There appears to be huge interest in a new pool, arena, and other facilities at the site of Hammond Outdoor Pool, including some level of opposition by residents of that neighbourhood.
There was an open house at the Maple Ridge Public Library on Thursday, Feb. 1, with poster boards showing various features of rinks, aquatic facilities, outdoor spaces, arts and culture amenities, and more that could one day occupy the site. The public was invited to offer their input by putting sticky notes on the boards.
Shannon Lambie of Cornerstone Planning was one of the people greeting visitors, as her company has been contracted to help the city with public engagement.
Lambie noted that in the first week and a half, there were already some 1,300 surveys submitted online – which gives planners a good-sized sample of what the community wants.
“We’ve had a great response so far, which is nice,” she said.
The online survey will be available for five weeks, until Feb. 23. It can be found at engage.mapleridge.ca.
Thursday’s event was the first of three open houses for the community in general, and there will be a special meeting in Hammond on Saturday for neighbourhood residents. City staff have identified Hammond Community Park as a preferred site for rec facilities, which are deemed a high priority.
Hammond residents were out on Thursday, and expressed their reservations about the project.
“I’m very concerned about the disruption to the neighbourhood,” said Ross Selby, adding he hears neighbours who also have misgivings.
“They want to keep the ball fields – the Larry Walker legacy is important to the community,” he said. “If this is taken away, there’s not a lot of green space left.”
He said they also worry about increased traffic in the neighbourhood, which is already a thoroughfare for big trucks.
Other residents who did not want to be named expressed concerns about traffic, the loss of a “quiet neighbourhood,” and the importance of the Larry Walker field to residents.
James Rowley, who is the administrator of the Hammond Neighbours Facebook page, sees his neighbourhood as split over the project, with those who want upgrades to their pool and community centre less vocal than opponents.
“It fits in with a really healthy, walkable community that we’re building,” said Rowley.
He added that improved transit and active transportation infrastructure will need to be part of the city’s new build.
“We’re Hammond – we deserve nice things too,” he added.
Maple Ridge Mayor Dan Ruimy led a team of city staff at the open house, and spoke with residents about the proposed facilities. He said the city is still in the early stages of planning.
“All we’re doing now is trying to get people’s thoughts on what they would like to see there,” he said.
He noted the site is large enough to have an aquatic centre with an additional ice sheet, and possibly a community centre. The city will save $30 to $40 million in land costs by locating the new facilities there, rather than buying land, he noted.
“We’re not trying to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes, we’re being up-front and honest,” said Ruimy. “Come in and tell us what you think.”
He said council’s decisions will be impacted by financial considerations.
“We still have to decide how we’re paying for all this.”
“This is a long process. It doesn’t happen overnight. We’re not putting shovels in the ground tomorrow,” Ruimy added.
A Hammond neighbourhood focus session will be held on Feb. 3 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Hammond Community Centre.
The next open house will be Feb. 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre, and Feb. 15 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Planet Ice Arena.
The consultants expect to have a report to have a report to city hall by June.
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