Family fun marks Canadian Tire grand opening

Store hosts four-day event to draw customers to Nanaimo North Town Centre location.

Stephane Pilon, Nanaimo Canadian Tire store general manager, lends a hand hanging flower baskets ahead of today’s grand opening.

Stephane Pilon, Nanaimo Canadian Tire store general manager, lends a hand hanging flower baskets ahead of today’s grand opening.

Customers will be landing more than bargains at Canadian Tire’s grand opening for its new store at Nanaimo North Town Centre.

Staff have pulled out all the stops to create a four-day community event, complete with an on-site trout fishing derby Saturday (April 26) where staff have cleared space for a giant pool stocked with more than 300 rainbow trout.

“It’s for kids age five to 12 for younger ages,” said Stephane Pilon, store general manager. “But we won’t disallow older kids of, say, 32-years-old. They can certainly try.”

The 22,000-square metre store – the Island’s largest Canadian Tire – kicked off its grand opening this morning (April 24).

Boating clubs, Nanaimo Search and Rescue, Timbermen lacrosse teams and other groups will be fundraising for charities and promoting community sports and organizations.

The store is promoting its sporting goods Pro Shop which stocks hunting, fishing and marine equipment. Customers can win a four-hour fishing trip included among grand opening prizes.

“If you come to our store you should be tickled somewhat by the events and your wallet should be tickled somewhat by the sales,” Pilon said.

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Nanaimo News Bulletin