Saskatoon is 'prime location' for IKEA, city says

Rumours have been circulating of an IKEA opening in Saskatoon following an announcement of the Swedish furniture giant making its way to the Halifax area.

• Ikea to open much-anticipated full-size store in Halifax region

While the City of Saskatoon has no knowledge of thestore looking at sites in the city or within the region, it would be pleased to see it.

"We'd welcome them if they were here," said Alan Wallace, director of planning and development for the city.

"What our job primarily is, is to make it that when they do come knocking on our door, that there is land and locations available."

According to Wallace, there is about 350,000 square metres of retail space in the city that could be built in the next five to 10 years. Right now, there is about 200,000 square metres that is either in the planning stages or is currently under construction.

He said if the furniture store were to set up shopinthe bridge city, there are three realistic places for it to be built:

• The east side adjacent to the Brighton neighbourhood.

• On the west side as part of an extension to the suburban centres in the south east of the city.

• The Rosewood extension, which is already approved and is an actively growing its commercial area.

"We're always anxious to see the range of retail expanded in Saskatoon," said Wallace.

"I think if they're expanding in Canada, Saskatoon would be a very prime location," he added."Our retail statistics and our retail spending have gone up significantly in the last eight to ten years, so I'd imagine we'd be on their radar."

No plans to open in Saskatoon

"We are constantly reviewing expansion opportunities across Canada, with the ambition to make IKEA even more accessible to the many Canadians," Stephanie Kerr, spokesperson for IKEA Canada, wrote to CBC News. "At this time, there are no plans to open a store in Saskatoon."

But for the time being, shoppers in Saskatoon will be able to access the furniture store by telephone or through IKEA's website.