By Geoff Smith (@smithco on Twitter)

$4 million food court expansion underway at Park Place

Feb 27, 2017 | 10:42 AM

LETHBRIDGE – Hardly a day goes by when every table in the food court at Park Place isn’t occupied.

Now the owners of the downtown Lethbridge mall are working on the first major overhaul of the food court since it first opened. Construction has already begun on the $4 million renovation, which will nearly double the seating capacity, from 287 to more than 500.

“We’re investing in a complete overhaul of the entire food court, from a brand new entrance on the west side of the building — so that would be facing the Sears parking lot, new washroom facilities, new flooring, entirely new seating, new everything. It’s incredible,” general manager Kevin Brees said at a news conference Monday, Feb. 27.

As part of the revamp, the food court will be rebranded as “crave” as part of a marketing campaign. The first of four construction phases actually began behind the scenes late last year. Phase two is now under way, and the entire job is expected to be complete by mid-October.

Brees said the food court will remain open during the entire project.

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: November 12-17, 2024

Nov 12, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: November 4-10, 2024

Nov 04, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: October 28-November 3, 2024

Oct 28, 2024

“You’ll notice that all of our seating is still here,” he said. “We will still have seating in some of the other areas of the shopping centre. But we will have as minimal disruption as possible.”

In addition to the renovation, the food court is gaining a tenant, Pannizza, a pizza and sandwich chain. Brees said the mall will also see the arrival in June of Michael Hill. The location will be the first in the city for the jewellery chain. An existing tenant, footwear retailer Soft Moc, is relocating to a larger location as well.

Brees said illustrations of the new food court would be released in the weeks to come.