Sport Chek pulls out of Edmonton City Centre as mall highlights 'significant safety issues'
One of the biggest tenants in Edmonton City Centre (ECC) mall is closing its doors for good.
Sport Chek and Atmosphere will close permanently on March 12.
When reached for comment, the company did not provide a reason for the store closing.
Sean Kirk, ECC general manager, told CTV News Edmonton he’s disappointed by the news, adding the mall's ownership group has spent hundreds of millions of dollars in downtown Edmonton, but is hesitant to invest more because of safety issues.
“The significant safety issues we have had to endure to-date has exacerbated the already difficult pandemic loss of tenancies and workers. We have no confidence to make any new material investments in ECC until we see a concerted and sustained effort to improve existing conditions,” he said in a written statement.
“Simply put, the current state of downtown Edmonton and perceived lack of urgency from different levels of government is hindering hundreds of millions of dollars in future investments from organizations such as ours."
The news comes the same day the province says it has delivered on a promise to spend $5 million on the downtown core.
The City of Edmonton received $4 million and has promised more live events, promotion, graffiti removal, cleaning, and snow removal.
The other million went to the Downtown Business Association, which will be used for beautification, start-up expenses for retail, pop-up retail spaces and marketing.
The province also cited its social issues task force and money for improved access to services addressing addictions and homelessness as proof of its performance in downtown Edmonton.
The NDP says the government’s support is too little, too late.
“Downtown Edmonton continues to struggle with high office vacancy rates, a lack of vibrancy, and concerns about safety,” said MLA David Shepherd in a news release.
“This funding was promised in the budget, but is only being delivered now — almost a year later — and is a fraction of what is required to support the revitalization of the city’s core.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.