A long-rumoured Costco in northeast Edmonton has officially moved forward.
A building permit for a new Costco warehouse at Manning Town Centre (153 Avenue NW and Ebbers Boulevard NW) was issued on April 16, 2026, according to the Alberta Major Projects database.
The update has reignited one of northeast Edmonton’s most discussed retail projects especially around traffic concerns and what the area will look like once it opens.
We first reported on this project in December 2025 when employee chatter and early site plans suggested a new Costco was coming to Manning Town Centre. You can read that original report here:
Attention Edmonton Northsiders: A New Costco Is Coming to Manning Town Centre Now, the project is no longer speculation.
It’s officially moving ahead.
What’s Confirmed So Far
Here’s what is confirmed at this stage:
A Costco warehouse is planned for Manning Town Centre
Location: 153 Avenue NW and Ebbers Boulevard NW
A building permit was issued on April 16, 2026
The project includes a warehouse and attached liquor store
Costco has not publicly announced an opening date.
However, based on online discussion and typical warehouse build timelines, some residents believe the store could open around late 2026 (not confirmed).
“It Could Be the Biggest Costco in Edmonton” What People Are Saying
One of the biggest talking points online is the size of the new store.
Some commenters online claim the Manning location could become the largest Costco in Edmonton, with:
A larger warehouse footprint
Expanded parking
A bigger gas bar than existing locations
None of these details have been confirmed by Costco Canada.
But the rumour has spread quickly through local discussion threads and social media.
Traffic Concerns Are Already Taking Over the Conversation
If there’s one thing Edmonton residents agree on, it’s this traffic will be the biggest issue.
One Reddit user wrote:
“That intersection by Chipotle will be completely unusable.”
Others pointed out that Manning Drive and 153 Avenue are already heavily used, especially on weekends.
For many residents, the concern isn’t just the Costco itself it’s whether the surrounding roads can handle it.
Why Manning Town Centre Was Chosen
Manning Town Centre has become one of northeast Edmonton’s busiest retail hubs.
It already includes major retailers such as:
Cabela’s
Canadian Tire
Cineplex
FreshCo
Movati Athletic
The area also serves fast-growing communities including Brintnell, Hollick-Kenyon, Crystallina Nera, and McConachie.
With that level of growth, a Costco in the area has long been expected.
Will It Help or Make Traffic Worse?
Opinions are split.
Some believe the new location could improve access compared to the current 50 Street Costco near Clareview, which is known for heavy congestion and difficult exits.
Others are not convinced.
Concerns raised online include:
CN rail crossings on 153 Avenue
High weekend traffic volumes
Limited arterial road capacity
Existing congestion in the Manning area
In short, demand is not the question infrastructure is.
When Could It Open?
There is no official opening date yet from Costco.
However, based on typical construction timelines for warehouse retail projects, many residents expect:
Late 2026 (speculative, not confirmed)
That timeline aligns with early projections shared when the project first appeared in planning discussions.
What Happens Next
Now that a permit has been issued, the project typically moves into visible construction stages:
Site preparation and clearing
Foundation work
Steel structure construction
Parking lot and access road development
Interior build-out
Once work begins, the scale of the project will become much more visible from Manning Drive.
Bottom Line
The new Costco at Manning Town Centre is no longer a rumour.
It is officially moving forward and northeast Edmonton is already debating what it means for traffic, growth, and weekend congestion.
Whether it becomes a major retail win or a traffic headache will depend on how the surrounding roads handle the added demand.
For now, Manning Drive is about to get even busier.
Sources
Alberta Major Projects Costco Warehouse Manning Town Centre
City of Edmonton development permit records
Culture Alberta reporting (December 2025)
Public discussion on r/Edmonton (May 2026)
