Port Alberni Vancouver Island British Columbia - I attended the Port Alberni City Council committee of the whole regarding Port Alberni's train station.
 
I found the discussion to be mostly positive, engaging, as well as recognizing the deep historical roots of this lovely building.
 
There were several innovative ideas about re-purposing the building presented by the architect and citizens.
 
I commend the city for holding a public forum of this kind.
 
And, one idea which was repeated by several speakers was how to transform the train station into a central, vibrant, farmers/artists' market building which would draw the local community and tourists into the downtown core.
 
As a relative newcomer to the Alberni Valley, I would be so pleased to see a central farmers' market for Port Alberni.
 
I have been an avid shopper of farmers' markets all of my life in large and small communities across Canada.
 
When I arrived in this community, I was delighted to learn about markets and local producers.
 
And then, I learned there were multiple markets (I have now lost count how many!), held on different days of the week, in a variety of locations, and at different times.
 
I find the arrangement confusing and the organization of these markets within a very small community places the onus on the shopper to remember which vendor will be present at which market, on which day and the times.
 
As a result, sadly, I have mostly given up attending these markets for these reasons.
 
It seems counter-productive to the intent of local producers wishing to market their goods that they would not take measures to ensure their produce is as accessible to the buying public.
 
Hence, I applaud any initiative locally to create a central market such as has been proposed for the train station.
 
Pamela Welgan.

Here's a radical idea... why not use this designated heritage railway station as a railway station! The rolling stock and tracks are already there ready for use. Don't lose our railway history and heritage!