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Winnipeg Free Press
14 hours ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Costco gets go-ahead to take next step toward West St. Paul store
Costco Wholesale Corp. has received the green light to move ahead with a new 162,000-square-foot store in the Rural Municipality of West St. Paul following a June public hearing. It comes amid steady growth in the area. 'It's a really good location,' said West St. Paul Mayor Peter Truijen. A construction timeline wasn't available Monday. The location will be Costco's first in north Winnipeg. MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS FILES A new Costco location is going ahead in West St. Paul. A seasonal garden centre, eatery, auto service station and more than 1,000 parking stalls will be part of the development. The U.S.-based multinational retailer has claimed a 21-acre site south of the Perimeter Highway and west of Main Street. It's part of Meadowlands, one of two developments under construction in West St. Paul. Meadowlands — spanning 380 acres — will include 2,036 homes once completed, according to Winnipeg-based developer United Equities Group. Exemplar Developments, another Winnipeg company, is also developing the land. Demand has been 'extremely strong,' said Warren Greenspoon, chief executive of United Equities Group. Construction on Parkview Pointe, on the other side of the Perimeter, is also ongoing. West St. Paul has logged an average of 240 houses built per year since 2022, Truijen said, adding he is expecting another 300 to be constructed this year. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Two new developments — aside from Meadowlands and Parkview Pointe — are also in the works, Truijen said. McDonald's and Costco are the first brands announced for Meadowlands. Winnipeg currently has three Costcos: on Regent Avenue, McGillivray Boulevard and St. James Street. Another store, at 4077 Portage Ave., is currently being built. — Free Press staff
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Future of the underground concourse weighs on biz owners' minds
Amid the fanfare surrounding the reopening of Portage Avenue and Main Street to pedestrians, questions remain about the future of the underground concourse and the businesses in it. The Portage and Main Circus has many shops and restaurants and is connected to a larger underground network downtown. The concourse has a leaky membrane that no longer protects it from above ground moisture. The cost of repairing it is estimated at $73 million, said Mayor Scott Gillingham. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Haley Yurman, brand and marketing leader for Empty Cup, holds up a sign reminding people that the business still exists in the Circus. Speaking to reporters after opening the street-level crossing, he stressed a decision has not yet been made over whether the circus will remain open or be fully or partially closed. City officials are awaiting for engineering reports and consultations with business owners, he said. 'The underground concourse will not close anytime soon. We are still doing some work related to that,' Gillingham said. The mayor said reintroducing pedestrian traffic to the intersection will not have a negative impact on the businesses below ground. 'There's still winter months coming… I believe that people will still frequent businesses below grade.' Kate Fenske, CEO of Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, echoed that sentiment. 'They have their long-term customers, and (the underground) is still a critical piece of infrastructure that allows connectivity,' She said. 'We've actually heard from workers and property owners, the businesses there, that it is so important it stays open… and I think there are going to be options to look at that.' Haley Yurman, brand and marketing leader at Empty Cup, said she's not concerned. The Winnipeg-based coffee shop has a location in the underground concourse. 'It's good for business to have more people out and about downtown,' she said. Yurman and her colleagues joined a crowd celebrating the reopening of the intersection. They carried signs that read 'Still brewing one level down' in large, capital letters. Harveer Chahal and Murtaza Mehdi were among the customers who stopped by the coffee shop as the crowd gathered above. Both men work in a high-rise linked to the underground circus and shop at the stores multiple times a week. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Business owner Eric Chi said he expects little impact to his business because most of his customers come from the buildings and companies attached to the underground mall. 'We don't really go outside,' Chahal said. 