July 30, 2026 – A building permit application has been received for the new Costco development at the southwest corner of Golf Links Road and Central Avenue adjacent to Innova Business Park. This long-anticipated project marks another milestone in the continued growth of the Golf Links corridor and surrounding area.

The project joins recent and ongoing developments including the Hyatt hotel on Oliver Road, the Kia dealership on Central Avenue, resuming the multi-residential development at the Thunder Bay Country Club, a new Ontario Power Generation headquarters, veterinary clinic, office/warehouse building, and other developments within Innova Business Park.

Receipt of the Costco building permit application marks a significant step forward in a project that has been in development for years, including real estate negotiations with the City to facilitate the establishment of the retailer within the eastern portion of Innova Business Park adjacent to Golf Links Road. A substantial portion of the land required for the development, previously owned by the city, was transferred in late 2025 to support the project and advance economic development.

City Council approved the necessary rezoning for the subject lands in April 2025, enabling the proposed retail use and advancing the project to a permit-ready stage.

“The receipt of a building permit application represents major progress for a development that has been years in the making,” said Mayor Ken Boshcoff. “Council’s support for this development reflects our commitment to job creation and regional growth. During my term, I have met regularly with proponents of the Costco project, and am very pleased to see it advance to this stage and come closer to fruition before I retire.”

To support this growth, nearby drainage infrastructure, road network upgrades, and intersection improvements have recently been completed to increase capacity and accommodate anticipated traffic and development activity associated with the project and surrounding lands.

“The presence of a major anchor retailer like Costco can attract complementary businesses and accelerate development in the area,” added Joel DePeuter, Director of Development Services, Growth Department. “We see strong potential for this project to support new investment and growth in Innova Business Park and the broader vicinity. There is already considerable momentum in the area, supported by infrastructure improvements completed over the past several years.”

Next steps include review of the Costco building permit application and associated drawings by the City’s Building Services Section for compliance with the Ontario Building Code Act. Once all required technical information and certifications have been submitted and any Code deficiencies have been addressed, the City will be in a position to issue the permit.

The development momentum occurring in the Golf Links corridor aligns with the Readiness Pillar of the City’s Smart Growth Action Plan by supporting commercial and industrial development to strengthen the local economy.

 

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Contact:           Joel DePeuter, Director, Development Services (Growth), 807-624-8837