Editor:
Congratulations to mayor and council for the very attractive improvements made to Ladner Village. We take great pleasure in proudly showing off a village unique to British Columbia.
I do not, however, agree with the advisory group that concluded that business in Ladner Village will best survive by depending on local shoppers. For local shoppers, it’s a very short drive to Tsawwassen Mills and Tsawwassen Commons with their overwhelming amount of free parking.
Ladner is attractive, pleasant and friendly, but for business to thrive and survive, it needs people, lots of people. The Ladner Village Market helps, for a relatively few days in summer, and definitely proves that something different and attractive will bring people from far and wide.
As simply an occasional shopping choice, Ladner cannot and will not last. The beautification and excellent maintenance helps, but come winter and more shopping opportunities elsewhere, it’s simply not enough.
Encouraging more housing opportunities by making it more attractive to redevelop to higher use is commendable, but possibly too little, too late. We need more outstanding attractions.
The recent very nice work done by the city and Taverna Gorgona is a prime example. There’s a great opportunity waiting to happen at what once made Ladner famous, the river frontage on Chisholm Street.
A few more classy restaurant choices and a few more places to shop for the more unusual, especially those closely related to water, fishing, sports, etc., would attract people from Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley as well as put Ladner on the list of places to visit for people visiting B.C. from other provinces and states.
Do it now. Don’t wait until it becomes an absolute must.
Bill Vander Zalm
