Now is the time for White Rock residents to make their views known about plans for a new community hub.
That's the message from both the City of White Rock – through its communications and government relations department – and Darcy Dupont, the man hired as senior project manager for the planned replacement for city hall.
The first of several community surveys was launched on April 30, and the public is invited to participate in "shaping what the future space could become."
According to a media release, the aim is to provide a "modern, accessible civic space that could bring together key services under one roof" – the current city hall, built in 1962 to serve a population of 8,000, it points out, is no longer able to meet the needs of a city that has grown to nearly 22,000 residents.
A majority of council voted earlier this year to endorse a study option that would sell off much of the existing city hall block (including the current daycare and public library) and use the funds to build a 12-storey community hub/residential tower on land at 1510 Johnston Rd., next to the Oceana PARC Playhouse, originally expropriated by the city for a park/town square.
But in a recent conversation with Peace Arch News, Dupont said that while, at this point, this is council's "preferred site," all possibilities are open for discussion during the public consultation period, which will include a series of surveys, open houses, pop-up events and workshops running throughout spring and summer.
"All of this is under consideration," said Dupont, who comes to the city with more than 20 years of experience in managing community development projects in which stakeholder engagement and economic sustainability have been a priority.
"Community engagement is absolutely critical," he added.
He said that he is not aware of any current impediment to using the Johnston Road site for the project. (Imperial Oil had launched a lawsuit against the city in 2019 claiming the city had undervalued the property at the time it expropriated it, and there have long been rumours of contamination of the soil from its long-time use as a gas station.)
Early study had also established what he feels is a workable underground parking plan that would accommodate both civic and residential needs, he said.
But he also acknowledged that "there's no doubt it's a tight site" that would require careful planning before and during any construction process.
Dupont said that, at this point, he does not rule out potential redevelopment of the existing city hall site if that emerged as a better option for the community hub.
Appointed in March, Dupont said he lives in White Rock – "I walk to work every day," he added.
He said that since he took up the position, he has made a point of reaching out to the community, both through organizations such as the White Rock BIA and the Kent Street Activity Centre and also through informal conversations with individuals, to get a sense of what they feel a community hub should be.
A decision on the community hub would have to address all the financial requirements for the city and any potential developer and also the "needs and expectations of the community," he said.
"It's also trying to understand community culture – I'm a bit of a history buff, so I've enjoyed visiting the Museum and Archives to look back at the history of White Rock."
The initial stages of community consultation should start with looking at the various use that residents would like included in a community hub, Dupont said, even before focusing on the potential site or type of building.
"Part of my early work is to reach out and find what makes sense for a community hub," he said.
The media release noted the city is "committed to transparency and listening every step of the way," adding that a “What We’ve Heard” report will be shared following each phase of engagement to show how public input is shaping the project.
“This is your opportunity to help build something for the future of White Rock,” said White Rock Mayor Megan Knight.“We want to hear from everyone—families, seniors, youth, business owners—because this hub is for the whole community. Your voice will help shape the vision for White Rock’s civic heart.”
To find out more information or to share thoughts on the project, the public is encouraged to visit www.TalkWhiteRock.ca/CommunityHub, or email communityhub@whiterockcity.ca
