APM Group breaks ground for N.B. Shopping centre

Charlottetown -- APM, Prince Edward Island's largest commercial development firm, is hosting a sod turning ceremony today marking the official beginning of work on a major expansion at a Shopping Centre In Tracadie-Sheila, New Brunswick.

In 2002, APM acquired the 90,000 sq.ft. LeRond Point Shopping Centre. In 2003, it began site development and renovations to the mall that will add almost 70,000 sq.ft. of retail space in the town. The overall cost for all phases of the project is estimated at over $10 million.

"We have been working on this project for a number of years and are very pleased to bring it to realization," says Tim Banks, President of APM. "Tracadie-Sheila is an important commercial hub in this region of New Brunswick. We have enjoyed the cooperation of many business people in the area such as Michael Lebans of Tim Hortons; Frankie Benoit of Capitane Frank; Paul Vautier of ReMax Bathurst Realty; Denise Savoie, Denis Savoie and Glenda Wade of Fleuriste Leonard; Fernand Maillet of Dixie Lee; Vicky Benoit and Aldeo Poirier. With this kind of business community working together, this area will see real growth in investment, jobs and choice for consumers."

Aside from major changes to the Shopping Centre, APM will be constructing a new Tim Hortons and a new 68,000 sq.ft. Atlantic SuperStore on the site, both set to open early in the new year. Using local workers and materials will be a top priority for APM during construction, furthering the local economy. Other spin-offs have already occurred in the form of new buildings for existing businesses such as the Fleuriste Leonard, Capitane Frank and the Dixie Lee Restaurant. Even more economic activity is expected in the future as a result of this development, including the creation of 50-75 new jobs.

"The Town of Tracadie-Sheila has been very positive throughout the planning stage of this project, in particular Mayor Raymond Losier and Town Administrator Joey Losier," says Mr. Banks. "We believe the experience we've had here will be a springboard for our company to continue growing throughout this region. There is a great amount of interest from national retailers in locating their outlets in this area."

APM is a vertically integrated commercial development company offering property development, design, project management, construction, building supplies, store fixtures, ornamental metals, signage, retail décor and property leasing. It employs over 400 people throughout Canada.

For more information, please contact Brian Gillis at (902) 569-8400.