The Bearspaw First Nation band is continuing its business ventures near the Stoney Nakoda Resort and Casino. Last spring, the band started construction of the Bearspaw Kananaskis Travel Centre and on Monday it signed contracts with a Tim Hortons franchise to be built next to it. "We've been working for a couple of years with the Tim Hortons people so we've finally got to the point where we're signing on. We'll be leasing the space, and we have a profit sharing arrangement with them," said Rob Shotclose, band CEO. The addition of the Tim Hortons has been in the making since 2015 when it was officially signed off and it completes the remaining three of eight acres allocated for the project. The site will also have an Esso gas station. The area is expected to be a hotspot for travellers along Highway 1 as it becomes one of the few and last food and gas stops before the B.C. border. The travel center, Esso gas station and Tim Hortons are expected to open in late summer or fall. Rob Shotclose estimated the budget for the project to be around $5 million. The percentage split of profit between the companies involved was not disclosed but administrators said the revenues going back to the band will be put back into the community as seen fit by chief and council. Shotclose said there could be up to 35 jobs created. The Bearspaw Nation boasts other successful business ventures including a Centex gas station and Subway in Morley's town centre. "We have grown in revenues each year since opening in December 2013 and we have been making a profit as well each year," Shotclose said. "This is just kind of the kick off, I think there's a lot more that can happen here, this is not the end at all. This is just the start for this site." Bearspaw Chief Darcy Dixon said he's excited for his band to continue building it's economy and connections with businesses. "I think the tribe and our membership is just happy that they're able to provide some sort of service back to the nation," Dixon said. "It's been a learning curve for the tribe but at the same time we're proud - proud of being in partnership with a group of people that we do business with."
