The Editor,
Re. “Port Moody ERH’s tower plan on shelf” (The Tri-City News, July 6) and “ERH ER expansion still a go after FHA shelves land sale” (The Tri-City News, July 11).
A letter to Port Moody’s Planning Advisory Committee:
I commend you for your strong position rejecting Fraser Health’s proposal to sell Eagle Ridge Hospital lands for private developments, and your vision for publicly owned lands.
I am 82 years old, own and live at Newport Village, and like many of my age group, hope the remaining lands at Eagle Ridge Hospital be used for future hospital-related and other health and wellness-related facilities and services.
The existing public transportation system to the area is excellent for supporting a focused public area.
My proposals for the future development of the Eagle Ridge Hospital public lands include:
• expansion of the Eagle Ridge Hospital for direct hospital services;
• office and retail space for doctors and other medical- and health-related services;
• an outpatient clinic;
• more family rental housing, seniors’ housing, co-op housing;
• a care facility, including minimum care and intermediate care, plus a 24-hour care facility including complex care, dementia and Alzheimer care;
• a seniors’ activity centre similar to that at Kyle Centre and Dogwood Pavilion in Coquitlam;
• an expanded hospice facility capable of caring for more patients;
• a daycare and nursery facility with a park area to support these early childhood services;
• and an expanded and relocated Port Moody Public Library and the arts centre.
Surrey Memorial Hospital and surrounding area may generally illustrate what could be developed at ERH. Some of the facilities there include:
• Jim Patterson Outpatient Clinic;
• BC Cancer Agency;
• Laurel Place Kinsmen’s Seniors’ Lodge, with 24-hour care, complex care, dementia and Alzheimer care;
• ICBC and WorkSafe BC offices;
• and doctors’ offices and other health-related offices and commercial space.
As well, I suggest the present library and city hall be repurposed as an expanded Port Moody city hall, and the former fire hall site and current city works yard property be repurposed and used to expand Rocky Point and Inlet park services.
Tony Tamayose, Port Moody
