We have hit our top-five stories of 2020 and at number five is a land deal four years in the making for the City of Moose Jaw

The city announced on November 10th that the retail giant has removed conditions from the agreement with the city and are satisfied with all "due diligence relating to the acquisition, servicing, development, sustainability and feasibility" for the new store on Thatcher Drive East.

This agreement has been a long-time coming for the city.

Negations began between the two parties in 2016 and a deal was finalized in December of 2019 worth $3.1 million for 11.95 acres of land near the exhibition grounds.

Construction was expected to begin in late 2020, but Canadian Tire came to the city in April asking for a one-year extension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The initial Revival and Amending Agreement included a $200,000 deposit, which was rejected by Canadian Tire.

"A few months ago, Canadian Tire was reconsidering this deal due to the COVID pandemic. We tried to salvage the deal and Council almost rejected the deal as well, but cooler heads prevailed and we are very excited that both parties were able to come to this agreement," said Mayor Fraser Tolmie.

Councillor Crystal Froese talked about the importance of the project at a city council meeting.

"Here is an opportunity from Canadian Tire that can maybe come at the most appropriate time after we see our way through to the other side of this (pandemic) that will bring construction jobs to our city to help employ more people. They are a well-established, very good community partner already," she said.

The agreement came before city council a second time and the deposit condition were removed in order to save the deal.