Costco‘s Lloydminster fuel centre will not open Oct. 6, despite dates circulating on social media.

Larry Walper, general manager of the Lloydminster Costco, confirmed the delay to BorderPulse. He said the company is now looking at Oct. 14 if all goes well, but even that is subject to changing conditions.

Subsequently, Costco has narrowed it’s target to the third week of November, for the warehouse opening, Walper said. That is the week before Black Friday. This is a smaller window than the originally projected second or third week given a couple of months ago to our organization.

Walper said in a recent presentation to local business owners that technical difficulties forced the postponement. He said the fuel centre would still open about five weeks before the warehouse. This fits with the projection of the third week of Nov.

He said it will be the fourth Costco location in Canada to offer diesel.

Warehouse opening targeted for third week of November

Walper agreed the timing lands around the same time as the Christmas Craft Sale at the Lloydminster Exhibition Association. Which is scheduled for Nov. 20-22 at the Exhibition, its our local start to the Christmas season.

In communication with The Border Pulse Walper said the target holds barring any problems or delays. Recent complications and company travel plans could still shift the date, he said.

Jobs ahead of opening

Walper said Costco plans to open with about 300 employees. He said 71 are transfers from other Costco locations across Canada.

That leaves more than 200 jobs to fill in Lloydminster. The starting wage is $20 an hour, he said.

He also described a program for college students. Students set their own availability and work Thursdays and Sundays, he said. They keep their seniority and progress toward raises.

Community support before the doors open

Walper said Costco has been working with local groups even though the store is not open. He said the company does not seek publicity for its giving.

Costco gave a pallet of food to the food bank to store, he said. The two school districts then shared it among their lunch programs.

The company also bought backpacks for the school districts. Walper said each Costco building normally ships about 250 backpacks to schools.

For the youth centre, Costco bought 1,000 pairs of socks for winter, he said. The centre’s fundraiser, which the company had bought a table for was cancelled, Costco told the centre to keep the $800. The 65-inch TV and a PlayStation 5, originally set to be auctioned off, were also given to the centre for the youth.

Walper said they asked the Salvation Army what it needs. The organization prepares weekend food kits for about 130 children a week, he said.

He said Costco also plans to sponsor Gatorade and granola bars for Bobcats home games. The team is community-funded, he said.

Walper said the company wants to work with more local sports clubs. It also hopes to bring back school tours of the warehouse.

Giving programs planned for the year

Walper listed several recurring campaigns. A Breakfast Club fundraiser each September supports local schools. Children’s hospital fundraising runs through May. Costco also staffs a Salvation Army kettle for most of the month before Christmas.

Employees can donate to charities of their choice through a United Way campaign each October, he said. He said Costco raised $2.61 million last year, with a $1.8 million company match. About 70 per cent of employees contributed.

Through a family sponsorship program, staff buy gifts for a family in need, Walper said. School districts help identify the family. Employees wrap the gifts and deliver them with a holiday dinner.

They warehouse also keeps a year-round bin for food bank donations, he said.

BorderPulse will update this story when Costco confirms a firm opening date.