Changes for the next Ladner Village Market won’t include allowing dogs.
Delta council this week approved a series of changes for the 2025 market season but agreed not to approve a recommendation to remove the current “no dogs permitted” policy.
A staff report notes that marketgoers not familiar with the rule, bring their dogs to the market and are disappointed when they are turned away, while there are concerns that owners will put their dogs at risk by leaving them in cars instead while they shop.
Additionally, enforcement of the rule is challenging.
The report also notes that the Fraser Health Authority permits dogs at outdoor markets and most markets operating across the Lower Mainland are dog-friendly, if they are kept on a short leash and well behaved.
The report suggested extending the market area would provide sufficient room on Delta Street and 48th Avenue to allow on-leash dogs.
However, members of council disagreed, saying the outdoor summer market, which can get hot and extremely busy, is no place for dogs.
Coun. Dan Boisvert said he has seen a couple of incidents of dogs lashing out at people when the animals were permitted.
“Its is a market for people and people first,” he said.
Mayor George Harvie agreed, saying there is a reason the policy was put in place.
He also noted the city’s bylaws department is against the idea.
In 2023, the city announced it had entered into an agreement with Ladner Village Market Ltd. to assume the assets and operation of the market for the following season.
After investigating multiple operational options and engaging with other market operators in B.C., staff determined that the best model for operating the Ladner Village Market in 2024 and beyond was to utilize a dedicated market manager, the report notes, adding that the Collective Markets was invited to take on the management role because of their local experience both transitioning ownership and operation of the Clayton Heights Market and operating the Southlands Market.
Despite a few initial transitional challenges associated with the change in operators, staff believe that the 2024 Ladner Village Market season was very successful.
The changes that were approved for next year on a trial basis include adjusting the market layout to extend the market down Delta Street to Bridge Street, allowing businesses fronting the market route to establish pop-up patios for food and beverage sales after obtaining all required permits, creating a community activities area/eating area and an artist’s corner, as well as adding an eighth market day on Sept. 21, 2025.
The city will also undertake an open process to solicit interest in operating a North Delta market on Sundays that won't conflict with the Ladner Village Market.
