It’s time for change at Woodgrove Shopping Centre.
Woodgrove Centre removed its 35-year-old water clock on Jan. 17 to make way for renovations, despite a petition to save it.
The 6.3-metre tall clock was taken down to make way for an open concept space, as part of a $17-million renovation at the north Nanaimo mall. A “big, open concept” to use for a variety of different purposes, including community events, is a key feature of the revamp, according to Woodgrove general manager Julia Dow, who says there will be new flooring, ceiling treatments and lighting fixtures with a view to host community events.
There were calls for the clock to remain. Signatures have been building on a Change.org petition for the clock to stay since October, with more than 1,600 names as of Monday.
“The Woodgrove Centre absolutely takes great pride in developing and maintaining good relationships with the members of our community so the petition absolutely was carefully considered and it was taken very seriously,” said Dow. “After all the options were thoroughly considered, moving forward with the renovation plan as scheduled was the decision that was made.”
The water clock has been on display since the mall opened in 1981, according to Chief Straight Tongue, a book on developer Deane Finlayson by Donna Dash. The clock is now in storage and Dow said the centre is open to discussions about its future outside of Woodgrove.
Darren Kennedy, a Port Alberni resident at the mall on Sunday, believes there should be more than just an open space where the clock used to stand, like a sitting or garden area, but is more concerned about the clock itself. He hopes it’s used, adding it’s “pretty cool.”
Nanaimo’s Deepak Dilawri called the clock a landmark in the mall, but also recognized it’s a private business and said it’s fine if the owners want to utilize the space in a different way, while Maria Carmen of French Creek said the clock gave the mall character and its removal is “sad.”
Darren Moss, chairman of the Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Associations’ planning, design and development committee, recently found out the water clock is available but doesn’t know what’s involved to maintain or relocate it and if it’s suitable for the outdoors. The clock is something his committee will talk about at the next meeting.
