Costco is eyeing a new location in West St. Paul, just north of Winnipeg, marking a significant potential expansion for the retailer in Manitoba. The plan involves building a nearly 162,000-square-foot warehouse store, which, if approved, would be the fifth Costco hub in the province, aiming to serve growing populations and potentially ease congestion at existing city locations.
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Key Takeaways:
- Costco proposes a large new store in the Rural Municipality of West St. Paul.
- The location is strategically positioned near Winnipeg’s northern boundary and inside the Perimeter Highway.
- The project requires municipal approval, with a public hearing scheduled for June 12.
- The new store could help distribute shopper traffic from Winnipeg’s currently “jam-packed” locations.
- This adds to Costco’s ongoing expansion in the region, alongside a store currently under construction within Winnipeg.
Proposed Location and Store Details
The proposed site sits on approximately 21 acres at 71 and 81 Meadowlands Dr. in West St. Paul. This location is inside the Perimeter Highway and situated at the southwest intersection of Meadowlands Drive and Main Street.
The planned facility is substantial, projected to cover nearly 162,000 square feet. Preliminary plans detail 1,070 parking stalls to accommodate the expected high volume of visitors. The development would also include a seasonal outdoor garden centre, an eatery, and an on-site auto service station, offering the full suite of services typically found at a large Costco warehouse.
Municipal officials like Coun. Jeff Browaty of North Kildonan, a neighbouring riding, view the location positively due to its accessibility and proximity to growing populations in both West St. Paul and northwest Winnipeg. While acknowledging the potential benefit of the tax revenue if the store were within Winnipeg city limits, the location’s suitability for regional access is highlighted as a key advantage.
Proposed site plan or graphic showing the location of the planned Costco store in West St. Paul, near Winnipeg.
What This Means for Shoppers and the Region
Adding a fifth location in Manitoba underscores the significant demand Costco experiences in the province. With existing Winnipeg stores often described by shoppers as “jam-packed,” a new large format store in West St. Paul could help distribute traffic.
For residents in northern Winnipeg and surrounding areas like North Kildonan, the proposed West St. Paul location could offer a much closer and more convenient shopping option. This could lead to shorter travel times and reduced congestion at stores like the one on Regent Avenue. One local shopper noted that getting in and out of existing urban Costcos can be “ridiculous” even during off-peak hours, suggesting a new location could significantly improve the shopping experience for many.
While West St. Paul currently lacks public transit access, which could impact employees relying on transit, the majority of Costco patrons typically travel by car due to the nature of bulk purchases. Therefore, the lack of transit may have a limited impact on overall shopper accessibility but is a consideration for workforce logistics.
The Approval Process
The proposal is currently under review by municipal and provincial governments. Costco is represented by WSP Canada in the application process. A key step in the approval timeline is a public hearing by the Rural Municipality of West St. Paul, scheduled for June 12.
One specific request from Costco within its application is to reduce the number of required loading spaces on the property from seven to four. According to a memo from the municipality’s planning director, West St. Paul currently has “no comment or concerns” regarding this requested change.
Costco itself has not publicly commented on the proposal. The company generally maintains a policy of not discussing new locations until they are nearing their opening date.
Broader Costco Context in Winnipeg
This proposed expansion in West St. Paul comes as Costco is already expanding its footprint in the Winnipeg area. Construction is underway on a new, slightly larger Costco store at 4077 Portage Ave. within the city, following a building permit issued in July 2024 for a 166,894-square-foot facility.
Winnipeg currently operates three Costco warehouses located on Regent Avenue, McGillivray Boulevard, and St. James Street. There have also been discussions, according to local officials, that the St. James Street location might transition into a Costco Business Centre.
If the West St. Paul store is approved, Manitoba would have four traditional Costco warehouses and potentially one Business Centre, a network size that some believe is appropriate for the growing population and demand in the Winnipeg metropolitan area.
Shoppers fill carts at a busy Costco store, illustrating the demand driving new locations like the proposed West St. Paul site.
Costco’s overall financial health provides context for these expansion plans. The company reported net sales of US$249.6 billion and net income of US$7.4 billion in 2024, demonstrating strong performance that supports investment in new locations and market growth.
Outlook
The proposed Costco in West St. Paul represents a strategic move to tap into expanding communities surrounding Winnipeg and alleviate pressure on existing popular locations. The public hearing on June 12 will be a crucial step in determining the project’s future. Approval would signal continued retail growth in the region and offer consumers more convenience, while potentially influencing traffic patterns and local business dynamics.
For further insights into retail trends and business developments in the region, consider reading about [local grocery market trends or other major retail investments in Manitoba].
