Editor:
On behalf of the silent majority, we would welcome big box stores at the Field Road location. Everyone I know wants a Walmart here, but they are not the ones who come out to speak their mind at public hearings and nor do they stand on the street with placards. These stores are available in other small communities and in addition to the convenience they provide local residents and tourists alike, they also provide jobs for locals and increase our tax base which, in turn, will increase other sought after amenities such as parks, walkways etc. in our community and help to reduce residential taxes.
Many people choose not to live on the Sunshine Coast because there are no major shopping amenities here. If you build it, they will come. If we put some big box stores on Field Road, those who don't want to shop there can take their business elsewhere, but many families as well as those on fixed incomes would benefit from stores like Walmart that provide good selection at reasonable prices.
These stores will draw more tourists through Sechelt who need supplies, camping equipment, etc. and in turn generate spin-off business for locals. Travel to other small communities and see what they have done to make sure the original downtown becomes a vibrant tourist area despite the existence of nearby big box stores. We just need a theme and a greener, more pedestrian oriented atmosphere in downtown Sechelt.
Why not take this opportunity to move the cars to the big box stores on Field Road and let downtown Sechelt become a vibrant, pedestrian oriented village?
Let's allow our little town to grow up a bit and see how that can benefit everyone in the long term.
Wendy Ratcliff, Sechelt
