The estuary and meadows at Blackie spit are a very sensitive environmental area that is part of the Pacific Flyway for millions of birds and waterfowl. While Crescent Beach is a marine park, much of Blackie Spit is off-limits to people and pets. Most of this area is fenced off and signed with the point only to be accessed using the designated trail or from along the shoreline. The reason for this is the nearby grassy meadows are an important feeding and nesting site for migratory birds.
Unfortunately with our rising population fueled mainly by immigration, there are now crowds of people coming to Crescent Beach who are either ignoring or can't read the signs to stay out of the environmentally sensitive areas. I have personally witnessed large wedding parties coming to the natural areas of Blackie Spit to take photographs. Often you will see big families descending into the area for picnics and barbecues, dragging coolers, tents and carts through the meadows meant for wildlife. The birders are not much better with some trampling through the fields and mudflats looking for an opportunity to photograph a rare species.
Last summer the CBC did an expose on the issues affecting Blackie Spit and how the hordes of people were destroying this wildlife area. Surrey responded at that time by increasing bylaw enforcement and ensuring people stayed out of the meadows, mudflats and estuary. Unfortunately, these bylaw officers can only be on site so often and enforcement is sporadic at best. They seem to be more focused on educating the public than enforcing the rules and actually fining people for their behavior. It is unknown if anyone was actually ticketed for using Blackie Spit as a campground, playground or photo studio, even though there are plenty of signs with park rules.
Corry Kriticos photo
Last weekend White Rock resident photographer Corry Kriticos was at Blackie Spit and noticed several recent changes there. As usual this time of year the potholes in the parking lot have been filled and graded. New steel rod fence posts with looped ends have also been positioned along the gravel path heading to the point. I have seen these used before and they usually hold ropes as a temporary measure to help guide people along. I checked the City of Surrey website for news about new fencing including the listing for Blackie Spit Park and found nothing. An email to my contacts at the Parks Department was not returned in time for deadline. Sorry to say but if they expect a rope fence to keep people out of the natural areas, they are dreaming.
Much of the shoreline along the Mud Bay trail from Surrey to Delta is fenced off to keep people and their pets from harassing wildlife along the shoreline. In Tsawwassen, Metro Vancouver uses wire fencing and blackberries to keep folks and dogs out of much of the Boundary Bay Regional park, along with plenty of signage I should add. If Surrey really wants to protect Blackie Spit and the creatures that rely on it, then they should fence it off properly to keep the public at bay. Also, instead of kid gloves, they need to have their bylaw officers start handing out tickets. The BNSF Railway issues $500 tickets to every person caught walking on their tracks or corridor. I bet a $300 fine for anyone found in the protected wildlife area at Blackie Spit would change people's behavior real quick.
Here is the link to the CBC article on Blackie Spit from last summer. Something tells me this will be the opening story in what is sure to be a long and sordid saga. Unless Blackie Spit is going to be properly protected, Surrey might as well extend the existing parking lot all the way to the point as the meadows are currently being stomped into the gravel.
I wish to acknowledge we live, work and play on the traditional lands of the Semiahmoo People.
Local News
FEBRUARY 04, 2025
Today is the Final OPEN HOUSE
TRANSLINK is floating the proposed idea of a number of RAPID BUS LINES in the Lower Mainland. One such line would run from Whalley to Semiahmoo Mall in South Surrey. There have been two public in person engagements scheduled. the first was this past weekend in Newton. The next session will be staged at the Surrey City Centre library.
Surrey Centre Open House Tuesday February 04
Surrey City Centre Library 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.
10350 University Dr
If you are unable to attend in person you can simply take the survey online to help shape BRT should it happen.
City trucks have been working on clearing priority routes including bus routes, emergency access routes, and major roads. If your vehicle is not equipped for winter weather, please stay home. Residents and businesses are required to clear snow and ice from sidewalks surrounding their property following a snowfall as per City Bylaw No. 1529.
NAOMI MITCHELL has been a fixture in our community for decades. Her tireless volounteering for events is only a small portion of how much NAOMI has given to our community.
If you have visited the White Rock Playhouse in recent memory you would have seen and or met NAOMI who has helped for years in the operation of our community theatre. She has given unselfishly to us, now it is time for us to return the favour.
My name is Stu and I am the proud son of Naomi Mitchell
My mom is an awesome lady. She raised my brother and I on her own while working full-time as an elementary school teacher. She is now 85 years old and rents a humble, one-room basement suite which is all she can afford on her small pension. Money has always been tight for my mom, but since her retirement she has managed to put a small amount away each month and, until recently, had saved $35,000 for emergencies and end of life care.
