New MEC store one step closer following North York Community Council support

Rezoning recommendation moves active outdoor lifestyle support nearer to 100,000 members

TORONTO, Jan. 16, 2014 /CNW/ - MEC, a leading proponent of active outdoor lifestyles in Canada, is a step closer to establishing a second retail store in the GTA. North York Municipal Council recommended yesterday that the MEC-owned site at 784 Sheppard Avenue East be rezoned to allow for a new 'mixed-use' development.

Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) is proposing to build a two-storey 44,000-square-foot retail store fronting onto Sheppard Street and, together with Broccolini Construction, 50 units of stacked townhomes behind the new store on the north portion of the 0.786 hectare site.

North York Community Council's recommendation was provided yesterday to Toronto City Council, which will consider and vote on the rezoning application at its meeting on February 19.

"We are extremely pleased to have received the support of North York Municipal Council," said MEC CFO Sandy Treagus. MEC firmly believes that our proposal aligns with the city's planning objectives for the site, and we are optimistic that Toronto City Council will also see its merit and approve the rezoning."

Provincial and municipal planning frameworks designate the Sheppard Street site as suitable for a mixed-use development of the kind that MEC and Broccolini Construction submitted for review. The proposal also supports local transit objectives, as the site is near the Sheppard Subway Line across the street from Bessarion Station.

Parking would be provided underground through two separate garages that are connected by a common access ramp. The store garage would hold 125 car stalls; another 93 will be available for residents of the townhomes. Thirty-six bike parking stalls are proposed for the store.

Vehicle access to the site would be provided from Sheppard Avenue.

If approved, construction of MEC's North York store and the townhomes will begin in March. The store is estimated to open in spring 2015. It would be MEC's second store in the GTA, complementing the retailer's downtown location on King Street West.

Of MEC's more than 3.5 million members across Canada, more than 620,000 reside in the GTA, notes Sandy Treagus. "Ontarians are among the most active in this country, and more than 100,000 MEC members actually reside in the North York area. We are looking forward to supporting these members – and anyone interested in joining MEC – to help them gear up for any manner of recreation in the city, nearby parks or adventures further afield." A lifetime membership to MEC is only five dollars per person.

About MEC
A retail co-operative, MEC exists to encourage and inspire Canadians to live active outdoor lifestyles. From backcountry trails to city streets, MEC supports a range of outdoor activities, including climbing, hiking, camping, snowsports, watersports, cycling, running and yoga. Well known for selling high-quality well-designed products that offer great value, MEC employs outdoor enthusiasts who possess a strong service ethic to provide its members with an authentic and accessible customer experience. MEC has more than 3.5 million members across Canada, whom it serves through 17 stores in 6 provinces as well as www.mec.ca and the Shop MEC iPhone® app. Anyone can join MEC by purchasing a $5 individual lifetime membership.

SOURCE: Mountain Equipment Co-op

Tim Southam, Public Affairs Manager, [email protected], 604.561.4528 (mobile), 604.707.4480 (office); Nicolas Sirois, National Public Relations Coordinator, [email protected], 604.707.3369 (direct)