Spirit Square Revitalization Strategy

Establishing a Vision to Revitalize a Plaza in the Heart of Downtown Merritt.

THE CHALLENGE

The Township of Langley owns the property at 27030 Fraser Highway—known as the Aldergrove Gateway—and is seeking to re-imagine its future use. Located at the western entrance to the Aldergrove Core Area and adjacent to the Aldergrove Credit Union Community Centre (ACUCC), the site currently functions as a largely vacant strip mall, with only one remaining commercial tenant. With that lease expiring in 2025, the Township has a timely opportunity to reposition this prominent site to better respond to community needs, strengthen the Core Area, and enhance quality of life in Aldergrove.

THE RESPONSE

MODUS led a comprehensive engagement process to understand how the community values Aldergrove’s existing assets, identify gaps, and explore opportunities for the future use of the Aldergrove Gateway. Engagement activities included a public open house and survey, targeted workshops with the Seniors Advisory Committee, ACUCC staff, and the Recreation, Culture, and Parks Advisory Committee, as well as two youth engagement sessions with students from Betty Gilbert Middle School and Aldergrove Community Secondary School. The process culminated in a public Ideas Jam that brought together residents and stakeholders to collaboratively explore possibilities for the site. Insights from this engagement informed a shared understanding of priorities and helped shape a vision for the Gateway that reflects community aspirations and supports long-term, community-focused outcomes.

Client

City of Merritt

Collaborators

Matthew Thomson Design

Calum Srigley