Last week my mom fell victim to a heartless phone scam which robbed her of $20,000 from her savings. The perpetrators said that her bank accounts were at risk of being siphoned, and kept her on the phone for a full day, instructing her to make two $10,000 cash withdrawals which they would ‘transfer to a safe account’.
I helped my mom file a report with police who said there was no hope she would see the money again.
It has been heartbreaking to see her go through this, not only losing money, but her faith in humanity.
I hope both of these losses can be restored as my mom witnesses the kindness and compassion of friends, family and even strangers.
Thank you for your time, generosity and support!
January 31, 2025
Who Knows Junos?
Photo caption: Mayor Brenda Locke and the 2025 Vancouver JUNO Host Committee announcing Let’s Hear it BC JUNOS Plaza Party at Surrey City Hall on Jan. 30, 2025.
The City of Surrey will produce and host the Let’s Hear it BC JUNOS Plaza Party at Surrey Civic Plaza from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Mar. 15. As one of six cities on the Let’s Hear it BCJUNO Tour ahead of the JUNO Awards in Vancouver on Sunday, Mar. 30, the Let’s Hear it BC JUNOS Plaza Party will bring the spirit of the JUNOS to the heart of Surrey. This free music festival invites residents to experience over 30 artists across six stages. Attendees can also enjoy family programming, local music organizations, exhibitors, and food trucks.
The Let’s Hear it BC JUNOS Plaza Party will bring the JUNOS experience to Surrey with an all-day celebration of music, food and culture. Attendees can look forward to free live music from local and regional talent across six stages: the Main Stage on the Plaza; 5X Art Party with South Asian DJs; family programming on the Community Stage; and local musicians performing throughout the Plaza, City Centre Library, and Dominion restaurant in the Civic Hotel. Headliners will be announced later in February.
“The Let’s Hear It BC JUNO Tour is all about bringing the spirit of the JUNOS to your hometown and showcasing the incredible talent that thrives in all corners of our province. From emerging artists to seasoned performers, we’re bringing their stories and sounds to the stage for everyone to enjoy,” shared Nate Sabine, co-chair of the Vancouver JUNO Host Committee. “Surrey has long been a vibrant epicenter for music, particularly South Asian music, nurturing incredible talent and shaping the sound of an entire generation. This makes it a natural stop for the tour, especially in the year the JUNOS introduced the South Asian Music Recording of the Year category. This event is more than just a celebration of music—it’s a celebration of community, culture, and the creative spirit that makes our province so special. Join us as we shine a spotlight on the voices that deserve to be heard!”
The Let’s Hear it BC JUNOS Plaza Party offers a unique opportunity for residents to experience the spirit of the JUNOS for free. For more information, visit surrey.ca/junosplazaparty.
January 30, 2025
BC FARMERS MARKET has made a very special announcement that one of their annual awards has now been named HELEN FATHERS PARTNER OF THE YEAR AWARD.
The late HELEN FATHERS in addition to serving the city of White Rock for a number of years in the capacity of a city councillor, also for over a decade managed the popular White Rock Farmers Market.
BRAVO! and well deserved.
The award winners in each category will be announced during the BC Farmers’ Market Awards Ceremony & AGM online via Zoom on March 4, 2025!
Highway 99 traffic pattern will change for Steveston crossing
The removal of the old Steveston Highway crossing, initially scheduled to begin this weekend, Feb.1-2, 2025, has been postponed due to incoming snowy winter weather.
City has advanced more than 10,000 units in the first six months of the order
The City of Surrey is proud to announce it is exceeding housing targets mandated by the Minister of Housing. In the first six months of the provincial Order, Surrey has successfully delivered 2,567 net new housing units and advanced 10,096 units, primarily from rezoning conditional approvals, but also from issued building permits and houseplex development permits in the approval process. This progress positions the city well on its way to fulfill its five-year goal of 27,256 new units by June 2029.
Surrey has a substantial number of housing units in various stages of the development approval and construction process. Currently, there are over 44,300 units with rezoning conditional approval awaiting construction and over 13,700 units with issued building permits that are at various stages of construction.
In the past year, Surrey has implemented more than 25 major process improvements aimed at accelerating the approval and development of housing projects. These improvements focus on reducing timelines, increasing efficiency, and supporting the development community in delivering housing more quickly. Some of the key improvements include:
Early Excavation for Multi-Family Housing: Introduced a pilot program to allow for excavation building permits to be issued ahead of final adoption of rezoning and development permit issuance which will help facilitate construction of new housing.
