Town hall meeting focused on Edmonds

The growing pains of the Edmonds neighbourhood have led to uncertainty about the future of the Edmonds Business and Community Association.

"It's been sort of troubling times for it, the last couple of years, it just sort slid by the wayside with no interest," said Joyce Rostron, former president of the association, adding memberships weren't renewed and meetings weren't held on a consistent basis.

The annual general meeting was canceled last year, and there has not been a new board appointed since that time.

Rostron, who has been a member since 2007, was president in 2010 and became a director after that.

A lack of communication and leadership has led to the current inactive state of the association, she said.

She has been discussing the issue with Burnaby's parks, recreation and cultural services department, the mayor's office, and Edmonds businesses and community organizations.

Rostron held a discussion table recently about the fate of the association, and it was determined that the association should reach out to the broader community.

"From there, we determined that there was going to be some sort of light at the end of the tunnel," she said.

The association and Edmonds Community School are cosponsoring a town hall meeting, Creating Community for Edmonds, to determine a future vision for the neighbourhood.

"We just don't have a clue what the vision is now of this area called Edmonds, because things are sort of polarized," Rostron said. "When I see Edmonds, I see all sorts of new developments and things are growing, and yet on the other side of it, there's people who are struggling and dealing with poverty issues and drug issues, and small businesses can't make it.

"We just have to find out what the vision is now for this Edmonds area," she continued. "That's the only way we're going to steer the EBCA, if it is going to resurge - I don't know."

Rostron said she hopes to see some fresh faces and perspectives at the meeting.

"I think that the EBCA would definitely benefit from a resurgence of good leaders and open communication with a well-designed vision as well," she said, adding, "I do see potential and great possibilities for this area to thrive and become a sustainable community, and flourish."

The parks department will have a display table with information on the new Edmonds pool and community centre, she said.

City of Burnaby community planner Karin Hung will also make a presentation at the meeting.

"I will be the community planner speaking at the event, providing a brief overview of the planning context in Burnaby, the adopted Edmonds town centre plan, recent developments in the area, and projects that are currently in stream or will be happening in the near future," Hung wrote in an email to the NOW.

The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 6: 30 p.m. at Edmonds Community School, 7651 18th Ave. To RSVP, call 604257-4457 or email luci.baja@sd41. bc.ca.

For more information, email [email protected].