Surrey/South Fraser Updates

[Whalleyboy]

so apparently the outpatient hospital is 5 months ahead of schedule

[WaxItYourself]

so apparently the outpatient hospital is 5 months ahead of schedule

isn't it suppose to be done sometimes in 2011?

[WaxItYourself]

SURREY – Partnerships BC and Fraser Health have released the Project Report: Achieving Value for Money for the Surrey Outpatient Hospital project.

The project report summarizes key information about the project, including the final total costs, as well as qualitative and quantitative benefits of being delivered as a public-private partnership. The report explains how value for money was measured and how it is expected to be achieved. The final agreement with BC Healthcare Solutions is expected to achieve value for taxpayers’ dollars of $22.6 million compared to a project delivered using traditional procurement.

The new four-storey outpatient hospital is expected to accommodate approximately 450,000 annual outpatient visits when it opens, rising to 600,000 annual patient visits by 2020, and will provide 17,500 square metres (188,000 square feet) of new space and better facilities for day surgeries, health clinics and family medicine. The size of the Surrey Outpatient Hospital has increased 30 per cent from the initial concept plan in 2005 as a result of extensive planning by Fraser Health.

The Surrey Outpatient Hospital is designed to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification. Highlights of the patient-focused facility include:

* Expanded day surgery and diagnostic services, including six operating rooms and 10 procedure rooms with further expansion capability.
* New state-of-the-art medical equipment, including an MRI and two CT scanners, radiology, bone density, ultrasound, mammography, nuclear medicine and cardiac diagnostic equipment.
* Extensive space for clinics, including:
- Chronic disease, such as asthma and diabetes;
- Peri-natal;
- Surgical clinics;
- A breast health program that will provide significantly faster diagnosis for patients; and
- A urology clinic for patients dealing with conditions such as kidney stones and prostate health.
* A primary care area that will provide clinics for seniors and for people living with chronic diseases or with HIV/AIDS.
* Improved service to outpatients through convenient access and faster turnaround times. Features include one-stop appointment scheduling, a streamlined admission and discharge process, enabling information technology and teams of multi-disciplinary health professionals for patients with complex care needs.
* Consolidation and location of services focusing on the patient experience to create opportunities for more efficient use of resources.
* A facility atrium that includes provision for retail space for a commercial pharmacy and food and retail services, education and meeting space, and information areas.
* More than 600 parking spaces, including both underground and surface parking.

Construction of the outpatient hospital has begun and will be completed by April 2011. The private partner is BC Healthcare Solutions, who will design, build, finance and maintain the new facility.

All clinical health services will be funded by the Province of British Columbia and provided by Fraser Health, in accordance with the Canada Health Act.

The Project Report is available at www.partnershipsbc.ca (http://www.partnershipsbc.ca)
Just came into my RSS feed this morning.

[metroXpress]

Businesses: fix this 'tunnel'
Merchants say off-ramp desperately needed - "hundreds of thousands of dollars in wallets are driving by every day."
Tom Zytaruk, Surrey Now
Published: Thursday, June 18, 2009

SURREY - Merchants in South Surrey and White Rock have protested a lack of access to U.S. tourists' dollars ever since the Pacific Highway was paved in 1923.

"There is no sign of any account along the Pacific Highway to indicate at what point the visitor is to turn to get into White Rock," a Surrey Gazette editorial lamented on May 8, 1924. Eighty-five years later, it's not so much the Pacific Highway that's the hassle, but Highway 99.

Continuing northward from the I-5, the highway has only two off-ramps into the White Rock-South Surrey area, at 8th Avenue, and King George Highway. The considerable stretch in between serves more like a concrete moat that separates the Peninsula from the rest of Surrey. From the highway, tourists heading north can see stores and restaurants they'd no doubt like to visit, but they just can't get to them. And by the time they reach the King George off ramp, they'd just as soon head into North Surrey or continue on into Vancouver.

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/media.canada.com/282673bf-1acf-417f-ac0c-192ad0df93e0/off-ramp_sryjun18.jpg

"It's like a tunnel all the way to Vancouver," laments Jay Fettinger, president of the WRSS Chamber. Ultimately, South Surrey and White Rock merchants have had it with being cut off from U.S. business. So, the White Rock & South Surrey Chamber of Commerce, Surrey Board of Trade, White Rock Business Improvement Association, Cloverdale Chamber of Commerce and Cloverdale Business Improvement Association have joined their considerable forces to lobby the provincial Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to build a northbound off-ramp at 24th Avenue.

Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts has added her voice to the cause and says city hall is calling on new transportation minister Shirley Bond to build the ramp.

"We're building that shopping district up...we've been pushing for that (ramp) for a number of years," Watts said. "We'll continue to work with the ministry." Interestingly, Health Minister Kevin Falcon, who used to be B.C.'s minister of transportation, indicated that under his watch the ministry was never approached by the city with an offer to move forward with a ramp, and, "as such, it never really got anywhere."

Fettinger noted that in Washington State the I-5 has off-ramps galore, leading motorists to gas stations and fast food joints. But up here, if travellers heading north miss the 8th Avenue exit, "there's no way to get off the highway. You're basically clearing the whole entire area."

That includes more than gas stations - we're talking entire shopping districts. Fettinger observed that while an off-ramp at 24th Avenue would cost about $6 million to build, to do nothing would be considerably more costly to the B.C. economy simply because the U.S. tourists can't get to the many stores in the south.

