232808
231186

Kelowna  

Costco becomes political

Kelowna mayoralty candidate Tom Dyas doesn't think city council has treated one of its biggest corporate citizens very well.

And, he's made the relocation of Costco's Kelowna operation a political issue.

It's been widely known for several years the warehouse giant has been looking for a new, larger location, one which would include a larger store, more parking and a gas bar.

Recent stories indicated Costco could move to property just across the William R. Bennett Bridge on Westbank First Nation lands.

In an open letter to company warehouse manager Omara Escobar, Dyas implored the company to wait until after the Oct. 20 election before making a decision.

He invited Escobar to meet with him, if elected, either in Kelowna or at the company's head office in Issaquah, Wash.

"It has been brought to my attention that you came to our city and met with elected officials," Dyas wrote in his letter.

"However, you did not receive a very warm welcome as you were requested to change your distribution model and look at a store with two floors."

Mayor Colin Basran says Dyas' assertion is false. He says it's an attempt by a candidate to grab headlines.

"In the meeting, we assured Costco representatives we want them to stay in our community. I instructed staff to work with their representatives to find viable, alternative locations if that's what they wanted to pursue."

As for the specific allegations made by Dyas, Basran says elected officials wouldn't be doing their job it they didn't ask questions about a company's specific plans.

"Of course we asked if they were open to a two-floor like Vancouver. We asked if they might be open to a parkade similar to what an Ikea has at some of their stores.

"But, we didn't demand they do anything. We just had to ask the questions, so we could help them find the most suitable location."

He says any assertion councillors asked Costco to change their business model is ridiculous.

Dyas added the loss of Costco would result in a significant loss of tax revenue, shifting the tax burden on local residents.



More Kelowna News