A artist rendering of "The Carlyle" development in Grand Bend. Image provided to Sarnia News Today by John Knifton.A artist rendering of "The Carlyle" development in Grand Bend. Image provided to Sarnia News Today by John Knifton.
Sarnia

Grand Bend development set to open this summer

A retail and residential development along Grand Bend's main strip will open this summer as construction work on another project begins.

JK Development has been working with Copia Developments on two large projects called "The Carlyle" and "The Tides".

JK Development Managing Partner John Knifton said despite some challenges, "The Carlyle" is expected to open on time in July.

"There's a lot of challenges right now in the construction industry in terms of getting materials and getting labourers," he said. "It's been very, very difficult but we've managed to push our way through the pandemic."

"The CarIyle" is located on Main Street near the Colonial Hotel. Knifton said interior work is currently underway.

"The second floor of the building has been poured, which is also the roof of the retail portion of the building," he said. "We are starting on interior work of retail, and we are starting on the construction of the residential units above that on the second and third floors of the building."

While "The Carlyle" is expected to open this summer, construction on "The Tides" is expected to begin later in the summer.

Knifton said they're still going through construction drawings for "The Tides" building, which will be located on the former Coco's property.

Once construction begins, work will not affect traffic on the strip as fences will be erected to contain the site.

Knifton said Grand Bend's main strip currently resembles a street in downtown Toronto as it's full of construction, however, a lot of commercial activity is a good sign.

"It's a sign that the economy is doing well, people are out working, and people are getting ready for the summer. It's going to be very interesting."

He said "The Tides" is expected to be complete sometime in 2023.

With files from Melanie Irwin

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