One of Vancouver’s most revered retailers is planning to set up camp in Olympic Village by mid-2018.

Mountain Equipment Co-op unveiled this week plans to open a 45,000-square-foot flagship shop at 2nd Avenue and Quebec Street.

The two-storey shop would replace the outfitter’s outdated West Broadway location just a few blocks south, said MEC CEO David Labistour in a news release.

“Relocating MEC Vancouver nearby our existing location boils down to having a bigger, better and more accessible store,” Labistour said.

The shop would occupy most of a 60,000-square-foot three-storey mixed-use building proposed by Beedie Development Group. The developer has set a target of LEED Gold certification and the building would feature an undulating green roof that captures water.

The remainder of the development would be earmarked for office and community space.

Construction could begin in early 2017 should the project be approved, according to the release. That timing is ideal for MEC, which is approaching the end of its existing lease at 130 West Broadway, said Labistour.

There are more than 400,000 MEC members in Greater Vancouver, he said.

mrobinson@vancouversun.com

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