BC Business
As Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce president Scott Johnston’s story demonstrates, many people initially skeptical about Langley as a home are pleasantly surprised by the people, amenities, geography, history and other elements that make it a community in the best sense of the word. Colleen Clark found this out in early 2016 when she moved from Sechelt, B.C. to start her new job as Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce’s executive director.
“I didn’t realize its sheer diversity until I actually began hunting for a home here. A five-minute drive can take you from farmland to the urban core to suburbia—or, if you’re historically minded and love browsing through an old-world town centre, a slightly longer drive will take you to Fort Langley,” says Clark. “All these components have been thriving for some time now, and I think it’s only because Langley is now a focus of media attention that there’s worry of overdevelopment or unbridled growth—when in fact all of us are committed to growing responsibly and not in a way that would compromise our assets, whether they be man-made or natural.”
Of course, Langley’s best natural asset is its farm and parkland, a vast area that is a mix of living history and new rural enterprises. In South Langley is the massive 535-hectare Campbell Valley Park, a major destination for equestrian and outdoor lovers alike. At the other end of Langley, to the north, is Fort Langley. Known as the birthplace of B.C., Fort Langley is a charming hub of retail and recreational opportunities on the banks of the Fraser River; and scattered in between are the vineyards that have contributed to B.C.’s international status as an award-winning wine producer.
Not surprisingly, the City of Langley has become a mecca for festivities throughout the year, thanks to the hard work of the Downtown Langley Business Association. The association organizes no less than eight major events annually, including the Arts Alive Festival, and it supports the Langley Good Times Cruise-In—the latter of which registers over 1,800 vintage automobiles every September.
Teri James, who by her own admission moved with her husband to Langley 20 years ago “not knowing what to expect and then instantly falling in love with the place,” has great belief in Langley’s livability.
“One of many indications that people enjoy being here is our small business owners [desire to stay in Langley]. In many municipalities, the trend is to grow and then relocate to a more urban region. Here, successful entrepreneurs tend to expand their operations within Langley, sometimes within a one-block radius. Why move elsewhere?”
With all these assets, the objective going forward is to ensure its continued vibrancy as more and more people decide to call Langley their home. Accordingly, portions of neighbourhoods such as Aldergrove and Brookswood have been identified for growth opportunities and upgrading. Today, the Township has an infrastructure inventory valued at $2 billion and is building a new $30-million rec centre in Aldergrove that features numerous amenities including a waterpark.
As one of the few regions in B.C. that truly gives new meaning to the term “something for everyone,” Langley is well prepared to tackle the challenges that lie ahead.
“When I think of Langley’s growth and our knack for managing it, I think of the saying, ‘A rising tide lifts all boats,’” says Scott Johnston. “That, in a nutshell, summarizes the Langley story.”