"Hundreds of thousands of dollars in wallets are driving by every day." He noted that the government has pumped all kinds of money into refurbishing the Peace Arch border crossing in anticipation of the winter Olympics next year. It would be a crying shame, say those calling for the ramp, if the Peninsula remained cut off during the Olympics.

"We want to get this thing going - we want it going now," Fettinger said. Local chambers of commerce and boards of trade have been sending letters to the ministry of transportation's regional manager, John Schnablegger, to that end.

Schnablegger told the Now on Thursday that the ministry of transportation is willing to partner with the City of Surrey and TransLink to see an off-ramp built at 24th Avenue.

"We have no problem with off-ramps," he said. But one won't be built in time for the Olympics, he added. The ministry's funding is "totally committed" up until 2013.


© Surrey Now 2009

http://www2.canada.com/surreynow/news/story.html?id=1e0edb0a-3184-4fa0-98ab-d589d449886f

[Whalleyboy]

http://www.surrey.ca/NR/rdonlyres/4D9EB6F7-A95D-4E88-B414-7053207BFB8E/0/NTCJune4PublicPresentation.pdf

newton town centre plans

[officedweller]

Nice - Thanks.

Of note:

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/4633/77011163.png (http://img31.imageshack.us/i/77011163.png/)

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/7204/39569663.png (http://img31.imageshack.us/i/39569663.png/)

Looks like the LRT diverts onto the InterUrban ROW:
http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/8061/37059174.png (http://img31.imageshack.us/i/37059174.png/)

[metroXpress]

^ The rendering for the King George Hwy Rapid Bus looks great! So lanes are reserved for buses only :)

Also, I do hope that they plant taller trees rather than the small young ones.

LRT is the blue line going up right?

[metroXpress]

More Cultural Capital art arrives
Jump to Comments

As part of the 2008 Cultural Capitals program, six public art projects were funded across the City. The first showed up months ago – life sized carvings of historical people along Cloverdale’s Main St. The latest to be unveiled are Spatial Connections.

This project will create visual markers supporting and enhancing active and positive community use of the City Centre Walking Loop Greenway.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3623/3631041961_ea0acf78b9.jpg?v=1245132854

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3333/3631881878_8fa10b3d87.jpg?v=0


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3331/3631859048_f8a267451c.jpg?v=0


http://www.civicsurrey.com/?p=308

[Whalleyboy]

^ The rendering for the King George Hwy Rapid Bus looks great! So lanes are reserved for buses only :)

Also, I do hope that they plant taller trees rather than the small young ones.

LRT is the blue line going up right?

yeah its the blue one but theres a couple ways it might work

[metroXpress]

yeah its the blue one but theres a couple ways it might work

Great..If LRT really is going to run on that route, people would be able to go to Scott Road station using the LRT. Let's hope that the LRT will run up to Braid station:P

I really like the whole draft plan, thanks for posting it for us.

(crashed my computer several times....so many pages!)

[Whalleyboy]

so i just came across these. thought i'd share
there images of 140th street expansion

http://www.surrey.ca/NR/rdonlyres/D4B5A5ED-EC05-415F-A186-841974C0F17B/47989/Prop140St1PublicMtgSheet3.pdf

http://www.surrey.ca/NR/rdonlyres/D4B5A5ED-EC05-415F-A186-841974C0F17B/47990/Prop140St2PublicMtgSheet4.pdf

[Whalleyboy]

so looks like an outdoor nature activity place is planed for green timbers
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/whalley_boy/greentimbersnatureplace.jpg

[SpongeG]

neat

[Whalleyboy]

i thought so its nice they put more to green timbers
as it stands its just a place to walk and fish right now...pretty lame actually

really makes me hope they go through with the mini aquarium there
also i wish they'd add a swimming lake some where in it too

[metroXpress]

^ yes, living in harmony with nature is still very important. Despite the fact that Surrey is not the City of Parks but the City for Future...they should still plant more timbers to make it a great and eco-friendly community!

[metroXpress]

Games Preparation Centre in Surrey:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2466/3631856424_d3e81779b7.jpg?v=1245132862

More pics and complete update, please visit:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=4323450#post4323450

[metroXpress]

Downtown developments update [pics]

A number of construction projects are wrapping up in the Downtown area. This post features pictures of D’Corize, near West Whalley Ring Road and 104 Ave; CityPoint, near Gateway Station; and Urban Village, at 133 St and 102 A Ave. Keeping reading for more pictures.

Urban Village

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3401/3631853472_9d05a8803d.jpg?v=1245132804

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3317/3631854048_83dccf3768.jpg?v=1245132820

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2472/3631856720_a91416279e.jpg?v=1245132871


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3315/3631850650_668e564c3b.jpg?v=1245132751

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3592/3631850162_c13227abf6.jpg?v=1245132734

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3322/3631849906_b294dacceb.jpg?v=1245132725

D’Corize

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3638/3632029492_9e412652b4.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3416/3631043527_b6ac56bda3.jpg?v=1245132904

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3634/3631853018_8ac9b48ba5.jpg?v=1245132787

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3625/3631853262_32cfce91c5.jpg?v=1245132796

CityPoint

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3322/3631855238_a7e583d168.jpg?v=1245132840

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3659/3631038377_7cedbe3e83.jpg?v=1245132779

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3597/3631036795_39fa7c1b2c.jpg?v=1245132759

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2285/3631848114_82f42e35fb.jpg?v=1245133204

http://www.civicsurrey.com/?p=322

[Whalleyboy]

should have went with city centre area thread=P

[mr.A]

The jewel of Whalley
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3619/3663287383_5eb85ac2df.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3646/3663284017_a65df2b58c.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3365/3663285865_6b356b113c.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2459/3664091506_76502897a3.jpg?v=0
this is the new north entrance
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3402/3664093206_6893a67b97.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2559/3664094956_c5b5d789cd.jpg?v=0
this is the new south entrance

[metroXpress]

should have went with city centre area thread=P

was going to ....but I thought that thread needs a different titile like:

"Surrey City Centre Updates" rather than "City Centre redevelopment plans"

[metroXpress]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2559/3664094956_c5b5d789cd.jpg?v=0
this is the new south entrance


Now this is exciting...thanks for the pics!

