Editor:
You asked for a response to the million dollar wish list (The Aldergrove Star, March 1). You said they were asking for the moon. Here is my wish list, asking for the stars. But I don’t think it should be all that much more expensive than building a typical city. Let me know what you think.
I’m not sure I would want to be called an activist, though I too, dream big. I suppose an activist is just someone who acts upon his or her dreams, so I should at least share mine. I did go to some of the town meetings and heard ideas and saw drawings, none of which I was thrilled with.
The first one didn’t take into consideration those who take the bus. We need a bus terminal where it would be safe to wait at any hour and where the drivers can take their breaks and bus passengers can wait for rides elsewhere. I’d like a clean, warm, and safe place where I could buy a cup of tea between buses. The shelter we now have is a step up as it is dry. Why can’t the buses stop over by the ice rink?
A swimming pool was mentioned by the city planners, on the site of the old Aldergrove Elementary School. It just would be nice for it to happen sooner than later. And of course we would like it to be as nice as the one in Walnut Grove.
On reading comments to the new Aldergrove plans, I noticed several people wanted something unique, like Granville Island or Fort Langley. That gave me some dreams.
I lived for one year in a 2,000-year-old city in Germany. I love the old world feeling, especially after hours when the cafes are open and people hang out in the town centre. There is a large paved area that on Saturdays becomes a farmers’ market and before Christmas, a Kris Kringle market. It is a very community type of place. While I didn’t take part in the Million Dollar Neighbourhood, I wish some of those activities would continue for the rest of us as well. Wouldn’t it be neat if there were a city square to have community functions? And to have the supporting businesses, like a café and a swimming pool nearby. Not to mention the other community support activities that could be added.
If you want unique, why not make a medieval themed city? (Or at least the part south of Fraser Highway.) High rises just don’t fit the theme, but buildings of up to four stories would work. Aldergrove has a fairly high percentage of pedestrians: those who get around by foot or by bus. Make it pedestrian-friendly. And while we are at it, how about making it equestrian-friendly as well? We don’t want to stay a “poor” town, so zone some area like Highpoint nearby. I’d like to see residential lots for homes, plus horses, in the Horse Capital of Canada. And it would be neat if horses could be rode into town, stabled while the rider is shopping or having fun, and then be rode home again. Think about a restaurant where you could sit and watch riders, perhaps your own children, have a good time. Make horses and an inside arena more assessable. Horseback riding is good therapy for many disabilities, and Valley Therapeutic Equestrian Association helps many people.
And for those of us who are poor, challenged, or both, how about a communal area where there is cheap housing, support help, and a farming type of co-op not too far from downtown. The Catholic church has run one for hundreds of years in my German city. I know we separate the church from governmental activities but there are churches doing community support type of work. Why can’t we all work together?
I have more ideas on the layout and style of what I would like Aldergrove to look like, but don’t just ask me. The film companies already love us. Why not give them a backdrop for any medieval, fantasy, or Western film they would like to make? The Society for Creative Anachronisms should also be able to share some ideas.
I do not know of any town or city in North America that is medieval-themed and agrarian-based. Why not Aldergrove? The town plans were drawn as if no buildings exist south of Fraser Hwy. If we are starting over, let's come up with something special. Recreate the past on the south side of the highway, and the future north of it. I want safe, fast and efficient public transport from Vancouver to Chilliwack. Please build that into our future.
Tacoma, Washington has a castle for one of its high schools. When ACSS needs to be rebuilt, it could become a castle. Couldn’t it? The recreational centre could resemble a large manor house with a swimming pool in an early style of greenhouse.
Lets be creative and unique. I like my neighbours, but not the rundown, scary feeling I get in the city core. Building new buildings will not change things except to maybe make things so expensive the poor can’t afford to live here anymore. Lets include the poor but not let that define us.
Anyway, you asked for a response to those asking ‘for the moon’ with the swimming pool. I’ve given you ‘the stars’ I’d like to aim for.
Ruth MacLeod, Aldergrove