Massive shopping complex proposed for Dundurn

A massive shopping complex is being proposed for a small town south of Saskatoon that's projected to create 1,000 jobs and house 350 businesses.

It's being called the Dundurn International Exhibition Centre.

Brightenview Development International Inc., a company that calls itself a leader in real estate, is behind the project.

The projectwould act as a showroom for Chinese companies selling building materials and home decor items, so retail companies such as Home Depot and Wal-Mart could take a look at the latest products and order them wholesale.

Regular shoppers would also have the chance to buy items factory-direct.

The shopping centre would cover 607,028 square meters of land just outside of Dundurn, which is located 40 kilometres southof Saskatoon. It would behome to 350 Chinese businesses.

The company's website said it chose Dundurn becauseit's close to Saskatoon and Regina,next to the highwayand has access to utilities such as natural gas and water.

The Mayor of Dundurn, Doug Narraway, told CBC News he's excited about the project.

"It means that we're going to grow," said Narraway. "It's a big project and it'll be very good for the town."

CBC News was told there are similar businesscomplexesin many places inChina, but this would bethe first of its kind in Canada.

"I'm feeling 100 per cent sure that they're legit," said Narraway. "We have had several meetings with them and they're very up front with what they want to do and yeah, this is big business."

Brightenview officialsheld a town hall meeting in Dundurn this week.

Narraway said the developmentis projected to create 1,000 jobs. Constructionwouldstart in the spring and take about 18 months to finish.

Brightenviewofficials declined tocomment Friday,sayingthe company wasplanning a news conference for January.