It seems there is almost nobody who agrees with the proposed location of the Spirit Square. They say it should be further down on West Beach, or better yet, on East Beach — they need more down there, I’m told.
So, please correct me where my logic fails:
- If parking in White Rock is a sacred obsession, then impact on parking lots must be none to minimal;
- If a public square might be used for music or have people in it late at night and early morning, then it should not be in a residential neighbourhood;
- If a gathering place can help bring people to local businesses, then it would best be located in front of businesses;
- If it is expected to be used for celebrations, then it will need to be big enough to accommodate a stage;
- If the intention is to create a meeting place, then it should be located where travel paths to many different destinations cross.
So… we need a wide space in front of businesses in a central place that won’t take away any precious parking… I can only think of one space along the waterfront that meets those criteria.
I’m glad Totem Plaza was created. It’s pretty to look at as I walk by to the museum or pier. But the purpose of this Spirit Square project is not to build another pretty monument, it is to create a space that functions exceptionally well as meeting place for friends, to watch passersby, or join a community celebration.
Memorial Park is the best place for a Spirit Square. It is the only waterfront location that meets all 5 criteria listed above.
White Rock Reporter Says:
February 5th, 2008 at 2:57 amVisit White Rock Reporter
Comments to Matt Todds blog 5 Feb 2008 by Johan Sandstrom; WhiteRockReporter.com
May this serve as a possible ;contribution and general constructive criticism.
The positive event and face we are in today in White Rock is that ‘all looks sunny and exciting with construction going on up-town.
Seaside has not changed and probably won’t need a face-lift.
No Botox in the world can save the face of ‘heralded international, cosmopolitan, Mediterranean. ethnic and charming and first class advertised food establishments for visitors to sit and frequent, eat and drink in a massive , dense carbon dioxide polluted strip of patios and restaurants. Actively inhaling their ‘deserts’ of the delivered carbon foot prints left behind the noisy traffic of vehicles and motorbikes, cruising up and down [some looking for parking] the strip of Marine Drive West and East, 6 months of the year and mostly during weekends and Wednesdays.
1.
Matt, Logic is not my strong side but first of all…please tell me the size and surface description of the proposed Memorial Park.
Is it at the foot of Oxford and Marine Dr. West?
2.
I’ve always wondered why we all focus on driving visitors deliberately to the Ocean Front Promenade,
and the Marine Drive.
Honestly there are not too many people walking the babies and children and friends around in those beach areas of our seaside and then venturing to visit for dinner or lunch in one of the many eateries on the stip.
3.
Revue…sorry review the caliber of patrons, guests in each establishment and you will find most guests and visitors are those arriving in cars [I am speaking of the summer clientele now] demanding parking and absolutely ‘hanging out’ and not necessarily the best paying customers one may think.
4.
Example of frequently visited and busy establishments [not really making White Rock an attractive and exciting 'destination'if you pardon me for saying just that] ; OB Bar & Grill, Charlies, Frond’s Bistro, Iguana, Chill?, The Pier, Caribbean Breeze and the Boathouse, add Grapes [new start up, and Uli's and Torino, Giraffe and Little India and Italian Taste and you pretty much have covered what tourists, visitors would consider worth visiting for as far as cuisine goes.
I call the crowd of sun gazers and beer/ bar hopping individuals ,people and couples, hard to please.
Age groups: 20 to 45.
This commerce will be ongoing regardless of a Spirit Square or not.
5.
I can see the point in looking around uptown to somehow create something worth calling part of a destination beside the four high-rises and the theatre [closed daytime anyway]. Count whatever we’ve got.
Park Plaza, Royal Plaza, Town Centre to be, Russell, Thrift, so far and still Hillcrest Mall, Centennial Park, a fabulous empty piece of school property [weekends] along Johnston to Five Corners a few churches, a Produce/Farmer’s Market period boosting Sat commerce for a couple of few summer months.
We have the Elks and a fire station, library, City Hall and RCMP detachment and….the Curling Rink..season.
We have the Johnston Clock Tower.
Soon I understand the White Rock’s only grocery Market ‘Buy Low’ is history and won’t be of service for long.
White Rock residents need to ‘take the bus’, scooters or bike to Ocean Park or Peninsula Village or Semiahmoo Mall Super store for grocery [Surrey].
6.
Up-town is in need of deliberate and targeted planning for and prospecting for parties willing to bring what White Rock Up-Town needs…’new magnets serving as just that, ‘magnets to attract tourists and visitors from nearby communities.
Up-town lack ‘identity, charm and there is nothing up-town enticing people to go for just ‘unique shopping’ because many small little mom-/pop/ businesses, up-town eateries do not always live up to the standards boosted about in advertisements and flyer’s.
With a few exceptions most eateries fail the grade and cannot compete. Total cost of a couple to visit and ‘do the strip’ for a few hours during anytime of the year is an expensive exercise. The adventure will take you back about 70 dollars plus parking fee.
To stimulate up-town White Rock make room [I have been saying since 1993] for a large but mini-conference and hospitality/community centre, seating no less than 400 persons, but designed to hold mini seminars and educational events and ‘fairs’ requiring at the most one quarter of the space .
Professionals love to tour and hold their corporate professional meetings and internal regionals and more types of events in quaint and charming facilities,but by pass White Rock since we do not have the facilities required.
White Rock and business are losing potential revenues possible since ’strange traffic and strange people’ visit and buy in the stores up-town.
It’s amazing what guest and seminar visitors and conference participants do with their money when away from home.
Add another weekly dancing venue [Wed and Weekends except Sun.] for mature adults 30 plus. Penticton can serve as good example where one has managed to combine tourist friendly and incentives for visiting travelers to stay a few days to enjoy and entertain themselves.
Matt , it is truly difficult to speak of White Rock as a ‘given and attractive, exciting destination for tourists or any visitors, the way hospitality and ‘entertainment’ component are concerned.
Not even a gas station open after 10 PM in White Rock. You want to fill up gas or get other service you must travel to Surrey.
Give time and BIA five more years and one may see a change of positive nature.
What can we do on five square kilometers of area to play on? White Rock has no ‘vacancies’ anymore. Sold out!
With best regards and appreciation for what you try to do I wish you and council good luck and progress in what you attempt to do for White Rock, BC.
Johan
Matt Todd Says:
February 5th, 2008 at 9:43 amVisit Matt Todd
Memorial Park is located between the pier washrooms and tourism kiosk, Marine Drive and the promenade.