'We get our food, coffee, A&W sometimes, or sushi. It's much safer here, I'd say, compared to outside.' Wednesdays Sent weekly from the heart of Turtle Island, an exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences. Business owner Eric Chi said he expects little impact to his business because most of his customers come from the buildings and companies attached to the underground mall. Chi has sold sushi and snacks from his store, Eshel Tree, in the underground for more than one year. He signed a five-year contract with the city, and was told at the time there was no immediate plan to close the concourse. Since then, rumours and speculation have been swirling among business owners in the underground concourse, as they await news on whether the city plans to keep it open or shut it for good, he said. 'Of course it's concerning, but I just want to know as soon as possible so that I can take my next step,' he said. 'Whichever decision (the city) makes, I support it. I'm not against the decision, my only hope is they decide something for the better, for the community,' he said. Tyler SearleReporter Tyler Searle is a multimedia producer who writes for the Free Press's city desk. A graduate of Red River College Polytechnic's creative communications program, he wrote for the Stonewall Teulon Tribune, Selkirk Record and Express Weekly News before joining the paper in 2022. Read more about Tyler. Every piece of reporting Tyler produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
23-06-2025
- Climate
- Winnipeg Free Press
Northern court delays could continue to snowball
Ongoing wildfires, evacuations and smoky conditions have caused circuit courts to cancel hearings and appearances in a slate of northern communities. The resulting backlog could spell trouble for people in custody, or those under court-imposed bail conditions, as they await resolutions for their cases. 'Given the (Canadian justice) system is based on the notion that you are innocent until proven guilty and you're entitled to trial within a reasonable time, our concern is always with the people who are in custody,' said Winnipeg-based criminal defence lawyer David Phillips, who represents some clients in Manitoba's north. 'These wildfires have now (affected) a lot of consecutive sittings in many communities… If you've got a community that's evacuated, you're going to miss a lot of court and it takes a long time to get people back and get things up and running.' Public notices from the Provincial Court of Manitoba indicate between June 2 and June 20, closures affected the communities of Nelson House, Norway House, Gillam, Gods Lake Narrows, Leaf Rapids, Split Lake, Cross Lake, Flin Flon, Cranberry Portage, Pukatawagan, St. Theresa Point and Garden Hill. Court dates in some other communities — including Poplar River, Little Grand Rapids and Pauingassi First Nation — have also been postponed, owing to smoky conditions or lack of transportation, Phillips said. Cancellations due to weather or other factors are not uncommon, but the longer they persist, the worse the situation becomes, he said. The full extent of the backlog is difficult to estimate, but Phillips said the issue could potentially 'snowball' because many northern courts already have limited days on which they operate. While sitting days differ based on the size and need in various communities, some operate as frequently as once every few months. Larger communities sit more often, and will therefore have larger backlogs, he said. If communities suffer damage to electric power lines or other critical infrastructure, the delays could extend despite evacuation orders being lifted, he said. 'Once the courts reopen, you've got this enormous backlog, yet, the court still only has a certain amount of resources, you can still only go to these communities a certain number of days a year,' Phillips said. 'The system really is backlogged for a significant period of time, after you have extended cancellations.' People who are already out on bail and awaiting future court appearances will also be affected. Many of those people are subject to release conditions that will remain in effect until their cases proceed. Those conditions may include non-contact orders, curfews and orders prohibiting them from returning to specific locations, including their home communities, Phillips said. 'They are usually anxious to try and deal with their cases as soon as possible because they are under these rather stringent conditions,' he said. 'You get in situations where these people end up breaching.' Premier Wab Kinew announced Monday the provincewide state of emergency imposed May 28 was lifted. Some wildfire evacuees have already returned to their homes, and thousands more are expected to be on their way back to northwestern Manitoba over the coming days. Tyler SearleReporter Tyler Searle is a multimedia producer who writes for the Free Press's city desk. A graduate of Red River College Polytechnic's creative communications program, he wrote for the Stonewall Teulon Tribune, Selkirk Record and Express Weekly News before joining the paper in 2022. Read more about Tyler. Every piece of reporting Tyler produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Cision Canada
