It is approaching three years since the former Pioneer Square Mall in Mill Bay became a pile of rubble and ash on May 27, 2022, but the new plans for development continue to be on a slow rise, like a phoenix. 

Limona Group, which was first founded in 1981, purchased the Pioneer Square property in 2019, which co-owner Baier said was the final parcel acquired as part of the master plan for their Mill Bay Stonebridge project.

Previous tenants had vacated the former retail centre by the end of 2020 due to the concerns of the Mill Bay Fire Department around the age of the building and the lack of fire suppression. Baier noted that since the fate of the former site was to be developed, at that time it didn't make financial sense to install a modern fire suppression system in a building that was originally built in the 1970s. Thankfully the firefighters who responded to the arson over two years ago kept the blaze contained.  

Community members can get fired up to know that future plans to develop a new commercial centre are in the works for the vacant site.

The size, look, and tenant mix of the future development has been actively under review for some time. Baier said the current development plan includes a new grocer, pharmacy, bakery, restaurants, retailers, a daycare, as well as a medical health centre with the intent to include two to three new family doctors.

B次元官网网址淲e have plans for a full commercial village, and are just waiting for Cowichan Valley Regional District to complete the zoning amendment so that we can proceed," said Baier. "There has been a positive response from the commercial community to the prospect of bringing new services and more competition to the area. Having greater selection will help reduce the need for residents to leave the area in search of what they need for their families.B次元官网网址�

Baier said Limona Group initiated the zoning amendment with the CVRD over a year ago with the hopes they would have broken ground and been building by now. At this point they are hoping for an early 2025 start.

"The entire project is already zoned but CVRD staff and ourselves decided to simplify the zoning in order to move and be flexible with changing real estate markets over time as this is a long term project," said Baier. "We are doing our best, and prospective tenants are already eager to be in Mill Bay."