Rezoning approved for new MEC store at 784 Sheppard Avenue East

Construction of MEC's second GTA store set to begin in April for a spring 2015 opening

TORONTO, Feb. 21, 2014 /CNW/ - MEC, a leading proponent of active outdoor lifestyles in Canada, has received rezoning approval for a second retail store in the GTA. Toronto City Council voted Wednesday in favour of rezoning 784 Sheppard Avenue East in North York to allow for a new 'mixed-use' development.

Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) plans to build a two-storey 44,000-square-foot 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.

"Clearly, Toronto City Council recognized the merit of our proposal and we greatly appreciate its approval of our rezoning application," said MEC CFO Sandy Treagus. "Our team has spent countless hours developing a proposal that meets the city's planning objectives for the site, and we are excited at the prospect of soon moving ahead with our plans."

MEC and Broccolini now await the City's approval of the site plan for the store and townhome developments as well as approval to sever the property into two separate parcels.

Construction of MEC's North York store and the townhomes will likely begin in April, with the store slated to open in spring 2015. It will be MEC's second store in the GTA, complementing the outdoor retailer's downtown location on King Street West.

MEC's new North York store will be accessible from the Macdonald Cartier Freeway (Highway 401) from either Bayview Avenue to the west or to the east from Leslie Street. The site is also well served by transit, being along the Sheppard Subway Line with Bessarion Station only 80 metres from where the entrance to the store will be located.

Of MEC's 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 live 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)