17-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
TPC Development Corporation Announces Major Investment and Executive Expansion to Grow The Picklr Across Canada, Starting in Winnipeg
WINNIPEG, MB, June 17, 2025 /CNW/ - TPC Development Corporation, the exclusive Canadian Master Franchisor of The Picklr (excluding Quebec), is proud to announce a significant expansion of its investor group and leadership team, alongside a multimillion-dollar infusion of growth capital to power its national rollout. The Picklr is North America's fastest-growing indoor pickleball franchise, offering state-of-the-art courts, organized leagues, pro-level coaching, and a vibrant club atmosphere for players of all ages and skill levels. With over 500 locations in development across the U.S., Canada, Japan and elsewhere internationally, it's redefining how communities experience the sport. With a goal of opening 65 Picklr clubs across Canada by 2031, TPC will build on the franchise model that is already flourishing across the United States. The Canadian strategy emphasizes local sourcing of materials, unlimited membership and interclub access, tailored indoor programming, corporate events and partnerships with major commercial and industrial developers, with curated community experiences. Winnipeg is set to make history as the first Canadian city to welcome The Picklr in October 2025. The south Winnipeg Picklr will be located on Kenaston Boulevard at the crossroads of major retail, business and residential communities, bringing a world-class, purpose-built pickleball facility to the heart of the Prairies. With 10 courts, including 2 Championship courts, The Picklr is putting Winnipeg at the forefront of one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. This milestone includes the addition of new Canadian partners with proven track records in entrepreneurship, real estate development, marketing, technology, and professional and youth sports. Leading the equity round is Greg Fettes, a Winnipeg-based entrepreneur and founder of IntouchCX, a global customer experience and technology company with more than 25,000 employees across North America, Europe, and Asia. Fettes also serves as Chairman and Founder of Play Ventures, an investment vehicle focused on sports and community-driven experiences. Play Ventures' portfolio includes Play Hockey Inc., one of North America's largest youth hockey tournament organizers, and Play Pickle Inc., a company dedicated to growing the sport of pickleball in Canada. Fettes immediately joins TPC as Executive Chair. "I've become an enthusiastic supporter and pickleball player, and I see the massive opportunity available to The Picklr to empower Canadian entrepreneurs to bring this incredibly fun, fast-growing sport to communities from coast to coast," said Fettes. "With our first club opening in Q4 in my hometown of Winnipeg, I couldn't be more excited to help lead this expansion and build the pickleball community across Canada." Joining the executive team as President is Rob Lloyd, a fellow Winnipeg native who spent over two decades in senior roles at Cisco Systems in Canada, Europe, and Silicon Valley—most recently as President of Worldwide Sales and Engineering, leading a 40,000-person team. Lloyd also serves as Executive Chair of a professional sports organization managing a network of 24 franchised teams across North America. "Canada is ready for a premium, purpose-built, nation-wide pickleball experience," said Lloyd. "The Pickleball Canada team has the vision, experience, and energy to deliver it—and we're proud to start right here in Winnipeg, with other key markets already in development." The expanded TOC senior leadership team includes: - Mark Arndt, Chief Development Officer – 20+ years developing world-class indoor soccer and tennis facilities and operating an international professional tennis event - David Formal, Director of Franchise Sales, with 25+ years of franchise development experience - Mark Lloyd, Territory Sales Director – 5+ years managing franchise team relationships and national sponsorships across Canada and the U.S. - Troy Buchanan, Senior Vice president, Colliers, Canadian Master Broker The Picklr Canada - Daria Lukie, Associate, Colliers, Master Broker The Picklr Canada About TPC Development Corporation TPC Development Corporation is the exclusive Canadian Master Franchisor (excluding Quebec) for The Picklr, the premier indoor pickleball franchise in North America. TPC is focused on building a national network of high-quality indoor clubs, delivering exceptional franchise opportunities and community-first pickleball experiences across Canada. Founded in Utah, The Picklr is North America's fastest-growing indoor pickleball franchise, with more than 500 clubs in development. The Picklr offers professional-grade courts, leagues, lessons, tournaments, and a vibrant club atmosphere for players of all levels.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
