Thunder Bay is one step closer to getting its long-awaited Costco after the company officially submitted a building permit application to the city for a retail warehouse and gas bar to be built at Golf Links Road and Central Avenue, adjacent to Innova Business Park.
What the application means
With the permit now on file, the city’s building-services staff can begin a technical review to ensure the project complies with the Ontario Building Code and local requirements. Joel DePeuter, director of development services for the city, told reporters the review process may involve additional exchanges of technical information before the permit is issued.
The standard turnaround for the city to review building-permit applications is 15 working days, DePeuter said. He also noted the scale of the submission: the permit fee on the file is reported as over $200,000 for what the city described as a $33 billion construction project.
Site readiness and municipal upgrades
Site preparation has already begun at the Golf Links and Central location. City council rezoned the parcel for retail use in April 2025, and municipal crews have carried out upgrades to nearby drainage infrastructure, roads and intersections to accommodate the anticipated increase in traffic.
Those upgrades have been presented by the city as part of its preparations for large-scale retail development in that part of town. The application now puts the technical work — structural plans, mechanical systems, fire protection and accessibility details — under formal municipal review.
- Location: Golf Links Road and Central Avenue, adjacent to Innova Business Park
- Project: Costco retail warehouse and gas bar
- City review timeline: standard target of 15 working days for permit review
- Permit fee on file: over $200,000
"The receipt of a building permit application represents major progress for a development that has been years in the making," Thunder Bay's mayor Ken Boshcoff said in a statement.
Local governance and economic context
Mayor Boshcoff called the submission a milestone and tied council’s support for the project to broader goals of job creation and regional growth. In the same statement he reflected on his involvement with proponents during his term, saying he was pleased to see the development advance "before I retire."
City officials have previously emphasised that rezoning and infrastructure work were prerequisites for attracting large-format retail. The arrival of a national wholesale chain like Costco is expected by proponents to create construction and ongoing jobs, though specifics on employment figures were not included in the permit notice on file with the city.
Next steps and what residents can expect
Staff from the city’s building-services division will proceed with their technical review. If additional documentation or revisions are required, the applicant will be asked to supply those details. Only after the review is complete and all code requirements are met will the building permit be issued.
Residents can expect continued work around the site as construction advances following permit approval, and the city has indicated prior investments in drainage and road improvements to support increased traffic. The precise construction timeline and opening date have not been released as part of the permit submission.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Permit review target | 15 working days (standard) |
| Permit fee reported | Over $200,000 |
| Rezoning | Completed April 2025 |
As the city moves through the technical review, more detailed construction plans and timelines should become available. For many Thunder Bay residents, the project's progress will be watched closely for its potential effects on local shopping options, traffic patterns and employment.