Simplified Houseplex Development Permit: Introduced a simplified development permit process with reduced fees and faster approvals.
Development and Permit Approval Timelines: Introduced Development and Permit Approvals Targets, aiming for a minimum reduction of 30% of permit timelines for all major development types.
Incentive Programs: Introduced the Rapid Transit and Non-Market Rental Housing Incentive Programs to accelerate development.
Development Task Force: Council approved the establishment of a new task force to examine the City's development and permit processes and provide advice to Council on suggested process improvements and enhancements.
When the 2022 White Rock council was elected we collectively sat down and identified our priorities. One of those priorities was to explore the possibility of the construction of a new city hall in what would be referred to as The Community Hub.
My personal choice was and remains to develop the current site where city hall, the police station, fire hall, library and a daycare are located. Prior to Monday's meeting the CAO of the city polled council on which location they preferred uptown or the current city hall site. I remained steadfast in my opinion the current site had far more opportunities for a new city hall, civic theatre (much needed) fire hall, police station, day care and library.
During Monday's council meeting a vote was taken on the two locations, myself and councillor TREVEYLAN
were in opposition to green light a final decision to so quickly advance the uptown location on the empty lot next to the White Rock Playhouse. In his absence councillor KLASSEN who was vacationing in Mexico and was unable to attend the full council meeting, subsequently upon his return has voiced his opposition to the uptown location.
I had planned on itemizing my concerns for the location uptown, but by happen-chance councillor TREVEYLAN beat me to the punch by posting the following on his social media site.
NOTE: Yesterday the city issued the press release contained at the bottom of councillor TREVEYLAN'S comments.
Is it a done deal? As councillor TREVEYLAN has indicated WE need to hear from you the residents of White rock who are spending your hard earned tax dollars on the highrise hub.
The city will plan Open Houses on line portals etc. for you to express your support or concerns.
I very much want to hear from the public on this proposal. Right now while there may be some merits to the plan, I do have some serious reservations.
Saying that, this proposal is still early in the planning, and right now I want to listen to residents, but I thought I'd add some additional facts:
1. The current City Hall, Library and Annex will be sold to developer for approx $25m. a 6-story condo would be built instead (The Official Community Plan would have to be changed or spot-zoned to make this happen). The Cenotaph would probably have to be moved.
2. A waterworks yard would also have to be sold.
3. The 'Imperial Oil' parking lot uptown (1510 Johnston - was expropriated by the City from Imperial Oil for park space) would have to be sold.
3. Approx. $20m in City Reserves would be spent. The City also has approx $10m in an affordable housing reserves that could also be used for some affordable housing (could also be used for affordable housing not related to this plan).
4. If, and this a big IF, everything is on budget there would be no immediate increase in taxes or borrowing.
5. This has not been mentioned, but any additional services in a 'Community Hub' after it has been built would likely have to be funded by tax increases - DEPENDING on services (there may be savings too - IE smaller library).
6. In exchange a 12 story building with approx 80% lot coverage would be built at 1510 Johnston Road. (property currently zoned to 10 stories so it would require re-writing the OCP or spot-zoning)
7. Of these 12 stories, approx. 3 floors (35000 square feet) would be a City Hall. This would cost approx $25m *IF* on budget.
8. In addition, another 2-3 stories would be the community hub - public space. There have been NO detailed costing or planning yet regarding what would be included. The idea of a Theatre, or housing, or meeting space, or library, are at this point all just IDEAS of what COULD be included. These could be removed if too expensive etc. The cost for this portion would be another $21m *if* on budget.
9. The remaining 6 stories would be market condos sold off by developer (strata units).
9. Given the narrow size of the lot, underground parking may need a variance (IE - won't meet current standards) which means there may not be enough parking for all of staff/public/owners.
I plan to post with some of my concerns at this point on my FB page in the interest in open debate as soon as I can.
The City of White Rock is moving forward with a new 12-storey Community Hub at 1510 Johnston Road, centralizing essential services and enhancing community spaces.
The proposed hub will include a theatre, public library, daycare, and retail space, with plans to incorporate affordable housing and youth support services.
Residents are encouraged to participate in public consultations and provide feedback on this trans formative project. Read more: https://tinyurl.com/5n8yssph .
Celebrate Lunar New Year with a lively cultural celebration!
In partnership with Chinese Village Club, this free event offers an excellent opportunity to learn more about Lunar New Year as well as the Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese cultures.
Activities include live performances, dragon dance teaching, poetry performances, traditional and modern dance, tai chi performances, storytelling and more.
Check the waterfront weather in White Rock in real time.
Corry Kriticos photo
Corry Kriticos photo
