When that community component is a special place as integrated into West Vancouver as the Park Royal Shopping Centre, introducing improvements can be a monumental task.
"We sincerely want to thank our customers for their patience over the last few months as construction has proceeded," said Rick Amantea, Vice President of Park Royal and The Village at Park Royal.
"Park Royal is undergoing a retail expansion, which will build upon the success of The Village at Park Royal - Canada's first lifestyle centre. Our plan is to grow and evolve with the community to set the foundation for a vibrant, active and sustainable community."
The success of the Village at Park Royal has been the result of offering shoppers a better experience. "The Park Royal Village Retail Expansion is an exciting component in the continuing evolution and innovations of Park Royal. It will create an environment with new high quality retailers and services, and will also enhance memorable shopping and socializing experiences. It also allows Park Royal to continue its evolution from an enclosed regional shopping centre to a robust community with multiple precincts that encourages and invites people to work, shop, learn and be entertained. They will be able to enjoy their leisure time with us in both the day and evening."
As part of the move to improve sustainability, traffic flow improvements were sought to benefit both shoppers and residents. "We are excited about the improvements in traffic flow that we have already seen, and also in regards to accessibility for our shoppers and the community as a whole. Our changes will be inclusive and guided by the goals of the broader community."
The initial changes are having an impact.
"The intersection has already seen improvements in accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists, public transportation, first responders and vehicles. It is part of a greater plan to connect the community to both Park Royal and West Vancouver, including walking, biking and public transit. Pedestrians, cyclists, public transportation, first responders and vehicles will all benefit from the enhanced movement that these traffic lights now provide. Park Royal is continuing to monitor the movements of vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists through the intersection and will make adjustments and refinements where the need presents itself."
When work resumes, disruption will be minimal. "With the new intersection now fully operational, construction will be minimal during the Holiday Season to prevent any further inconvenience to our shoppers during this time. The final refinements will be made in January and February 2013."
You might also notice some extra convenient touches at Park Royal during your visit this Holiday season. "To make visiting Park Royal a more pleasant experience, we have added flaggers, parking lot helpers, our radio station and valet parking in two locations."
When completed, Park Royal will also be offering a new level of accessibility for shoppers. "The expanded parkade on Park Royal South will re-open with eight new elevators and two escalators in the spring of 2013, and will provide greater accessibility and a state-of-the-art parking management system. The first phase of new store openings will be in the fall of 2013."
To find out what's in store for the future of Park Royal, check them out online at parkroyalconnected.com or tune in to their radio station (when on-site) at 92.5 FM to get the latest updates on what's happening.
