There's no doubt the Ladner and Tsawwassen business districts need to undergo transformations if they are to compete with the mega malls under construction at the Tsawwassen First Nation, says Mayor Lois Jackson.
The mayor was asked for her take on what might be needed as a strategy is being devised to help local businesses adjust to life alongside Tsawwassen Mills and Tsawwassen Commons, both of which are scheduled to open in May of next year.
Delta council has hired a consultant to formulate the South Delta Business Sustainability Strategy, which will include input from Delta, the Delta Chamber of Commerce, the Ladner Business Association, the Tsawwassen Business Improvement Association and Tourism Delta.
The mayor said a number of ideas are expected, likely involving noticeable transformations of the business districts.
"We all know it's coming. Our businesses want to know what can they do about it and how can we help them," she said.
Jackson said she believes Ladner needs an even more "historic village" feel that can make it become a destination, one that includes a revitalized harbour.
As far as Tsawwassen, she sees Centennial Beach as becoming more of a major theme for the area, a change that includes beautification projects.
The mayor has seen the business scene in South Delta gradually evolve since she was first elected to council in the early 1970s, a time when there were still bowling alleys, movie theatres, car dealerships and other types of retail that are now long gone.
She said the TFN shopping centres could impact the business scene in a big way, hurting
some retailers while others won't be impacted.
Jackson said people don't necessarily prefer big-box outlets if they can get good customer service, a message, she said, that has to get out.
"You want to go into a store and be able to spend 15 minutes there and come out with what you want. You go into big-box store
and it will take you 15 minutes just to find where you're supposed to go.
"I think there's a lot of people saying they want something more personal and people to help them decide. It comes down to customer service and time, and your time is valuable."
Jackson added a strategy also needs to be devised to bring North Delta residents to South Delta to shop,
rather than seeing them drive into Surrey or elsewhere.
The South Delta Business Sustainability Strategy will be ready for council discussion in the next couple of months.
The consultant held a meeting for Ladner business owners on Tuesday and for Tsawwassen business people the following night.
Prior to Wednesday's
meeting, Tsawwassen Business Improvement Association president Randy Scott told the Optimist he's skeptical a consultant can help solve things, noting it's up to council to follow up on ideas and be willing to make investments in the business communities. He said that's something that's not happened in Delta, unlike other cities that have seen change.
"Money should have been put in these towns 20 years ago but nothing has happened. Are they willing to spend some money now for any projects?" asked Scott.
Ivanhoe Cambridge and Property Development Group are behind the mall projects, located on 180 acres just off Highway 17 at 52nd Street.
Ivanhoe Cambridge's project will comprise 1.2 million square feet of destination retail and entertainment space. Called Tsawwassen Mills, it will follow the model of the huge CrossIron Mills shopping mall north of Calgary and Vaughan Mills north of Toronto.
Property Development Group is developing an outdoor retail mall comprising 550,000 square feet called Tsawwassen Commons.
So far, the only tenants that have been announced are Walmart and Rona at Tsawwassen Commons and Bass Pro Shops at Tsawwassen Mills.
