How about International Village for Newton?

Time to think outside the box and build something wonderful that ALL  of Surrey residents can feel good about!

What now for Downtown Newton?
Some thoughts...

Holland Park in Downtown Surrey is home to the Fusion Festival, a popular annual event that   thousands  of families enjoy every year.  Always a wonderful opportunity to showcase our city's amazingly diverse cultures and nationalities. 

 Last summer we attended  with 3 kids from Mexico who said the best thing by far was the delicious food! They  enjoyed the chicken satay with peanut sauce so much that I had to make my version of it for dinner  later that evening! Got everybody talking about how great it would be for Surrey and in particular Downtown Newton to showcase  our multi-culturalism  for more than  just a few weekends a year.  Newton  has the largest population in Surrey many of whom are immigrants bringing with them their own unique gifts and artistic skills.

Wouldn't it be great to see Downtown  Newton transformed into an International Village? Imagine the food!    We'd love to see a farmer's market  that caters to everyone's cultural heritage. 

Bringing cultures together is  what builds a strong community and contributes to

 healthy, safe and vibrant neighbourhoods. 

What do you think? 

Mother and son shopping at open air marketplace

International Village for Newton?

Casino Royale-Time to Shuffle the Deck and Deal

  This weekend Surrey city council  in a close vote  turned down the proposal to build a casino and entertainment complex in South Surrey.

It's a victory for South Surrey residents,  and there's an element of Nimbyism for sure.

 The  No vote has unfortunate consequences for South Newton where Gateway's current Bingo Country operates.
Several months ago council voted to allow slots at that facility on a "temporary" basis until  the new casino in South Surrey was built and the gaming license transferred. 

 At the time it was said by many that  "temporary" had a way of becoming permanent.
And guess what folks, it has.

 The  aging Newton facility will keep operating as it is, and  plans for a new retail complex, complete with Planet Organic as anchor tenant?   Well that's unlikely to happen any time soon if ever.

Newton deserves the same attention and consideration as those  whose wishes were granted late Friday night.

  The city of Surrey must get working with developers to revitalize the South Newton/King George corridor.  

Clearly a need exists for  arts, entertainment and convention facilities. And what better place than  South Newton, the heart of Surrey. It's a no-brainer.

  Compromises will be necessary. We can't have everything we ask for. 

  But the time has come for the suburbs to grow up. Literally and figuratively.