A new southwest Calgary Costco store is the first-ever opened on First Nation land in Canada.
The 151,000 square foot warehouse opened Friday, in the Taza development on Tsuut’ina Nation land in the city’s southwest.
“We welcome Costco to Tsuut’ina, and look forward to strengthening our relationship with our neighbours and encourage them to celebrate the inception of Taza with us,” said Tsuut’ina Nation Chief Roy Whitney.
“It’s an honour to be the home of the first Costco on indigenous land. Today is a momentous day for both the Nation and for Southwest Calgary.”
The new location is full service: fuel, optometry, photos, tire centre, food court – with 847 parking spots. Signage in the area is done in both English and Sarcee. The landscape is done to simulate the surrounding Tsuut’ina land.
The location has created 88 full time jobs.
The Taza development
Taza has three distinct villages laid out on 1,200 acres: Taza Exchange, Taza Park, and Taza Crossing. SW Calgary Costco is located in The Shops at Buffalo Run at Taza Exchange. The area is intended to create a sense of place for the Tsuut’ina people, incorporating history, culture and stories.
“The official opening of SW Calgary Costco validates that Taza is open for business,” said William Briscoe, CEO of Taza Development Corp, in a prepared release.
“Because of the collective efforts between Taza Development Corp and Costco, we have been able to secure a leading anchor tenant to provide various employment opportunities, even as we navigate through these current economic times.”
It’s the seventh Costco location to open in Calgary.
“We are excited to be working with the Tsuut’ina Nation at Taza, and to be able to give our valued members, businesses, and the surrounding community the advantage of shopping locally,” said David Skinner, Senior Vice President of Western Canada, Costco Wholesale Canada.
