A First Nation in southern Saskatchewan says they will have a Tim Hortons in their community this spring.
Construction of the franchise is currently underway on the Little Black Bear First Nation in the Fort Qu’Appelle region. The Tim Hortons will be built alongside a Petro-Canada gas station just off of Highway 10.
Little Black Bear Chief Clarence Bellegarde says a Specific Claims Agreement signed in 1996 provided the band with the funds to purchase the land. In 2005, the band developed a strategic plan to develop a stronger economic framework for the community. Chief Bellegarde says they already owned the land and the two businesses seem to be a good fit.
“(The franchise) is going to bring revenue and employment in the community because it will bring 28 new employment opportunities to the community,” said the Little Black Bear Chief. “So it is actuality in two streams with both the employment opportunities for the members and the source revenue for the band.”
Construction on the building began in late November with both businesses are expected to be fully operational in May.
“Hopefully anybody who is in the area around May and June will stop in and have a coffee with us,” said Bellegarde.