Council is asking voters to approve borrowing up to $227 million, to build a new Aquatics and Recreation Centre in Hammond.
Do we need a new pool? YES. But I am voting NO to borrowing $227 million for a pool in Hammond when I believe we have better options to explore.
Across Canada, cities are partnering with developers to redevelop aging malls.
Lougheed and Brentwood show how these sites can evolve into walkable communities that bring together housing, shopping, and services.
Surrey’s Central City (old Surrey Place Mall) shows how retail, offices and education (SFU campus)` can anchor downtown renewal.
Haney Place Mall could offer Maple Ridge a similar opportunity, with a new public aquatic centre at its heart to help attract businesses, create local jobs and strengthen our economy.
In exchange for the property at the east end of the mall, the City could work with the developer to prioritize rezoning for mixed-use development combining retail, office, medical and residential space, and explore development cost charge reductions where legally permitted.
Below is a conceptual drawing showing what this option could look like at Haney Place Mall.
Introducing
Maple Ridge Aquatics Centre at Haney Place
The Mayor say’s Downtown is the heart of our community.
Why build a new pool in Hammond?
Just twenty minutes away, near the Port Mann Bridge, Coquitlam has partnered with developers to build a new waterfront community that we could only dream of due to past and current council’s poor decisions to put low-rise wooden housing in our downtown core.
At this site in Coquitlam, the developer is building a new aquatic and community centre that will ultimately be owned and operated by the city in exchange for city land and fast tracking development zoning and permits.
Below is the link to the website. The first tower in Phase 1 is already under construction near the Home Depot & Casino.
Introducing… Fraser Mills
Lou JOSE for Councillor
A NEW direction.