Urgent Update: Port Moody Winter Farmers Market Faces Closure

UPDATE: The future of Port Moody’s beloved Winter Farmers Market hangs in the balance as the Grow Local Society faces an urgent relocation crisis. The city has ordered the society to vacate its long-time venue outside the recreation centre, which has hosted the market for nearly 18 years. This shocking announcement leaves the market’s fate uncertain, with local officials citing parking complaints and competing community demands as reasons for the abrupt decision.

Just announced, Grow Local executive director Tabitha McLoughlin revealed that the society was informed in August of the requirement to leave, providing only a three-month notice period. “Our market’s future in Port Moody is now uncertain,” McLoughlin stated. The organization is now scrambling to find a suitable location for its approximately 60 vendors and 1,500 to 2,000 visitors every Sunday.

The immediate challenge is clear: there are no available spaces in Port Moody that can accommodate the winter market’s size. McLoughlin emphasized that the winter market is twice the size of their summer market, and options for relocation are limited. The society has explored the former Fire Hall No. 1 site, but it presents significant issues including a lack of parking and accessibility concerns.

“We need one of two things,” McLoughlin urged. “Either the community needs to step forward and say the market should stay where it is, or city staff must be very open-minded and creative.” The society has been granted an extension to finish the current winter season, which runs until April, but beyond that, the future remains bleak.

McLoughlin made a heartfelt appeal during a November 25 delegation to the Port Moody council, highlighting the market’s crucial role in economic and food security. The market contributes an estimated $5 million annually to the local economy, directly supporting over 150 local farmers and small businesses. “The market is so much more than just a place to shop,” she explained, calling it integral to the community’s social fabric.

Council members responded positively, expressing strong support for the market’s continued operation in Port Moody. Councillor Kyla Knowles confirmed that the council is committed to finding a solution, while Councillor Amy Lubik praised the significant economic benefits of the market, labeling it an essential incubator for local businesses.

City manager Anna Mathewson assured that staff are actively working with Grow Local to ensure the completion of the current season while evaluating potential options for the summer market. However, discussions about alternative locations have yet to yield a viable solution.

As the clock ticks towards April, the urgency mounts for Grow Local to secure a new location. Without a confirmed site by summer, the society may be forced to consider relocating the Winter Farmers Market out of Port Moody entirely. The community is left to wonder: will this cherished institution survive, or will it be lost in the shuffle of city planning?

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story, as the future of the Winter Farmers Market remains uncertain and the community rallies to support its survival.