres in size and the existing zoning allows approximately 110,000 square feet of retail space.
“The application includes a department store of about 95,000 square feet plus about 15,000 square feet of space in other buildings. The plans show the 95,000 square foot store to be a Walmart,” Salmon noted.
There is no particular user or tenant specified for the other buildings.
Salmon added “Because the site is already zoned for the proposed use, there are no zoning changes required. The application we have received is for site plan approval.”
This involves a review of detailed plans for the site layout and parking, road access, grading and drainage, servicing, landscaping and lighting. The authority for site plan approval rests with township staff.
“The process can take as little as a month, but often three or four months or more is needed for a more complex proposal such as this,” Salmon said. “It depends on the quality of the submission we receive and how responsive the applicant is to the township staff and consultant comments.”
He added “To the best of my knowledge they haven’t specified a start date for construction.”
Township planning coordinator Chantalle Pellizzari added the application was submitted by Fergus Shopping Centres Limited on Jan. 19.
Overall, the project represents a $20-million investment into the community and, if all goes well, construction could begin this year.
It is anticipated the new Walmart will be similar to the one at the north end of Guelph, with a full grocery section, drug store and department store – but on a smaller scale.
The move fits in with Walmart’s overall plans to open 40 new super centres across Canada this year, both by building new stores and renovating and expanding others.
