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.
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.
Scott Builders navigated multiple layers of complexity throughout the project:
Untested Ground: As the first Shantz Village project, the team faced unknowns around zoning, site servicing, and setback requirements.
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.
COVID-19 Disruptions: Health restrictions, workforce limitations, and shifting supply chains emerged mid-project, requiring rapid adaptation.
To stay on track, Scott Builders applied a range of proactive strategies:
Quick Approvals: Early coordination with town officials and BCW Architects helped secure zoning variances without delay.
Winter Work Plans: The team used ground heaters, temporary enclosures, and strategic scheduling to continue work through cold weather.
Design-Build Efficiency: Overlapping design and construction phases allowed for nimble decision-making and progress despite pandemic curveballs.
Transparent Communication: Regular check-ins with the client maintained alignment and minimized rework.
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:
Economic Impact: The store created 50–60 permanent jobs and helped energize the local economy with support from regional trades and suppliers.
Design Flexibility: The layout supports easy future conversion or repurposing - in fact, it later transitioned to a Save-On-Foods, maximizing long-term value.
Momentum Builder: As the first project in Shantz Village, its success gave developers and town leadership confidence in further investment.
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.
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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