Costco off to Westside?

Photo: Google Maps

Local officials are not commenting, but Kelowna's Costco store could be on the move.

It's no secret the store is looking for a bigger location to house a larger store footprint, more parking and a gas bar.

It's first choice was at the industrial park across from Kelowna International Airport, however, the city has nixed that location, saying it doesn't fit into plans for the area.

Now, it's believed the retail giant has narrowed the field of potential locations to two, with one on Westbank First Nation lands across from the Okanagan Lake Shopping Centre just past the Westside Road interchange a likely choice.

One source tells Castanet the location has been on the table for the past two years.

The general manager at the Kelowna Costco store would not comment directly on the speculation, which was fueled by comments to that effect by employees manning a company booth at last weekend's Interior Provincial Exhibition in Armstrong.

She said she didn't know what prompted employees to make the claims.

"I couldn't comment," she said. "But, nothing is in stone."

Apparently, no decision will be made until the company's CEO has had a chance to view the locations in person.

It's not clear whether that step has been taken.