Anyone hoping to fill up their gas tank or get a double-double on the double at the Campbell Park Esso/Tim Hortons may have to wait until October.
“It was supposed to open in the spring. Now we are targeting October,” said Jas Dugal, whose family owns Campbell Liquor Store.
Previously, the Dugals owned the Red Rooster store on Hebert Road. They sold that business in 1992 and opened Campbell Liquor Store soon afterwards. They have owned the location for the new gas station for approximately 20 years.
Their research shows that between 8,000 and 10,000 cars drive by the spot on the corner of Carnegie Drive and Corriveau Avenue.
“Servus Credit Union Place alone serves between 2,000 and 3,000 vehicles per day and we anticipate that, once Anthony Henday Drive and 167 Avenue open up, we will have even more traffic,” Dugal said.
Construction on the gas station began in October 2010 but there have been constant delays caused by weather.
“To put it mildly, it has been overwhelming. The early fall, the large amount of snow and finally the rain in June slowed up everything,” Dugal said.
The biggest problem and delay came in June when the gas tanks came out of the ground, which had become a quagmire because of all the rain. Cranes have been on and off site lifting the tanks in and out of position.
“We still have to bury the tanks and we have to complete the curbs and paving,” Dugal said.
Once complete, the store portion will be 4,000 square feet, with half devoted to an Esso On the Run convenience store and the other half to a Tim Hortons restaurant, operated by the Jenkins family, who own several Tim Hortons stores in the area.
“The gas station will have four pumps. The Tim Hortons will be a drive-thru but it will also be a full restaurant,” Dugal said, adding, “It has been hard for both of us because, as we’re delayed, Tim Hortons is delayed too. “
The site is dry now and after testing is complete, the tanks will be put back into the ground in about three weeks.