[osirisboy]

wow holland park seems really nice. Hopefully one day I will get a chance to go out there. thanks for all the pics

[Kwik-E-Mart]

Once the entire area gets densified, the park will be even better. Highly looking forward to that day!

[rbostyle]

I can't wait to enjoy the park during Fusion Fest this year (was overseas last year, but heard great things)

Random: Does anyone know of any activity at all with plans/concepts/proposals for the old Surrey Public Market site at 64th and King George?

[Whalleyboy]

i can't wait for more events to start coming to the park

[metroXpress]

I was at Central City Mall again (I am there too often...) and I noticed that they took off the construction fences for Bed Bath and Beyond. Now you can fully see the exterior of this retail store and the interior as well. It has a very bright and clean design.

Also, Central City Mall now has the new recycling bins for cans/bottles. Way to go! :)

[WaxItYourself]

I was at Central City Mall again (I am there too often...) and I noticed that they took off the construction fences for Bed Bath and Beyond. Now you can fully see the exterior of this retail store and the interior as well. It has a very bright and clean design.

Also, Central City Mall now has the new recycling bins for cans/bottles. Way to go! :)

Yeah. I live right across the street from it and am there far too often myself. They actually took the fences down about a week ago. They were giving interviews for the people who were applying for jobs there about a week and a half ago in the store where the Christmas Bureau use to be and told us that it would be calling us back in about two weeks if we got the job. They also have the sign up front over top of Ricky's as well as a sign out back beside the Brick sign. I think it's going to open up sometime in the next few weeks.

[metroXpress]

^ great to talk to people who go their often like you.

If you noticed the Farm Fresh Produce (orignally...well..still a division of Kin's Farm Market), they have great prices there! It gets very busy these days.

Also, they moved the chairs, plants to the middle of the open space there...in front of The Brick. I wonder what they will have to do when it comes to the Brick's Big Tent Sale? They will have to move it again....

[WaxItYourself]

^ great to talk to people who go their often like you.

If you noticed the Farm Fresh Produce (orignally...well..still a division of Kin's Farm Market), they have great prices there! It gets very busy these days.

Also, they moved the chairs, plants to the middle of the open space there...in front of The Brick. I wonder what they will have to do when it comes to the Brick's Big Tent Sale? They will have to move it again....

They usually just move everything to the middle of the circular thing when the brick has sales. I use to go there quite a bit and look at what sales they had one. some of them are pretty good. I've actually been meaning to get a new couch and chair. Have you noticed some of the new stores going in lately aside from Bed Bath and Beyond. They have something upstairs called Visilio or something like that. The personal motorization place for older and disabled people moved downstairs as well and they are even offering chairs for disabled now and have a whole lot more room for products. I just wish they'd move a Starbucks by Futureshop to take some of the lineup off of Tim Hortons and have access to food and beverages at the other end of the mall. My roommate also wants a bodyshop.

[SpongeG]

that hallway between future shop and winners needs a little food/coffee kiosk

[metroXpress]

They usually just move everything to the middle of the circular thing when the brick has sales. I use to go there quite a bit and look at what sales they had one. some of them are pretty good. I've actually been meaning to get a new couch and chair. Have you noticed some of the new stores going in lately aside from Bed Bath and Beyond. They have something upstairs called Visilio or something like that. The personal motorization place for older and disabled people moved downstairs as well and they are even offering chairs for disabled now and have a whole lot more room for products. I just wish they'd move a Starbucks by Futureshop to take some of the lineup off of Tim Hortons and have access to food and beverages at the other end of the mall. My roommate also wants a bodyshop.

yea ! I noticed that the motorization place thing was moved downstairs. Also, they are going to open a new buster juice at the original veggie garden thing at the food court. The "organic" veggie garden thing is now between fairweather and Bentley.....right in the middle. Also, Smart set was opened last year and there is also the shoe store...what's the other chain store called besides Payless shoe source?? Also, noticed the Visilio thing ~

That Tim Horton is pretty busy...sometimes I sit there all afternoon.

The circular concourse in front of The Brick does get quite hot in sunny days...I wonder if the sofas are ok or not. You don't want them directly under the sun.

[WaxItYourself]

yea ! I noticed that the motorization place thing was moved downstairs. Also, they are going to open a new buster juice at the original veggie garden thing at the food court. The "organic" veggie garden thing is now between fairweather and Bentley.....right in the middle. Also, Smart set was opened last year and there is also the shoe store...what's the other chain store called besides Payless shoe source?? Also, noticed the Visilio thing ~

That Tim Horton is pretty busy...sometimes I sit there all afternoon.

The circular concourse in front of The Brick does get quite hot in sunny days...I wonder if the sofas are ok or not. You don't want them directly under the sun.I've sat on a few sofas there but the ones that probably get the warmest are the leather ones. I don't really enjoy sitting on leather furniture so more than likely I haven't sat on one of those in the center of the circle lol. But yeah, the place is shaping up nicely. It sucks that so many good stores are moving out as well though. I think Surrey Place must have upped their rent or something recently.

