The huge shopping mall projects at the Tsawwassen First Nation are still on schedule to open in late 2015.
That's the assurance from TFN Chief Bryce Williams and TFN Economic Development Corporation president Chris Hartman as site preparation work continues for the massive centres.
"We're currently just working on the draining process and finalizing some of the last details," said Williams.
Hartman noted over the past few months crews have been busy bringing in fill, which is now in the process of settling. More filling is expected again this fall, he explained.
Meanwhile, the longstanding issue of sewer and water servicing remains unresolved, something that obviously has to be rectified soon if the malls are to open on time.
This year Delta council endorsed a position that not only will the municipality not participate in ongoing sewer discussions between the TFN and Metro Vancouver, but also that a five-year interim sewer agreement that had initially been reached between Delta and the First Nation no longer be pursued.
Delta also rejected a TFN proposal that would have transferred control of Delta's main line to Metro Vancouver.
Noting they are still working with regional district, Williams said this week there are currently no talks with Delta but that they hope to begin discussions soon with the municipality. However, the TFN is keeping all its options open, including constructing its
own wastewater treatment plant.
Earlier this year, the First Nation issued a request for qualifications for firms interested in building a sewage treatment plant. According to the TFN, the value of the construction and design work is approximately $10 million to $20 million.
The TFN, through provincial legislation, became a member of Metro Vancouver's water district last year, but the Corporation of Delta has been insisting it doesn't have the pipe capacity to accommodate the First Nation's growth plans.
It's been a couple of years since the TFN announced it had entered into agreements with Ivanhoe Cambridge and Property Development Group to develop almost
1.8 million square feet of shopping and office space on 72 hectares (180 acres) just off Highway 17 at 52nd Street.
Ivanhoe Cambridge's project would comprise 1.2 million square feet as a destination retail and entertainment centre. Called Tsawwassen Mills, it would follow the model of the huge CrossIron Mills shopping mall north of Calgary and Vaughan Mills north of Toronto.
Property Development Group is planning to develop an outdoor retail mall comprising 550,000 square feet called Tsawwassen Commons.
On another front, construction has already begun on the early phases of residential developments at the TFN, which will add about 4,300 residents when completed.
