Even from an era of polyester suits and pet rocks, there’s no trend that causes quite as much embarrassed anguish today as the assumptions that guided the creation of Capilano University.
Students could reach the campus by driving “much more rapidly and easily than by any other conceivable mode of transportation,” a planning report concluded prior to the school’s 1973 opening. That same report noted a third crossing was in the “planning state.”
CapU has evolved in the past 50 years. Commuting patterns, however, are still mired in the lava lamp epoch as many of the school's 12,000 students drive from Deep Cove, Dundarave, and across the bridge to jockey with each other for scarce parking spots on the asphalt-rich campus.
But just because it’s been that way doesn’t mean it was to be that way still.
CapU is currently backing a 330-unit rental development for students, staff and faculty just a short hop from the school.
Even as this would help undo decades of unrelenting wrongheadedness while creating the fabled but rarely seen walkable community, we understand much of District of North Van council has misgivings. After voting against affordable developments at Delbrook and Burr Place, a few councillors are questioning this development, due to its lack of affordability. And it’s true we need to see some concrete numbers. But after that, we need to see some concrete.
For anyone who’s been packed into buses and crammed parking lots, we wonder if they can afford not to do it. Back in the ’70s, Lynnmour might have been a bad place for a university. But today, it’s the perfect spot for a town.
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