[SpongeG]

yea ! I noticed that the motorization place thing was moved downstairs. Also, they are going to open a new buster juice at the original veggie garden thing at the food court. The "organic" veggie garden thing is now between fairweather and Bentley.....right in the middle. Also, Smart set was opened last year and there is also the shoe store...what's the other chain store called besides Payless shoe source?? Also, noticed the Visilio thing ~

That Tim Horton is pretty busy...sometimes I sit there all afternoon.

The circular concourse in front of The Brick does get quite hot in sunny days...I wonder if the sofas are ok or not. You don't want them directly under the sun.

the shoe company

[WaxItYourself]

the shoe company

There are 3 or 4 shoes stores in the mall. The Shoe Company is the newest. There is also SportMart and the one across from the La Senza, Payless shoes, and the Shoe Warehouse downstairs.

[Whalleyboy]

I've sat on a few sofas there but the ones that probably get the warmest are the leather ones. I don't really enjoy sitting on leather furniture so more than likely I haven't sat on one of those in the center of the circle lol. But yeah, the place is shaping up nicely. It sucks that so many good stores are moving out as well though. I think Surrey Place must have upped their rent or something recently.

Central City raise the lease rate quite a while back. From what i've heard its way over priced for right now.

[metroXpress]

Thanks SpongeG....it is the Shoe Company.


By the way, the Face Shop was closed down...and the fashion store too! It was called Winnie, I believe. (right beside Rogers/ across from the Face Shop)

[Spork]

Some of the stores that open up in Central City are too funny. They have no business model and have nonexistent marketing efforts.

[SpongeG]

the face is already in guildford

it is btw if you didn't know a chain from Korea and apparently a lot of people don't like them or like shopping at it

with its transit connections and built in student population it really should be better - they should add a daiso

[CoryHolmes]

By the way, the Face Shop was closed down...and the fashion store too! It was called Winnie, I believe. (right beside Rogers/ across from the Face Shop)

I hated that store. Way too bright, it hurt my eyes. No store should ever be that white.

And yeah, most of the stores that close seem to be run by people with little or no business experience. Of course, some stores run by people like that, such as Craving For A Game, end up doing quite well.

[metroXpress]

^^^

I hated that store. Way too bright, it hurt my eyes. No store should ever be that white.

I agree...it hurts my eyes as well!!!

Same as the cosmetic/health and beauty department in T&T...it's so bright down that aisle!!

[go_leafs_go02]

http://surreycivic.com/

you'll get a kick out of this.

Some resident thinks his local road is mortally dangerous..

check out some of his videos.

Just wow.

[metroXpress]

I really enjoyed the improvements on Hwy10 and Hwy15...not much to add

[ambaUp]

http://surreycivic.com/

you'll get a kick out of this.

Some resident thinks his local road is mortally dangerous..

check out some of his videos.

Just wow.

Man, that guy has an annoying voice. I love how the intersection of death has never had one accident.

[Whalleyboy]

station tower and Cornerstone I and II are now 3d in google earth in surrey
one guy made a couple model and those are the ones that got excepted he made some other good ones i noticed i hope they get accept soon too

[metroXpress]

Does anyone know what's going on beside Newton Wave Pool...is there an expansion project going on?

[Whalleyboy]

yeah its an expansion
i'll look for the details later and post them

[Whalleyboy]

oh yeah they put out the new city centre major development things again nothing new just status have changed for some

[hollywoodnorth]

learn how to google people ;) >>

http://www.surrey.ca/Whats+New/News+Releases/Current/March/Newton+Wave+Pool+Expansion+%E2%80%93+Ground+breaking.htm

http://www.surrey.ca/NR/rdonlyres/EA861B1E-4D4A-4C39-812E-61EBEB313448/46009/pr11.jpg

Go FALCO Go!

[metroXpress]

^ ah..thanks!

And this:
http://www.surrey.ca/NR/rdonlyres/EA861B1E-4D4A-4C39-812E-61EBEB313448/46010/pr22.jpg

[LeftCoaster]

Falcon looks like such a nerd.

[Diet Butcher]

Here is the Update Surrey put out for Major Projects

Map: http://www.surrey.ca/NR/rdonlyres/ECE152AB-6BEF-42D0-B3DE-B6924E8A0D98/48862/JULY102009_CITY_CENTRE_MAJOR_PROJECTS.pdf

Status Update:

http://www.surrey.ca/NR/rdonlyres/ECE152AB-6BEF-42D0-B3DE-B6924E8A0D98/48861/MajorProjectsinSCCasatJuly102009.pdf

[rbostyle]

station tower and Cornerstone I and II are now 3d in google earth in surrey
one guy made a couple model and those are the ones that got excepted he made some other good ones i noticed i hope they get accept soon too
You've gotta start paying attention to usernames ;)
- Next on my list is the Observatory, Mayflower and Infinity I.

(For those who don't feel like loading up Google Earth, these are what I've uploaded so far: http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/search?viewer=18203684357417247652 )

[metroXpress]

^ no wonder...you are in ND as well. ;)

Those familiar places that I go everyday...

[metroXpress]

Also, found this banner:

http://www.tourismsurrey.com/images/tourismsurrey_page_header_OURMEMBERSHIP.jpg

It's Surrey Art's Centre..in Bear Creek Park!

