Executive Summary: A Strategic Retail Anchor Delivered Ahead of Schedule
Scott Builders partnered with BCW Architects to deliver a 26,085 sq. ft. Buy-Low Foods grocery store on a 4.3-acre greenfield site in Didsbury, Alberta - the first major project in the town’s Shantz Village development. Despite winter conditions, evolving site needs, and COVID-19 disruptions, the team delivered the project ahead of schedule and within the expected budget range ($6.0M to $6.3M).
Led by Project Manager Andrew Tjepkema and Site Superintendent David Loades, the new store enhances local retail while supporting jobs, economic momentum, and long-term growth in the region.
Setting the Stage: A Greenfield Site with Big Potential
This new Buy-Low Foods location replaced an aging grocery store and became a central piece in the launch of Didsbury’s Shantz Village commercial hub. The single-story facility was designed with operational efficiency in mind, featuring large open spans, energy-efficient systems, and integrated refrigeration and HVAC infrastructure.
Working under a CCDC #14 Design-Build contract, Scott Builders collaborated closely with BCW Architects to maximize site usage and meet municipal planning requirements while positioning the project for future expansion opportunities.
Anticipating the Unknowns: Weather, Zoning, and a Pandemic
Scott Builders navigated multiple layers of complexity throughout the project:
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Untested Ground: As the first Shantz Village project, the team faced unknowns around zoning, site servicing, and setback requirements.
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Seasonal Constraints: With a November 2019 start date, the team had to mitigate the effects of Alberta’s winter on foundational work and materials handling.
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COVID-19 Disruptions: Health restrictions, workforce limitations, and shifting supply chains emerged mid-project, requiring rapid adaptation.
Fast-Track Delivery with Built-In Flexibility
To stay on track, Scott Builders applied a range of proactive strategies:
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Quick Approvals: Early coordination with town officials and BCW Architects helped secure zoning variances without delay.
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Winter Work Plans: The team used ground heaters, temporary enclosures, and strategic scheduling to continue work through cold weather.
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Design-Build Efficiency: Overlapping design and construction phases allowed for nimble decision-making and progress despite pandemic curveballs.
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Transparent Communication: Regular check-ins with the client maintained alignment and minimized rework.
A New Anchor for the Community
The Buy-Low Foods project was completed in January 2021, with the store opening to the public ahead of schedule in November 2020. The results speak to a well-managed, forward-looking development:
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Economic Impact: The store created 50–60 permanent jobs and helped energize the local economy with support from regional trades and suppliers.
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Design Flexibility: The layout supports easy future conversion or repurposing - in fact, it later transitioned to a Save-On-Foods, maximizing long-term value.
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Momentum Builder: As the first project in Shantz Village, its success gave developers and town leadership confidence in further investment.
Lasting Value Through Collaborative Delivery
The Didsbury Buy-Low Foods project illustrates what happens when strategic planning meets executional excellence. For Scott Builders, this wasn’t just a retail construction project - it was an opportunity to shape a community hub, solve complex challenges with agility, and showcase the power of design-build delivery.
Let’s Create What’s Next
Planning a commercial project with long-term community value? Scott Builders brings deep expertise, a collaborative mindset, and a proven track record of delivering on time, on budget - and beyond expectations.
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