2nd Saskatoon Costco not likely in Rosewood development

Despite hope that Saskatonianswould have a second Costco location, the retail giant won't likely be moving into Rosewood.

Vancouver-basedArbutus Properties is establishing a residential and retail neighbourhood in the city's southeast. According to president Jeff Drexel, Arbutus hopedCostco would develop in the area, but he said Saskatoon is too small of a market for a second store.

"Traditionally, they just don't entertain doing more than one store in a marketplace of less than 300,000 people," he said.

Arbutus is developing a neighbourhoodcalled the Meadows, about three kilometres from Boychuk Drive. It'smade up of350 acres of residential landand about 75 acres for a commercial area called Meadows Market.

Drexel said they hope to lease part of Meadows Market to a big retailer.

Aside from Costco, Arbutus has been in touch with Canadian Tire, Lowe's, Walmart and other major retailers. So far, they don't have a major tenant secured.

"We'd love to have them, but whether or not that's a reality, that's notyet to be determined," he said."At this point, there's definitely no deal in place."

Arbutus hopes the commercial development will includerestaurants, coffee shops andlocal businesses.

The commercialdevelopment is scheduled to begin in 2016 and open in the spring of2017.