A major renovation of Tim Hortons in 100 Mile House was approved at the Feb. 14 district council meeting.
Mayor Mitch Campsall says it is a “really good Valentine’s Day bonus” for the whole community, and council approved the development permit application by Tim Hortons head office (TDL Group Corp.)
The planned design includes a new facade, including stone-and-cement lap board siding, goose-neck lighting, awnings, signage and parapet features.
Significant interior renovations to the dining area and kitchen are also planned, but those upgrades don’t require a development permit.
“It’s a complete inside renovation. They’re looking at almost a half a million dollars,” the mayor notes.
It shows the big companies are looking at our community as “a good place to do business,” he adds.
While the original application also included a second drive-thru lane and order station, this aspect was withdrawn before it went to council.
Campsall says he believes the intention is to continue pursuing drive-thru modifications later, but due to an issue with Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure approval, the applicant removed it for the time being to continue with the momentum toward other renovations.
“We always think big businesses try to push stuff, but actually, it was unbelievable …. [The proponents] were so happy because it went so fast and it was so easy for them. There weren’t any games,” he explains.
“You go into a big city and it’s almost double or triple the length of time to get anything done.”
The mayor credits district staff and its connections within the provincial ministries.
“Our staff knows what they need, what has to be brought in and, bang! That’s why it goes through fast – they make it easy.”
The Tim Hortons corporate applicants also “couldn’t believe” how inexpensive the permit process was, Campsall says, adding “Doing business in 100 Mile is a good thing.”
No zoning or official community plan changes are required as the application meets current requirements for those, he explains, and the design fits in well with the overall look that is sought for the municipality.
“Economic development isn’t very good if you can’t get businesses working in our community, and you’ve got to make it easy for them to do business in our town, and that’s what we’ve done.”