[Whalleyboy]

You've gotta start paying attention to usernames ;)
- Next on my list is the Observatory, Mayflower and Infinity I.

(For those who don't feel like loading up Google Earth, these are what I've uploaded so far: http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/search?viewer=18203684357417247652 )

wait who are you...jk i was tired it was a long day

awesome to hear about those ones
i personally am looking forward to you doing central tower and mall model

[Whalleyboy]

oh yeah well your at it you should do the skytrain through out surrey=P

[metroXpress]

I hope to see in the future that Surrey Central City station becomes a massive transportation hub that links several transit lines to the Fraser Valley~

[paradigm4]

Does anyone know what's going on beside Newton Wave Pool...is there an expansion project going on?

Expansion of the rec centre. Putting in a gym and two "mat" rooms.

[paradigm4]

I hope to see in the future that Surrey Central City station becomes a massive transportation hub that links several transit lines to the Fraser Valley~

I agree! SkyTrain, Light Rail, bus depot, taxis, bikes... What do you envisage?

[rbostyle]

I agree! SkyTrain, Light Rail, bus depot, taxis, bikes... What do you envisage?
Maybe a water taxi too if that lake-based proposal goes through ;)

[WaxItYourself]

I hope to see in the future that Surrey Central City station becomes a massive transportation hub that links several transit lines to the Fraser Valley~

I'm hoping that it does too. I wish they would find soem way to get the interurban there when it begins again in the next few years but I have a feeling the site for the last stop for the inter urban will be at either Scott Road Station or Columbia.

[CoryHolmes]

I agree! SkyTrain, Light Rail, bus depot, taxis, bikes... What do you envisage?

Maglev, roof-top automated people movers, jet-pad for flying power armours... Well you asked! :P

[metroXpress]

I'm hoping that it does too. I wish they would find soem way to get the interurban there when it begins again in the next few years but I have a feeling the site for the last stop for the inter urban will be at either Scott Road Station or Columbia.

Yes, because looking at the geographic location of Central City in the Southeast Coast of BC, it is very "central"!

They should start working on the plans for all those and build a mega hub including bus loops and perhaps a huge downtown passageway!

:tup:

[Bockboy]

http://quizzes.macleans.ca/cities/

This is a link to a Macleans articale showing The Best and Worst Cities in Canada sorted by different indicators. Check out the "Economic Development" and the "Total Efficiency" column.

[WaxItYourself]

http://quizzes.macleans.ca/cities/

This is a link to a Macleans articale showing The Best and Worst Cities in Canada sorted by different indicators. Check out the "Economic Development" and the "Total Efficiency" column.

Wow. We have 3 of the top 4 in the lower mainland.

[metroXpress]

^nice!!

[WaxItYourself]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/BumFluff/22540surreysobering.jpg

A long-awaited sobering centre is one step closer to reality.

Surrey council gave preliminary approval this week to a 96-bed facility that will be located across the street from Surrey Memorial Hospital on 94A Avenue.

The planned location is beside Phoenix Centre (drug and alcohol treatment) and Creekside Withdrawal Management Centre.

A key part of the city's Crime Reduction Strategy, a sobering centre would provide a place for people who are intoxicated and causing a public disturbance to sober up.

Those people are currently taken to jail or the Surrey Memorial Hospital emergency ward.

Mayor Dianne Watts has said the facility has been given approval at every level of government and is currently staged for an operating fund contribution from the Fraser Health Authority.

Proponents at Monday afternoon's meeting said they still haven't received definitive word from FHA that operational funding is on the way, but they feel secure enough to begin the process to build the facility.

Construction is expected to begin early next year.

The facility will include 32 stabilization and transitional living beds, 44 supportive housing beds and 20 spaces for people from the street needing to sober up of come down from drugs.

Surrey councillors said they were pleased to see the project finally moving forward.

Source (http://www.bclocalnews.com/surrey_area/surreyleader/news/50974957.html)

[metroXpress]

Was down at the Fusion Festival @ Holland Park...anyone here went there as well?

http://www.tourismsurrey.com/content/images/fuisonBackground525.jpg

[SpongeG]

Major U.S. home retailer opens doors this week in Surrey mall (http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Major+home+retailer+opens+doors+this+week+Surrey+mall/1812463/story.html)

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/www.vancouversun.com/business/major+home+retailer+opens+doors+this+week+surrey+mall/1812463/1811098.bin
Greg Dyer (centre, in blue), regional manager of Bed Bath & Beyond for Canada, and his crew prepare for Wednesday's planned opening of the retail chain's Surrey location at the Central City shopping centre. The store will be the company's first in B.C.Photograph by: Glenn Baglo, Vancouver Sun, Vancouver Sun

[metroXpress]

^ cool...I saw them training their cashier last weekend :)

[WaxItYourself]

Was down at the Fusion Festival @ Holland Park...anyone here went there as well?

http://www.tourismsurrey.com/content/images/fuisonBackground525.jpg

I was there on Sunday during the last cirque de soleil performance. IT was an incredible atmosphere. I remember when the park was still in it's old style before the fountain and everything else came in when it was completely covered in trees and there were a few paths and a couple gardens. It's become quite a lot better. I also remember going there with a friend of mine and playign some badminton every now and then before the upgrades. When we use to walk through the woods there use to be clothing scattered all over the place and matresses and needles now and then.

