November 2, 2005, North Vancouver, B.C. -- In commenting on District finances, District Councillor and Mayoralty candidate Richard Walton has emphasized the importance of finding creative solutions to stimulate the local economy and keep tax-paying businesses in North Vancouver. By seeking partnerships and innovative solutions, he said in his Newsletter last week, “we could achieve more than our District tax dollars alone can.” This week he has unveiled his idea for a North Vancouver mixed residential and business ‘bicycling-based’ community in Maplewood drawing manufacturers, retailers, tourists and lifestyle enthusiasts.
During the past several decades an active film community has built up locally around the presence of the Lions Gate Studios and generates significant economic activity within the District. Mountain biking has also developed around the slopes of Fromme and Seymour, but generates little revenue for the District beyond a handful of world-class bike shops. Many adventure tourists travel to the North Shore without staying or spending money in local businesses. Walton stated today that “the time is right for Council to capitalize on Maplewood’s unique Whistler-like location at the base of two mountains, and explore pushing forward to create a unique community.
Maplewood could become a world renowned vibrant community centred on cycling based activity. A North Shore Outdoor Adventure Centre at the Second Narrows Bridgehead could allow tourists, mountain bikers and hikers to leave their cars and take regular shuttles up the local mountains or into the Seymour Watershed area. This would reduce residential parking concerns in those areas and provide a hub for economic activity at the mountains’ base. The Maplewood Community Plan already shows a mixture of residential and light industrial activity in its future. By providing a visible hub we can generate business opportunities and a vibrant community, helping the Maplewood area achieve its full potential.”
Walton also envisions a cycling-only planned residential core focused on sustainable living, where living units are designed for the ‘carless.’ A pedestrian/cycling bridge would cross the Seymour River near its mouth and make it possible to access a dedicated lower route from Lower Lonsdale to Maplewood. The trail network would extend from the upper mountain regions to the Town Centre, which would contain bike shops, cafes and a Whistler-like ambience. He also envisions drawing bike manufacturers to the Maplewood area, which would become a cluster of innovation for the business community.
“This would act as a major economic catalyst for North Vancouver District and is consistent with our priorities of increasing tourism and clean industries to the North Shore. Based on conversations I have already had with local leaders, interest in the project is high. Linking properly constructed alpine trails with our urban greenways into an integrated hub leading out of Maplewood is consistent with our North Shore lifestyle. Visitors could ride from the top of a local mountain, descend 4,000 feet on safe trails to the new Lynn Valley Centre or Maplewood for a coffee and then have a leisurely ride along the lower levels to the Seabus, all without crossing a busy road,” Walton indicated.
Walton co-founded and chaired North Vancouver’s inaugural World Mountain Bike Conference and Festival in 2004, which in its two year existence has drawn over 350 policy makers from across North America, Scotland and Australia to share ideas on themes of environmental, social and economic sustainability for the emerging sport. “Many of the experts are here already,” said Walton. “The potential is all here – we just have to put the pieces together to create value.”
Media Contact:Colleen Buyers
colleen@waltonformayor.ca
604.351.4330
