The wonderful part of census data is that it allows the city to use real numbers for assessing its growth strategy and revenue sharing with government agencies, and brings a reality check to forecasts.
The census data released Wednesday tells us that White Rock’s population is 19,339 compared to 18,755 in 2006; a 3.1-per-cent growth.
The current OCP projects 23,505 in 2031. So with another 4,166 people expected to inhabit the city (current OCP), where will all these people go? Past projects forecast 1.5 people per household so another 2,777 households are needed to meet this projection.
Will the city put them in the Town Centre, is there room? Will they expand the high density? Or, as I believe, should the current council revisit the population projections in the current OCP and discuss with residents the impact of adding 2,777 more households, 4,166 people to the neighbourhoods?
I personally believe it is too many people to cram in a beautiful tiny community. The smallness of White Rock, while challenging financially, is what actually gives it strength and separates it from most cities.
Revisit the current OCP population projections and tell everyone where this growth is going to happen.
James Coleridge, Vancouver