[metroXpress]

^ I was there on Sunday as well....that Holland Park seemes bigger with all those tents/booths :) I really enjoy the whole festival despite the fact that it was scaled down to 2 days instead of 3. (recession...ah) Hopefully we will have three days next year :)

[theQ]

I heard that last year the festival was made possible by a grant by the federal government. At the time it was supposed to be a one time only event. But there was such a response and people expressed that they wanted to have it again. Luckily the city and several sponsors steped in and funded a two day event.

I was impressed that it went so late on Sunday, I've been to quite a few weekend events that start Friday evening, but wind up around dinner time on Sunday. This festival was only two days this year, but it finished around 10:15pm on Sunday... I'm hoping that they go back to 3 days next year too! I'm curious to hear what the numbers were. I know that at dinner time on Saturday it was hard to find food tickets to buy, two of the three food ticket counters ran out of tickets are we were told they wouldn't have more for about half an hour, so we had to wait in a really long line-up by the food tent. I took that as meaning that they sold more tickets than anticipated and that the festival was a success (either that or really bad planning).

[metroXpress]

^ that's true...(the grant from the federal goverment) because in 2008, Surrey, BC was named the winner of the 2008 Cultural Capital of Canada Award!!

http://www.theatrebc.org/M2008/Images/Cultural_Capitals_logo2.jpg

[metroXpress]

FUSION FESTIVAL PHOTO GALLERY

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/media.canada.com/gallery/2009_jul20_09/gallery1_sryjul20.jpg

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/media.canada.com/gallery/2009_jul20_09/gallery2_sryjul20.jpg

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/media.canada.com/gallery/2009_jul20_09/gallery3_sryjul20.jpg

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/media.canada.com/gallery/2009_jul20_09/gallery4_sryjul20.jpg

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/media.canada.com/gallery/2009_jul20_09/gallery5_sryjul20.jpg

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/media.canada.com/gallery/2009_jul20_09/gallery6_sryjul20.jpg

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/media.canada.com/gallery/2009_jul20_09/gallery7_sryjul20.jpg

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/media.canada.com/gallery/2009_jul20_09/gallery8_sryjul20.jpg



Source: Surrey Now http://www2.canada.com/surreynow/galleries/largetemplate.html?topic=2009_jul20_09&g=0

[Whalleyboy]

i was there on saturday and i didnt go sunday but could hear everything lol
it was great to see so many people there and was cool how cultural diverse the crowd was
me and my friend where amazed that it was actually hard to tell what was the main race there and which was the minority

also it was good to see they opened up the new washrooms there too in time for the festival

[metroXpress]

^ indeed....and the port-o-potties installed there were the cleanest ones I've ever seen :)

[Whalleyboy]

i think if they keep this type of festival going there gonna have a need to build a main stage at holland park

[metroXpress]

^ they are going to have the huge 2010 live celebration site @ Holland Park during the Olympics.

[Whalleyboy]

i know that but thats a one time thing lol
but i look forward to more events coming to holland park down the line
if only we could steal canada day from cloverdale lol

[metroXpress]

^ no kidding...I would like to see Canada Day in Surrey City Centre :haha:

[Whalleyboy]

even if its a secondary smaller one i'd be happy
cause the history is there with it being in cloverdale

[Whalleyboy]

2009 Flavours of Surrey

The second annual Flavours of Surrey will feature local chefs who will prepare a delicious array of food with a focus on Surrey grown ingredients. Along with food-tasting, there will be beer and wine sampling and live entertainment from Wheat in the Barley, Jennifer Kennedy, and the Dixie Strollers.

New this year, the event includes a farmer’s market where you can buy local produce direct from Surrey farms as well as local artisans selling pottery, paintings, jewellery, and photography.

There will also be plenty of kid’s activities including interactive educational information, farm animals, seed planting, face painting and potato sack races.

It will be an afternoon of food, fun, and festivities for the whole family!






Sunday, July 26, 2009
12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.
Historic Stewart Farm
13723 Crescent Road
http://www.surrey.ca/Doing+Business/Agriculture+and+Farming/Flavours+of+Surrey+Events/2009+Flavours+of+Surrey/default.htm

sadly i wont be around for this one. i really wanted to do the beer tasting

[metroXpress]

^ don't think I am going to go to this one either. heading to the open house @ Van City Centre on Saturday...and then resting on Sunday :)

[Whalleyboy]

i wont be around for either it sucks

[jlousa]

Looks like Surrey is getting on the District energy bandwagon as well, lots of interesting details about Surrey's plans for the future in the document below. Maybe someone can cut and paste the interesting stuff and share it on here.

http://www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca/open.dll/downloadFile?sessionID=20690835&charID=14721355&disID=14721324&blobID=3066310&filetype=Blob

[theQ]

Jamaican Festival
Holland Park
Sunday August 2nd
10am - 7pm
Reggea Music, Food, Cricket

I wish I could go (I live a block away) but have to work. Just read about it today - anyone going?

http://http://www.surrey.ca/Visiting+Surrey/Events/Event+Pages/PRC+Events/Jamaican+Festival.htm

[SpongeG]

there is a pakistani festival coming to surrey on august 16th too - the first onee ever

[metroXpress]

Oh yes...

The Fleetwood Festival is coming up as well.

Time:11:00am-3:00pm

Date:September 12th, 2009

Location:Fleetwood Community Centre
15996 - 84 Avenue

For:Everyone

Cost:Free

Description: Come out and celebrate the 11th Annual Fleetwood Festival in a day of fun, excitement and celebration.

