Costco set to bring wholesale merchandise to Orillia

A shopper leaves a Costco store in Portland, Ore., on Dec. 7, 2011. (AP / Rick Bowmer)

By this time next year, residents living in and around Orillia will be able to shop at a Costco that is a little closer to home.

The wholesale retailer has announced plans to build a 156,000 sq. ft. shopping centre in the West Ridge area of the city, near University Avenue and Diana Drive.

“I am very excited to confirm that Costco is coming to Orillia with a tentative opening one year from now,” said Mayor Steve Clarke in a statement.

In addition to the shopping warehouse, the development will include a gas bar, a propane station and a seasonal garden centre.

The development will be built on 14 acres of land that has been sold to Costco by Charter Construction and Mark Rich home Ltd.

“There is still a lot of work to be done between now and the official opening, but we look forward to offering Costco Orillia as a new retail option for 2016 holiday shopping,” says Angelo Orsi, president of Charter in a statement.

Officials say the development will bring in more than $1 million in revenue for the city through permit fees and development charges next year, while adding to the tax base.

The city believes the arrival of Costco will create 250 full and part time jobs.