How Langley is investing in the future of business and community

The Langleys are well known for their mayors, business associations and managers collaborating intensely to shape the region’s future—with plenty of input from residents. And as anyone with a passing acquaintance of the Township and City can attest, plenty of changes are afoot

The new Aldergrove Recreation Centre is a good case in point: with a covered, heated indoor walking surface, multi-purpose rooms and a large outdoor water park and playground, the new centre, to be completed in 2018, will provide leisure and recreation activities year-round for residents of all ages and support the revitalization of Aldergrove’s downtown core.

“Ground breaks on the project in September, and when the facility is complete it will not only inspire other re-development, it will draw people from throughout Metro Vancouver,” says Township mayor Jack Froese. In this regard, the centre will serve a similar function to Langley’s Thunderbird Show Park, which Dianne and George Tidball developed into one of North America’s premier equestrian facilities, hosting events and visitors from around the world.

But infrastructure is as equally important an investment as facilities in the ongoing growth of the Langleys, and on this score a new interchange at 216 Street and Highway 1, to be built with provincial and federal funding, will make access easier to communities in north Langley. Completion is projected for fall 2019.

The widening of the Fraser Highway recently included an extension to 235 Street, and studies and meetings continue to be undertaken to determine the viability of widening 16th Avenue, an important east-west transportation link connecting Surrey, Langley and the City of Abbotsford. Launched by TransLink, the study will suggest short, medium and long-term solutions to enhance the 16 Avenue corridor.

Utility development and expansion is another key factor in the Langleys’ continued growth.

“Via our East Langley Water Supply project, we recently connected Aldergrove and Gloucester to Metro Vancouver’s water system,” says Froese. This initiative brings clean, safe and dependable drinking water to residents, businesses and schools, and eases potential future summertime water restrictions.

Finally, a commitment to local interests and a knack for partnering with international bodies are two characteristics of Langley civic leaders. Recently, a workshop to explore the creation of a “food hub” that would produce food to make it onto tables was undertaken, and the bounty grown and produced within the community was celebrated when Langley Eats Local was featured at farmers markets.

As for international involvement, Langley Township and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities recently celebrated the conclusion of a four-year Municipal Partners for Economic Development Program where economic enhancement expertise was exchanged with Ha Tinh, Vietnam.