Feeling civic-minded, I went to the public information meeting for the new Co-op building on Sunday. I gave up my radio show to do it, that’s how much I care about this project.
The hall was packed. We love our Co-op! As Co-op and community members, we are literally invested, and everyone has their own ideas about how it should be done. What struck me was the remarkable absence of complaining.
This project is an example of something done with Hornby in mind, albeit within the constraints of budget, time, and building code requirements. It has been transparent from the beginning. They’ve shared their thinking, explained the *why* and intention behind every choice, and the choices are good ones, or as good as possible.
The meeting began with reports from the various groups involved. Mike Zelen spoke first for the Co-op Board, giving an overview of the project and its financials. Leckie Studio (the architects) laid out the design plan and explained the reasoning behind their choices. AFC Construction (the builders) followed with the construction schedule, and Cascadian Wood Tech (the lumber suppliers) spoke about the wooden components. They use a prefab technique, so we won’t have weeks of trucks clogging the ferries hauling lumber to the site. They showed a short video of their own building, down the road from Buckley Bay toward Union Bay, being constructed. It was assembled and ready to walk around in within six days.
Our Co-op will take longer, as it is a much larger and more complex structure with mechanical functions to consider. Still, it will be under a roof and within walls very quickly, twenty days, according to the timeline. It will take longer before the new store is ready to open, scheduled for April 2027. Then, the old building will be demolished. Note: if anyone covets any part of the current building, ask—everything will be available, for a price.
The new space, unlike the current building, will occupy a single floor, but the floor space will be close to what they now have on two floors. The building will occupy the whole parking lot behind the current building, opening directly onto the Ringside. There will also be a coffee shop/deli space.
The interior will feature as much wood as possible, while the exterior will be clad in weathered corrugated steel, pre-rusted for durability and strength, similar to how charring wood makes it stronger and longer-lasting. I think it will be as attractive as possible for a big, flat-topped box.
When asked why the exterior was to be metal rather than wood, they explained they had no choice. The Ringside Market buildings nearby pose a fire hazard, so according to building code, the new Co-op must be finished in non-combustible materials.
People asked why not a sloped roof, like the old Co-op. In addition to budgetary issues, the building is located directly beside the campground. There are many machines required for heating, cooling, and other functions. The rooftop was chosen as the location for these machines because placing them behind the building—the only other option—would create noise problems for campers.
The space between the new building and Shields Road will become a park and community gathering space. They will provide large-wheeled wagons and assistance for customers who have mobility issues or purchase more than they can carry.
During the Q&A, someone pointed out that our community tends to skew older rather than younger. We have many elders with mobility challenges, so wouldn’t it make more sense to use that space for accessible parking instead of a park? The response was that the final decision for that part of the project is still more than a year away, and they are listening to our collective wishes. If the community wants parking instead of another park, that’s what will happen.
I’m torn. On the one hand, the park would be lovely and would add so much to the aesthetic and the experience of shopping. On the other hand, yes, absolutely we need more accessible parking. I suspect we’ll land on the side of caring for elders’ needs, but that choice is up to us.
Another question focused on whether the building would use any sort of solar or alternative energy. The answer was, it is to be ‘solar ready’. Everything is in place for when solar technology improves. I asked about e-bike parking. We need more of it! Space for fat tired e-bikes, under a roof. They are planning to, eventually, not immediately, have a space for e-bikes with a charging station, I personally don’t care about the charging station. All an e-bike needs is a basic power outlet. Even the campground will have those. But give us a roof! E-bikes don’t like getting wet. And a place to lock up. I hope it doesn’t take too long.
Everything else is set. Foundation work began this past Monday. The budget is finalized; the companies involved, the financing institution, and all the other pieces are in place. They were able to secure financing at near-prime rates.
This summer, while everything is under construction, they will use the newly purchased property at the Four Corners for parking, when the soil is hard packed enough to be okay. During the off season, what we have should suffice. I didn’t hear what they plan to do for parking long term.
The care they’ve taken to make this project minimally intrusive and maximally beautiful is genuinely impressive. They held a land blessing earlier, with Co-op staff, conducted by Elder Barb White.
So many things done right, especially in contrast to the Province’s high-handed approach to the campground destruction. I can’t bring myself to call it construction. It’s a campground, for goodness sake. What they’re doing is antithetical to what camping should be.
I’ll get used to it, eventually; it will be fine once it’s finished. And that’s enough about that.
That’s what I think. What do you think? Email me at phoenixonhornby@gmail.com
