The City of Timmins planning department is reviewing a site plan submitted by First Pro Shopping Centres to develop a $12-million Wal-Mart in the city. Pending municipal approval, the developer plans to build a 4.5-hectare commercial development, encompassing a 9,000-square-foot superstore, which will employ about 200 full- and part-time staff. Following opposition to the big box development, the company scaled down its original proposal to invest $30 million to build 230,000-square-feet of retail space. The developer plans to begin construction in July and has targetted December for a completion date, for a January 2003 opening.
