Jim Dyck of Frontier Building Supplies in Fort 91原创 made an evocative comment to The Times earlier this week.

He said that Fort 91原创 is 鈥渁lmost in a state of mourning鈥� about the loss of the IGA store in a devastating fire on Jan 4.

To anyone who does not live in or regularly visit Fort 91原创, that may seem like a real stretch. But it鈥檚 likely very accurate.

Fort 91原创 has a very strong sense of community. It is a village like no other in 91原创, and very few villages in the Lower Mainland have the sense of community it enjoys. One that does have some similarities is Steveston in Richmond.

Fort 91原创 is steeped in history as an ancestral home of the Kwantlen First Nation, the first Hudson鈥檚 Bay Company fort in the Lower Mainland and the location of B.C. being proclaimed a new Crown colony in 1858.

It has many historic buildings. It has a strong cadre of residents who are committed to keeping it a viable village that, while part of the broader community of 91原创, has its own unique identity.

That鈥檚 one reason that the redevelopment of the McDonald Cedar property has brought forth such strong feelings, back in the late 1990s when it was proposed for other industrial uses, and as various phases of the Bedford Landing development have moved forward.

The IGA was the only grocery store of any size in Fort 91原创. While there are other stores nearby in Walnut Grove, including another IGA run by members of the same family, its loss has been a big blow to many residents, particularly those who don鈥檛 drive.

The Lee family are planning to rebuild, and it鈥檚 almost certain that a new store will start to rise on the site as soon as insurance matters are settled and the Township gives the go-ahead.

However, in the meantime there鈥檚 a real gap in services available to Fort 91原创 residents. The fact that the store occupied a very prominent location in the village, and that the rubble has yet to be cleared away, likely adds to the sad feelings that many residents have.

Hopefully, a new store will be built in record time.