For Information:
604-501-5030


http://www.surrey.ca/Visiting+Surrey/Events/Event+Pages/PRC+Events/Fleetwood+Community+Festival.htm


The website is old...they didn't update the page :(

[SpongeG]

here is the one for Pakistan Festival - previous years it was held at various wedding halls in Surrey - seems they want to make it bigger and better by moving it to Holland Park...

http://www.pakistanfestival.com/images/poster.jpg

[Whalleyboy]

Jamaican Festival
Holland Park
Sunday August 2nd
10am - 7pm
Reggea Music, Food, Cricket

I wish I could go (I live a block away) but have to work. Just read about it today - anyone going?

http://http://www.surrey.ca/Visiting+Surrey/Events/Event+Pages/PRC+Events/Jamaican+Festival.htm
i live about a block to and i plan on checking it out

[metroXpress]

^ maybe you two live in the same complex?

[Whalleyboy]

i live in a house just off east whalley ring

anyways now for new news
all from
civicsurrey

Talks underway for an Aboriginal Interpretive Centre

Evolving from the Kla-how-eya Aboriginal Centre’s desires to build a sweatlodge in a city park in 2007, a vision for a potential Aboriginal Cultural Centre (http://surrey.ihostez.com/FileStorage/613761C2B8B948DFACD75621C7E844E7-R098.pdf) at Brownsville Bar Park has emerged.

The centre would include a long-house style structure that includes a teaching and presentation centre, a dedicated area for four sweat lodge hoops, two dedicated teepee sites, four composting toilets, a floating dock, and a shed for constructing and storing cedar canoes.

Kla-how-eya has the support of the City and council with the project and is currently seeking additional funding to hire a consultant to develop a feasibility study for the Interpretive Centre.
http://www.civicsurrey.com/2009/08/09/talks-underway-for-an-aboriginal-interpretive-centre/

Joe Brown Park upgrades soon

Following local residential concern in 2004 surrounding a section of the park known as Colebrook Pit, the City has been collaboratively developing a new vision (http://surrey.ihostez.com/FileStorage/70579A8BA120491CAAC881794E2B3E42-R149.pdf) for Joe Brown Park. Colebrook Pit was a former city-owned quarry and designated to be restored as parkland.

Joe Brown Park is unique in the city in that it is one of the few public equestrian areas in Surrey.

The new plan, to be completed over the next ten years, is prominently focused on nature-based uses. It will include a section of the Serpentine Greenway, as well as other recreational trails, equestrian trailers, viewpoints, and habitat management and enhancement areas. A newly formed terraced mound will maximize ocean views from the highest point in the park. Most of the western portion of the park should be upgraded within five years.
http://www.civicsurrey.com/2009/08/09/joe-brown-park-upgrades-soon/

Cloverdale Mall update

The Cloverdale Mall site, which the City currently owns, had been up for sale for over a year. The hope was to find a developer who would transform the site into a mixed-use residential & commercial quarter abutting the Town Centre, which would help stimulate further development of the area. However, due to the economic recession, a buyer could not be found for the lot.

The City sought the help (http://surrey.ihostez.com/FileStorage/8E97355AB567499688BB5074C6EA2A31-R144.pdf) of its semi-private Development Corporation arm, which determined that the large area, while important to be a comprehensive development, would be easier to redevelop in phases than as one large project. It is currently engaged with Patrick Cotter Architects to develop a phased master plan for the site.

A public consultation is expected to occur in the fall, while the first phase, a partnership between the Surrey City Development Corp. and private developers, is expected to launch in early 2010.
http://www.civicsurrey.com/2009/08/09/cloverdale-mall-update/

96 Ave upgrades

The City recently signed a contract (http://surrey.ihostez.com/FileStorage/01D756E2A1154C9FAE8B95F8726D54B1-R135.pdf) to widen and install raised medians on 96 Ave between 128 St and 131 St. The upgrades are part of a plan to improve safety along the busy corridor. Construction will be complete by the end of year.
http://www.civicsurrey.com/2009/08/09/96-ave-upgrades/

Two replacement bridges under construction


Two new bridges have just begun construction – both across the Serpentine River.

Motorists on Fraser Highway will be driving over the new crossing (http://surrey.ihostez.com/FileStorage/527569F70E854DE68A672E387FEFD080-R106.pdf) this fall, when it is scheduled to be completed. That southern bridge is part of the Fraser Highway expansion to 4 lanes, currently with major work remaining in the Serpentine Flats and in Green Timbers. Following the completion of this bridge, the existing crossing will be torn down and replacement will begin on the northern portion.

Another bridge along King George Highway is currently under construction (http://surrey.ihostez.com/FileStorage/C8B2E78D069D46A6BDF9D2C0DE94F9A4-R081.pdf) and is also set for completion in the fall. 2 laned traffic will shift over to the new bridge. The old bridge, originally built in 1939 and at the end of it’s life, will eventually be removed and reconstructed as demand increases to expand King George to 4 lanes in the flats (expected to occur in about 5 years). The old bridge will be converted to pedestrian and cyclist use
http://www.civicsurrey.com/2009/08/09/two-replacement-bridges-under-construction/

[theQ]

I live in the FUSE a block from Holland Park...

[CoryHolmes]

I live in the FUSE a block from Holland Park...

How is that? I recently toured the 'for sale' suite and had so-so feelings about it. The one thing I thought was unusual was how the elevator from the parking garage didn't come up in a main building (because there isn't one) and instead came up inside the main courtyard. Kinda nifty, actually.

[metroXpress]

I live in the FUSE a block from Holland Park...

