Shoppers are pictured at the Costco location in Kelowna.
Image Credit: Global Okanagan/Tom Reynolds (with permission)
September 19, 2018 - 3:46 PM
KELOWNA - Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran is challenging the accuracy of a letter his chief rival Tom Dyas sent to media regarding Costco.
“It’s a mayoral candidate looking to get ahead,” Basran said Wednesday afternoon. “What’s in the letter is not accurate.”
The letter Dyas provided to media is one he sent to Costco asking them to reconsider any decision to relocate until after the Oct. 20 municipal election, after which time, if elected, he would be willing to meet with Costco executives in Washington.
“It has been brought to my attention that you came to our city and met with elected officials,” the letter states. “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.”
There was no formal meeting with council but Basran did meet with Costco some months ago, along with the current city manager (Doug Gilchrist, who was planning director at the time). Basran said there was someone else in the meeting but he couldn’t recall who.
They talked about a number of options for Costco to relocate to but did not talk about any changes to the business model or a two-storey store, although the idea of a parkade was suggested.
At that time, Costco was considering moving to the Airport Business Park. Council is not supporting big box stores in that location, at this time, Basran stated.
He said Costco is free to apply for rezoning in the Airport Business Park and such applications are considered on a “case by case basis.”
“We want to keep them here,” he stressed.
While there are rumours that Costco will move to West Kelowna, Basran said city staff in its real estate department are continuing to work with Costco on possible relocation sites.
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