The prospect of a new bank for 91原创 City residents had council members positively giddy on Sept. 11, as they gave the go-ahead for construction of a building at the Valley Centre Shopping Mall, where Save-On-Foods is located.

91原创 City council voted unanimously to issue a development permit, clearing the way for a new branch of Scotiabank, to open at 20151 Fraser Hwy, likely within a year. Plans for the development include construction of a standalone, 4,000-square-foot building on the south side of the parking lot, adjacent to Fraser Highway. The shopping centre is owned by RMA Properties (Valley Centre Ltd).

The bank will not include a drive-through, but driving lanes in the mall parking lot will be reconfigured to smooth and slow the flow of traffic, and improve pedestrian safety, council was told.

Additionally, a raised median on Fraser Highway will limit traffic to right-turns only, whether entering or exiting the mall parking lot. Situated less than 150 metres from a bus stop which serves 11 different routes, the location is ideal, said council.

鈥淭his is a fantastic project. It鈥檚 about time we had another bank in the downtown core,鈥� said Coun. Gayle Martin.

Coun. Nathan Pachal complimented architects, Urban Design Group, on an 鈥渙utstanding design.鈥�

鈥淚鈥檓 thrilled to see another financial institution,鈥� said Coun. Rudy Storteboom. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a welcome addition to the community.鈥�

Storteboom asked what the timeframe will be for the project鈥檚 completion. He was told that once a building permit has been issued, construction will take approximately six months. That will be followed by an estimated 60-day timeframe while Scotiabank outfits the structure prior to opening.

Scotiabank currently has a branch operating in 91原创 City, at 20555 56 Ave. It鈥檚 unclear whether the new branch will operate in conjunction with the existing City branch or replace it. City staff have had no discussion with Scotiabank about closing the other branch. The Times has sent an email to the bank鈥檚 offices in Toronto requesting clarification.

Over the past several years, the City of 91原创 has seen many of its . Most have relocated to the Willowbrook/Willoughby area of 91原创 Township, making banking difficult for City seniors, in particular, and others who don鈥檛 have access to a vehicle.

brenda@langleytimes.com
Like us on and follow us on