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How many people driving by this construction site will have already forgotten what used to be here?

It's probably about time to stop calling the crest at Arbutus Street and 16th Avenue the former site of the Ridge shopping centre. It is now the future site of Cressey's Arbutus Ridge condominium development. I say that without caring for it to be true.

I'll always miss the Ridge Centre. Over the course of 30 years, I shopped there, did my laundry there. went there with friends and by myself to see a lot of movies, and I ate a lot of meals there. I regret never trying the bowling alley.

It was a big old shopping mall with character that was associated with some of my fond memories. Now it only exists in my memory -- all the physical details I remember, down to the date stamped into original sidewalk on the south side: "1950" --all gone.

Soon to be replaced by an uninteresting condo for rich people. In three to ten years when it starts leaking I'll try not to feel good about it. Click the image to enlarge it.

[caption id="attachment_9207" align="alignnone" width="497"] Evidence of trench warfare? Looking south into the ditch of the Arbutus Ridge development.[/caption]

By the looks of things today the battle for the Arbutus Ridge is finally over. Who lost is open to discussion but the developer, Cressey, definitely won. I can only hope it was a bloodless victory.

The decisions leading up to the redevelopment and demolition of the 63-year-old landmark Ridge shopping and recreational complex. located on Arbutus Street at 16th Avenue. were certainly cold-blooded, but it was just business after all, right?

The existing businesses tenants such as McDonald's and Ridge Garden which were all pointedly not given a opportunity to be involved in the new development might disagree.

Construction on the the 49- to 52-unit "Arbutus Ridge" condo is scheduled to be completed some time in 2015, with the single retail tenant opening soon afterwards.