That's nice to hear:)

[theQ]

I think the FUSE is great. Our last place was a townhome, and this place feels quite a bit like a townhome too (as opposed to a condo). I imagine that our strata fees are less than a two level condo since there are no indoor hallways to heat. I like having the little courtyard with grass and paving stones in the middle of the complex, it feels very urban. In a regular townhome, there would be a road down the middle with a bunch of driveways, but since the parking is underground, we can have this nice little courtyard instead.

We have a three bedroom and den unit, facing East, and it's a end unit, so it's quite bright. The builder made these units feel and look quite modern and hip. All this to say that we're really pleased.

We moved here from a larger townhome in Sullivan. We found Sullivan to be a nice area, but it was in the middle of nowhere. I'm more of a city guy, so it's nice to be close to the Skytrain, a couple blocks from all the festivals in Holland Park, and just a few blocks from the mall and grocery stores. Now we're just hoping that the rest of the area gets developed and that the city follows through with the new city hall, and the SFU continues to expand and that the mall fills up... Don't get me wrong, we're pretty happy with Central City as it is now, but we're hoping that 2 years down the road it'll be even that much better. I still can't talk any of my friends into moving the Whalley and my wife's work colleagues (she's a teacher in White Rock) think that she's crazy - even though they haven't actually been to Whalley in years!

[Whalleyboy]

I think the FUSE is great. Our last place was a townhome, and this place feels quite a bit like a townhome too (as opposed to a condo). I imagine that our strata fees are less than a two level condo since there are no indoor hallways to heat. I like having the little courtyard with grass and paving stones in the middle of the complex, it feels very urban. In a regular townhome, there would be a road down the middle with a bunch of driveways, but since the parking is underground, we can have this nice little courtyard instead.

We have a three bedroom and den unit, facing East, and it's a end unit, so it's quite bright. The builder made these units feel and look quite modern and hip. All this to say that we're really pleased.

We moved here from a larger townhome in Sullivan. We found Sullivan to be a nice area, but it was in the middle of nowhere. I'm more of a city guy, so it's nice to be close to the Skytrain, a couple blocks from all the festivals in Holland Park, and just a few blocks from the mall and grocery stores. Now we're just hoping that the rest of the area gets developed and that the city follows through with the new city hall, and the SFU continues to expand and that the mall fills up... Don't get me wrong, we're pretty happy with Central City as it is now, but we're hoping that 2 years down the road it'll be even that much better. I still can't talk any of my friends into moving the Whalley and my wife's work colleagues (she's a teacher in White Rock) think that she's crazy - even though they haven't actually been to Whalley in years!

that seems to be what alot of people who think central is bad have in common

[metroXpress]

In defense of Whalley

By Kevin Diakiw - Surrey North Delta Leader

Published: August 14, 2009 6:00 AM

http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/8085surreyNichols_1726.jpg

Surrey’s northern community will always be Whalley, no matter how hard some try to shy from the name, a local business owner says.

Surrey is considering renaming Whalley Ring Road to City Centre Ring Road, which riles Pete Nichols, owner of Whalley Printers, a successful business for more than four decades.

The city’s proposal to rename the route is just the latest in a string of initiatives to rebrand the urban core of the community, which Nichols said is developer driven.

Bob Dominick, president of the Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association, said the BIA hasn’t had a chance to formally discuss the renaming.

But as a developer, Dominick loves it.

Whalley has historical importance to this city, but when the name is raised outside of Surrey, investors bristle.

“Whalley has a stigma attached to it of inner-city, no different than the east side of Vancouver,” Dominick said. He believes the “re-identifying” of the city centre will help market it as the next downtown core in the region.

“It puts a fresh clean look on an area that’s becoming exceptionally good in terms of what it has to offer,” Dominick said.

Some years ago, Surrey council chose to name Whalley’s commercial core City Centre. The largest tower in the community bears neither the name of Surrey or Whalley, which were purposely left off Central City’s moniker by the province when the building was being developed.

Nichols has operated his printing business with the Whalley name since 1983. The business has been in the area since 1968.

The community got its name from Arthur Whalley, who moved his family in 1925 from Cloverdale to a three-acre triangle of land at Ferguson Road (108 Avenue) and King George Highway. The family operated a service station, general store and tourist cabins at the site.

The municipality officially adopted the name in 1948.

Nichols said the city should be proud of the rich heritage behind the name, and should focus on improving the community rather than changing its title. He’s concerned that the name change is just the beginning.

“It seems that council has a lack of respect for Whalley’s, and indeed Surrey’s history. I feel strongly that this is just the first swing at removing the name Whalley from the map completely,” Nichols said. “I think that it is delusional to think that by changing the name of this community it will change people’s perception.”

He’s received a letter from the mayor saying the city has no intention of renaming the community.

Her letter also indicated the discussion occurred because of a recommendation from the transportation committee.

“If the community wants it to change, then the city should change it,” Nichols said Monday. “But the city shouldn’t be initiating this.”

Coun. Tom Gill agrees with Nichols’ sentiment and said he wants to see a full and open discussion with members of the community.

The mayor promised as much to Nichols in her letter.

“Let me be clear, we are not changing Whalley’s name,” Watts wrote. “We have significant history in the area... There is a process and council will ultimately make a decision after we go through the process.”

kdiakiw@surreyleader.com


http://www.bclocalnews.com/surrey_area/surreyleader/news/53174927.html

[Whalleyboy]

to be honest i dont think i mind the change of name i known so many people who have this thing with east whalley ring
which is stupid cause theres nothing really bad about