Back to reality, I went to the Ambleside Town Centre Strategy Vision meeting today at the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce. The Ambleside area has needed re-invigoration for some time, with a lack of a cohesive character to the area and chronic turnover of retail businesses which fail to survive – in the middle a relatively prosperous demographic community. The West Vancouver District Planning Department has some very interesting ideas for the area, including possibly a hotel at the site of the current West Vancouver Police building – although whether a boutique-style hotel would be economically viable given the number of rooms which would be required due the land cost is a significant issue. I like the vision statement: “By integrating commerce, housing, civic activities, arts, culture, and the waterfront, Ambleside will be the vibrant heart of the West Vancouver community …” As they say, the devil is in the details so it will be interesting to see how this vision can translate into community and economic realities. You can email the Planning Department feedback here.
Upcoming events:
1. April 23, 2:00 pm, I’m hosting a coffee party for Joan McIntyre, BC Liberal Candidate for West Vancouver-Garibaldi at a private residence; you can email for an invite;
2. April 27, 7:00 pm, I’m giving a presentation on Discretionary Trusts for disabled beneficiaries to the BC Schizophrenia Society – North Shore Branch at Lions Gate Hospital;
3. May 2, 5:00 pm, Mark Sager and I are hosting a wine and cheese for Ralph Sultan, BC Liberal Candidate for West Vancouver-Capilano at Saltaire; you can email to rsvp; and
4. The Rotary Club of West Vancouver is holding a garage sale on Saturday, May 14th from 10 until 2 at St. David’s United Church (1525 Taylor Way, West Van) as its main fundraising event of the year. If you have items to donate for the garage sale, please email, as it would be most appreciated.