The SmartCentre development between Wicksteed and Vanderhoof is known among detractors as Walmart Plaza. That’s the case even though the landlord insists no decision has been taken as to who will anchor the huge box building underway at the extension of its commercial property across Wicksteed. Work goes on furiously at the site as these pictures taken this week show. The vantage point is from the parking lot of the TD Bank on the corner of Laird Drive and Vanderhoof. As many as 1,200 signatures were said to have been collected when opposition to the development was at its height last year. It was approved however and the Leaside Property Owners Association accepted payment from SmartCentres to help finance a traffic study of Leaside and to seed cash for the creation of a Business Improvement Area for South Bayview. The election campaign in Ward 26 has been quiet so far but as the field fleshes out, the Walmart Plaza may become more of an issue. Or maybe not, because no candidate can say he will halt the project. Those in the race as it is known are the incumbent John Parker, David Sparrow and John Burnside, a contender from the last election.
