The Aldergrove business community is ready to get behind a relocated Langley Good Times Cruise-In.
“I think this is a great opportunity for Aldergrove,” said Rob Wilson, president of the Aldergrove Business Association (ABA).
Last week, organizers of the Cruise-In, one of the largest annual car shows in Canada, announced that they were seriously looking at moving the event from its longtime Langley City home to the Township – specifically downtown Aldergrove.
The Cruise-In’s board, headed by president Wayne Patterson, is trying to quickly get permits to close streets, contact their vendors, and reach out to the Aldergrove community about the impacts. On Monday they met with the ABA, which is looking forward to the change of venue.
“Should it move, there are a lot of positive impacts it could have on Aldergrove,” said Wilson.
Wilson, who attends the Cruise-In in Langley City every year with his kids, said there are still some logistics to be worked out before the Cruise-In can take place in Aldergrove.
“If they ask for our assistance on that, we’d be glad to help,” he said.
He believes there are parking opportunities for the crowds, tens of thousands strong, who visit every Cruise-In. Churches, schools, and other public facilities can handle some of the load, Wilson said.
Patterson said that some locations have already been planned, pending approval by Langley Township for road closing.
Fraser Highway would be closed from approximately the 26900 block of Fraser Highway east to about 273rd Street, said Patterson.
Parts of several nearby side streets would also be used for the main car show, including 272nd Street.
The marketplace and Sunday swap meet could be held at the parking lot of the now largely closed Aldergrove Centre Mall.
The closed streets have been chosen because they won’t impact residents. The few people who live along those streets have alley access.
While the Aldergrove business community is looking forward to the switch, the same can’t be said for the Downtown Langley Business Association (DLBA).
“The only thing I can say is it would be a tremendous loss,” said Teri James, president of the DLBA.
The exposure the annual car show brings Langley City is the most important element, James said.
“I hope it’s not a done deal yet,” said James.
