A small group braved the threat of rain Friday morning to watch the official groundbreaking ceremonies for Wal-Mart in Cedar Hills.

Councilwoman Charelle Bowman took the opportunity to learn first hand how a backhoe works. She took the controls and maneuvered the equipment through some of its paces.

"How do you make it go forward?" she asked.

Speakers at the brief ceremony included David Wilhelm of the Orem Wal-Mart, Roy Williams of Phillips Edison, the original developer which still controls outparcels, and McGee.

Wilhelm lauded the store and its culture and philosophy which allow individuals to grow.

"I started out in overnight maintenance, waxing floors and cleaning toilets," he said. "As hard as you work for this company they will give back to you ten-fold. We are so proud to come into Cedar Hills."

He said the design of the store would reflect the city.

"Wal-Mart prides themselves on being a store of the community," he said. "This Cedar Hills store is unique and will be a beautiful store."

McGee agreed.

"It is unique in the nation to Cedar Hills," he said. "It really is a phenomenon. This does not look as much like a big box as it could. There is a brick facade and the front is broken up to add interest."

He said the day was a momentous one.

"This will be a great day for the city of Cedar Hills," he said. "We will have the ability to have a greater degree of convenience for our citizens."

In a prepared statement, McGee said, "The opportunity to live and shop in our own community will be a quality of life enhancement we will enjoy."

"People will be able to enjoy the convenience like they have never done before in Cedar Hills," he said. "Not to mention the tax advantage we have never had before."

He noted there would be a plaza in front of the building, saying he usually runs into friends or family when he goes to the store. "It will be a real nice area to meet and greet your neighbors," he said. "What a great concept to have the plaza feature where we can sit down with these people we know and love."

McGee said the construction schedule was an aggressive one, with a hoped-for opening date in November.

"If they meet that goal, I understand how great a feat that will be," he said, saying he had a background in construction.

Williams also expressed enthusiasm.

"Today is an exciting day," he said. "It is a culmination of a successful partnership between Cedar Hills, Wal-Mart and Phillips Edison. We are pleased to be a part of the success story."

He said he could not release the names of any of the business which would occupy the outbuildings, but said he had attended the International Council of Shopping Centers annual convention in Las Vegas and made good contacts.

"We had a very successful show as it relates to Cedar Hills," he said. "I can't announce any tenants today, but we are in discussions with several different retailers that will complement this project."

The supercenter, its landscaping and 591 parking spaces will take up 14 acres of the 18-acre site near Lone Peak High School, with three sites for small businesses to come later. The building was designed with varying roof heights to break up the facade of the building.

Wal-Mart originally proposed a store in Cedar Hills in 2003, but ultimately withdrew that proposal after residents organized in protest. After many other proposals for the property either met resistance or failed to materialize, Wal-Mart returned in late 2006, proposing a slightly smaller store. This time, a group of residents organized in support of the store.