For Wasaga Beach and surrounding area residents, tourists and cottagers, travelling out of town to get to one of the world’s largest retailers will be a thing of the past. The beach town, home to the longest freshwater beach in the world, is getting its very own Costco Wholesale. Construction is set to launch this spring at the store’s new location at 345 Lyons Court after the Town issued a building permit to move the project to the next step. The new Costco, a project worth $50 million, will be 162,000 square feet including a warehouse, tire centre, gas bar and seasonal garden centre. The Town says the retailer will add more than 370 jobs to the region, one of the most significant private-sector investments in the town’s history. “This is a big moment for Wasaga Beach and something we know residents have been waiting for,” said Wasaga Beach Mayor Brian Smith. “This Council has been focused on attracting major investment that creates jobs, strengthens our economy and builds a more sustainable tax base. Securing a globally recognized retailer like Costco speaks volumes about the confidence investors have in our community and where we are headed.” The Town says the project supports Wasaga Beach’s broader economic development strategy of attracting major employers, supporting local businesses and reducing reliance on residential property taxes.
