Shelley and Rod Bradshaw (right, centre) with the Innisfail Growers Group represent one of 11 investors who are part of the Red Deer County indoor market project. Shelley spoke at an open house in Gasoline Alley on Saturday. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

boosting local growers

Indoor market at Gasoline Alley could open by October

Feb 24, 2020 | 12:00 AM

A 25,000-square-foot indoor farmers’ market in Gasoline Alley could open as soon as October if all the pieces fall into place.

On Saturday, around 150 people turned out to an open house to hear from some of the project’s eleven investors.

The indoor market will be located in a new building set to be constructed on Laura Avenue, across the street from Trail Appliances and Cam Clark Ford. The plan is to be open every Saturday and Sunday year-round, and feature at least 48 vendors, as well as six kitchens, a food court, and mezzanine area for social events.

“For ourselves, we went from doing seasonal markets to doing a year-round market in Calgary, and it was a tremendous boost for our farm,” said Shelley Bradshaw, one of the project’s investors with the Innisfail Growers Group.

“For the Innisfail growers that we work with, I’m hoping this will help them — especially some of the smaller vendors who will have to work together — to incubate and grow and be prosperous, and that’s why we want to focus on central Alberta producers.”

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The market’s floor plan shown here includes a food court, kitchens and bar/taproom on one end, with 48 vendor spaces and a play room for children in the centre portion, and storage/refrigeration on the other side. (Supplied)

Bradshaw, who owns Beck Farms with husband Rod, admits there are kinks that need working out, including accommodating seasonal vendors. Some in attendance at the open house asked about security, but were ensured with confidence that won’t be a big issue.

Bradshaw also believes the impact on the summertime Red Deer Market will be minimal, with many vendors likely to be part of both.

Another unique feature planned for the building be a section with extended hours during the work week. Red Hart Brewing owner Andrew Wiebe shared that they’ll be opening a second taproom there.

“We’ve needed something like this for a long time. (Red Deer County) Mayor (Jim) Wood said it best that the agricultural products we’ve got growing in this area are some of the best in the world,” said Wiebe. “Being along this corridor and close to Costco, for people coming in on the weekend from outlying communities, they can maybe stop by the farmer’s market and get some locally grown produce. It’s an ideal location and it’s super exciting.”

Wiebe noted that arrangements have been made so market staff can park off-site, meaning the 200 on-site parking spots will be available for customers.

A rendering shows what an eating and drinking area may look like inside the Red Deer County indoor market, which could open this fall.

Red Deer County Business Development Officer Tara March says the municipality is excited about the market and happy to promote it, but is not contributing financially.”

“Just shy of three years ago, we went out to the community and met with local producers and residents,” said March. “We talked with them about different ag initiatives, and an indoor market was really high on that list. We presented that to council, who then made it a strategic priority.”

The market did not need approval from County council because it is a permitted use in the area, March added.

A second open house is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 25 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Red Deer County offices.