TPC Development Corporation Announces Major Investment and Executive Expansion to Grow The Picklr Across Canada, Starting in Winnipeg
WINNIPEG, MB, June 17, 2025 /CNW/ - TPC Development Corporation, the exclusive Canadian Master Franchisor of The Picklr (excluding Quebec), is proud to announce a significant expansion of its investor group and leadership team, alongside a multimillion-dollar infusion of growth capital to power its national rollout. The Picklr is North America's fastest-growing indoor pickleball franchise, offering state-of-the-art courts, organized leagues, pro-level coaching, and a vibrant club atmosphere for players of all ages and skill levels. With over 500 locations in development across the U.S., Canada, Japan and elsewhere internationally, it's redefining how communities experience the sport. With a goal of opening 65 Picklr clubs across Canada by 2031, TPC will build on the franchise model that is already flourishing across the United States. The Canadian strategy emphasizes local sourcing of materials, unlimited membership and interclub access, tailored indoor programming, corporate events and partnerships with major commercial and industrial developers, with curated community experiences. Winnipeg is set to make history as the first Canadian city to welcome The Picklr in October 2025. The south Winnipeg Picklr will be located on Kenaston Boulevard at the crossroads of major retail, business and residential communities, bringing a world-class, purpose-built pickleball facility to the heart of the Prairies. With 10 courts, including 2 Championship courts, The Picklr is putting Winnipeg at the forefront of one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. This milestone includes the addition of new Canadian partners with proven track records in entrepreneurship, real estate development, marketing, technology, and professional and youth sports. Leading the equity round is Greg Fettes, a Winnipeg-based entrepreneur and founder of IntouchCX, a global customer experience and technology company with more than 25,000 employees across North America, Europe, and Asia. Fettes also serves as Chairman and Founder of Play Ventures, an investment vehicle focused on sports and community-driven experiences. Play Ventures' portfolio includes Play Hockey Inc., one of North America's largest youth hockey tournament organizers, and Play Pickle Inc., a company dedicated to growing the sport of pickleball in Canada. Fettes immediately joins TPC as Executive Chair. "I've become an enthusiastic supporter and pickleball player, and I see the massive opportunity available to The Picklr to empower Canadian entrepreneurs to bring this incredibly fun, fast-growing sport to communities from coast to coast," said Fettes. "With our first club opening in Q4 in my hometown of Winnipeg, I couldn't be more excited to help lead this expansion and build the pickleball community across Canada." Joining the executive team as President is Rob Lloyd, a fellow Winnipeg native who spent over two decades in senior roles at Cisco Systems in Canada, Europe, and Silicon Valley—most recently as President of Worldwide Sales and Engineering, leading a 40,000-person team. Lloyd also serves as Executive Chair of a professional sports organization managing a network of 24 franchised teams across North America. "Canada is ready for a premium, purpose-built, nation-wide pickleball experience," said Lloyd. "The Pickleball Canada team has the vision, experience, and energy to deliver it—and we're proud to start right here in Winnipeg, with other key markets already in development." The expanded TOC senior leadership team includes: - Mark Arndt, Chief Development Officer – 20+ years developing world-class indoor soccer and tennis facilities and operating an international professional tennis event - David Formal, Director of Franchise Sales, with 25+ years of franchise development experience - Mark Lloyd, Territory Sales Director – 5+ years managing franchise team relationships and national sponsorships across Canada and the U.S. - Troy Buchanan, Senior Vice president, Colliers, Canadian Master Broker The Picklr Canada - Daria Lukie, Associate, Colliers, Master Broker The Picklr Canada About TPC Development Corporation TPC Development Corporation is the exclusive Canadian Master Franchisor (excluding Quebec) for The Picklr, the premier indoor pickleball franchise in North America. TPC is focused on building a national network of high-quality indoor clubs, delivering exceptional franchise opportunities and community-first pickleball experiences across Canada. About The Picklr Founded in Utah, The Picklr is North America's fastest-growing indoor pickleball franchise, with more than 500 clubs in development. The Picklr offers professional-grade courts, leagues, lessons, tournaments, and a vibrant club atmosphere for players of all levels. SOURCE The Picklr Canada View original content: Sign in to access your portfolio
