Costco seeks to build new store in RM of West St. Paul

Winnipeg Free Press

4 days ago

Costco has its eye on West St. Paul.
The global big box retailer is seeking to build a nearly 162,000-square-foot store just outside Winnipeg's northern boundary. If approved, the site will mark Costco's fifth Manitoba hub.
It's proposing 1,070 parking stalls and a seasonal outdoor garden centre. The warehouse — covering 71 and 81 Meadowlands Dr. — would include an eatery and auto service station.
'I think it is a good location,' said Coun. Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan), whose riding neighbours the Rural Municipality of West St. Paul.
'It would be nice if it was in the city of Winnipeg for the tax revenue, but regardless, I still think this is a good location.'
Undeveloped multi-family and commercial space lies near the roughly 21 acres Costco has circled. The Meadowlands Drive parcel is inside the Perimeter Highway, at the road's southwest intersection with Main Street.
'Getting people in and out of that area, that's a positive aspect,' Browaty said.
Both the municipality and northwest Winnipeg have growing populations, he noted.
Costco tapped WSP Canada to represent it during its application process. Its proposal has circulated to the municipal and provincial governments.
The RM is holding a public hearing on the matter on June 12. Costco aims to decrease the number of required loading spaces on the property from seven to four, an application notice reads.
West St. Paul has 'no comment or concerns' regarding the change, per a memo from Pam Elias, the municipality's director of planning and economic development.
Costco didn't respond to questions by print deadline. As a rule, the corporation doesn't comment on new locations until they're almost open.
Shovels have hit the ground on a Costco at 4077 Portage Ave. In July 2024, the City of Winnipeg issued Costco a permit to build a 166,894-sq.-ft. store.
Winnipeg has three operational Costcos: on Regent Avenue, McGillivray Boulevard and St. James Street. There are rumblings the St. James location will transition to a Costco business centre, Browaty said.
'Having four regular centres plus a business centre, I think, probably is appropriate for Winnipeg,' he added.
The current locales are 'jam-packed,' noted shopper Aaron Safioles.
He lives in North Kildonan and travels to Regent during his Costco excursions. A West St. Paul spot — maybe four kilometres away from his place — would be welcome, he said.
'It's going to … spread out shopping,' Safioles added, mentioning the congestion around urban Costcos. 'They're ridiculous to get in and out to, even in the middle of the day on like a Tuesday.'
Winnipeg Transit doesn't reach West St. Paul. However, most Costco patrons likely don't haul their purchases home on a bus, Browaty said.
'It might've been a desirable feature for … employees that work at Costco to potentially use transit,' he added.
Costco's net sales in 2024 totalled US$249.6 billion. Its net income was US$7.4 billion.
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Gabrielle PichéReporter
Gabrielle Piché reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle.
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