OCEAN PARK ASSOCIATION, PRESIDENTS REPORT –2009

Another year has passed and despite all the 2009 concerns regarding the “big box” stores moving in, our confidence and community spirit has allowed us to hold on, create strategies and move forward. Our” BIG HEARTS IN SMALL BOXES” continued to beat throughout the year maintaining a balance of service and a quality of business meeting the needs of our village and surrounding areas. We realize that we are unique as well as convenient, where residents can walk, bus, bike and drive to their local grocery, bakery, butcher, clothing, bank and gift stores etc. Many times this is resonated by customers who are glad that they can “shop local” and find what they need to not go far.

The City of Surrey continues to inform the OPBA of info sessions allowing us opportunity share ideas and to have a voice. Philip Bellefontaine of the City’s traffic planning group attended one of our meetings. He listened to many concerns over the proposed traffic calming initiatives. He was given several suggestions and has returned to the table to find a solution that will be more agreeable to the businesses and residents of the area. Hopefully, we will see an action plan in the near future. We will continue to work with the City providing input, increasing awareness and voicing the needs of business and community.

The Ocean Park Banners have stood the test of time bringing color to the area and promotion for several businesses. We must look towards purchasing fresh banners for the next seasons. Thank you to the Surrey Community Police for their support. Unfortunately, small crime and vandalism continues to be a problem in our area. With the help of local residents and the policing support we can all be vigilant. Our businesses are our livelihoods. We must communicate to help protect our interests. We appreciate the recent discussion with the community police regarding the credit card scams. Helpful tips are posted on the OPBA website.link here

Ocean Park Day 2009 was the best yet! We had great enthusiasm from all the businesses. Participation is growing and the great ideas keep coming. We had record visitors and all had a good time. Many businesses claimed that they had great sales or were able to promote customer awareness of their business. Our always-wonderful raffle baskets generated revenue (approx.$1,492) for the seed money for next year. Our newspaper coverage from the Peace Arch News was great, providing ad space and general info for drawing visitors to a fun family event. Thank you Anita Colley for all of your support.link here for the 2009 Photo Gallery

Thank you to all the sponsors who help make it possible to build a little higher each year. Thank you to Janice Savage for her coordination of the stage and to all the volunteers and businesses that go the extra mile. Plans are underway for
Saturday June 19th 2010!

OPBA in partnership with the OP Community Association teamed up and created a smaller winter festival – Holidays in Ocean Park! With the help of some business sponsors, we brought in an Ocean Park train. Children and adults could take a ride around the parking lot on a motorized train. From there they could visit kiosks for latkes, popcorn, visit storefronts, enjoy holiday sales and other festivities. Although it poured rain and the winds howled, everyone enjoyed the day and Safeway who gave up 1/4 of the parking lot enjoyed record sales that day.link here for the 2009 Photo Gallery This event for 2010 is tentatively booked for December 2010 so put on your thinking caps to make it even a more exciting day full of holiday spirit.

At this time I would like to thank the current executive:

• Tara Sketchley of Stampin’Up - Vice-President
• Betty Eisenman of CIBC - Treasurer
• Jason Kuling of Ocean Park Village Pub - Secretary
• Laura Thibeault of Home Life, Membership

We wish to acknowledge the extra hours all of these people put in on top of the their regular business duties. They make this association stronger and keep us informed. Congratulations to Laura Thibeault voted Ocean Park Business Person of the Year and she was also a nominee-finalist in the WR & SS Chamber of Commerce's 11th Annual Business Excellence Awards for 2009 in the Independent Business Person of the Year Category.

I would also like to thank the Ocean Park Community Association for its partnership and support of all of our events. Our combined efforts make the job of the volunteer easier and we can set our goals higher. It is a pleasure to work with these dedicated and committed individuals.

As President, I enjoy knowing and working with people, who are giving, show integrity and are passionate for the needs of our community. Thank you to the membership for your support. It has been a successful year. We continue to fulfill our goals and we are increasing our membership. Again we face the ever challenging future but as a team we have
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS!

You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give- Winston Churchill

Respectfully, Sandra Smith President, OPBA