Prince Albert is the first home of a new design for SaskTel Stores.
On Monday morning, the Crown Corporation held a grand opening for their new SaskTel Store in the Yard District. President and CEO Charlene Gavel said that the company jumped at the opportunity to be in the new location.
“I think that this is such a great development and opportunity to start with the vision in an open space,” Gavel said. “It’s great to be able to have the vision come to fruition in terms of the accessibility, the different displays and how we can demonstrate the things that we’re able to sell and just accessibility for our customers to see what we have to offer.
“This space in this area is just beautiful. We’re very happy that we were able to secure this space and be here.”
Gavel said that the old location in Gateway Mall had become dated, and the new location also offered accessibility in terms of the parking lot and lights.
The new store is the first to feature SaskTel’s new retail design concept. Featuring interactive displays, spacious serving areas, and other innovative amenities.
Another unique feature is having artwork depicting lakes from the area and the North.
Gavel said SaskTel’s new Prince Albert store will serve as a blueprint for all future remodels and is designed to allow for customers to comfortably shop.
Design features of the new store include the Interactive Home area, Wireless Centre and Newly designed consultation stations. The service area features new consultation stations where customers have the freedom to sit or stand alongside SaskTel staff.
The new store concept was purposefully designed to remove the barriers that those with accessibility challenges are faced with. The store features portable furniture in a variety of heights, sit-stand workstations, and linear displays that allow products to be displayed at easier to reach heights.
Additionally, the store has lower lighting levels and matte finishing on counters to reduce the reflectivity of surface.
The event did not have a ribbon cutting instead people were invited to tour the new store.
Speakers at the event included Mayor Greg Dionne and Athabasca MLA Jim Lemaigre.
The new store opened on July 2, but the event served as a grand opening.
The first business to open in The Yard was The Holiday Inn, which invited the public in just before last Christmas.
“This is one of our newest areas, The Yard District,” Dionne said during his remarks.
Dionne also pointed to the work on the nearby twin-pad hockey arena and aquatic centre that will be operated by the City of Prince Albert.
“As you can see, we have our new pool and rinks over there and soon be announcing our new Event Centre,” he said.
michael.oleksyn@paherald.sk.ca
