Mountain Equipment Co-op to open first store in Sask.

Outdoor enthusiasts will soon have another shopping option in Saskatchewan.

Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) announced plans Tuesday to open a 20,000 square foot store in Saskatoon’s Midtown Plaza.

It will be Co-op’s 25th location in Canada, and first in the province.

In addition to selling outdoor equipment and clothing, MEC said the new store will offer programs, clinics, rentals and a full service bike and ski shop for customers.

“Saskatoon is the province’s gateway city to outdoor recreation – our new store will bring our product selection, programs and services to more members and be closer to where they live, work and play,” MEC CEO David Labistour said in a news release.

The downtown shopping mall is currently undergoing an $80-million dollar renovation which includes redeveloping 160,000 square feet of space left empty by Sears.

Construction will begin in fall 2019 and is expected to open in the spring of 2020.

The company said the store will integrate MEC’s green building standard and provide approximately 50 jobs to the local economy.