Costco to open near Oakridge by late February

Less than three months from now, Oakridge residents will be a mere five-minute drive from a Costco, as the wholesaler plans to open a warehouse store in the new Taza development on the Tsuu T’ina Nation just southwest of Oakridge.

Costco, originally scheduled to open in July at the northwest intersection of 130th Avenue and Tsuu T’ina Trail (otherwise known at the Calgary Ring Road), will now open in late February as construction is ahead of schedule. The overpass at that intersection is presently under construction, and is expected to be completed this spring. But in the interim shoppers will be able to access Costco off a service road near Bullhead Road.

The 150,000-square-foot store will be the first Costco ever built on First Nations land. As of mid-November, framing on the new building had already been completed.

Costco is the first tenant to occupy the soon-to-be developed Taza Exchange, which will be a series of retail stores and outlets along the western stretch of the ring road between Anderson Road and 130th Avenue.

The new store will save Oakridge residents significant travel time, as members presently have to drive to Heritage Meadows to find the nearest Costco, a little less than 20 minutes away.