Do you want to rename Nanaimo?

[kickidee]

I was wondering if I am the only person upset by the proposed name changes of Harewood road, the Harewood shopping mall, and the Harewood area to the University Mall, Road and area?( I say University as the only part of the new name I actually know.) I am happy for residents of Nanaimo to have a university/college and the accreditation is a boon for the town, but would be no less so with the Harewood area NOT having the honer of redundantly bearing the same name. Are we getting a little too proud of what for many cities is just a bit of status? I feel for our elders and ancestors who named the roads that are so reflective of our mining history. It's as though someone is taking a giant eraser to remove a piece of the truth and history that gives south Nanaimo it's character.
My opinion. However I have a question or two. Who decided to rename parts or all of Harewood, how did this person or people get it passed, and is there anyway to stop it? I'm sure its been in the papers but I hear next to no reaction and I do wonder if I am the only one who feels it's a shame?

[Smokey©]

I have heard of the name change from Harewood Mall to University Village, but have not heard of the other changes. A mall unfortunately may change their name to whatever they want as noted by North Nanaimo Towncentre (formerly Rutherford Mall).

I doubt that the name change of Harewood Road to anything else would pass acceptance due to the heritage of the area.

[kickidee]

Well that is good news! I can see that malls, such as Port Place may change their names, and I hope all the rest then is just a rumor. I really dont care what any mall wishes to name itself. A histrical street is another thing.

[Piper]

How about Welcome to condo country?

[Shadow Wolf]

I understand there is probably a lot of history behind the name, but let's be honest, Harewood is hardly an inspiring name to those who've never heard it.

[Shadow Wolf]

How about Welcome to condo country?

Naw, can't start that one. You'd have to rename the districts in almost every other Canadian City as well.

[Smokey©]

Who decides to rename Harewood Road or any other road?
(not actually a quote, but a modified quote)

The city may pass a bylaw changing the name of any road in the city.
Where did you hear that the road name might be changed?

[Rickj]

I have heard of the name change from Harewood Mall to University Village, but have not heard of the other changes. A mall unfortunately may change their name to whatever they want as noted by North Nanaimo Towncentre (formerly Rutherford Mall).

I doubt that the name change of Harewood Road to anything else would pass acceptance due to the heritage of the area.

Personally I think that the University Village name is bland. But I understand that in terms of "image" it is probably better than Harewood.

The problem is that people think the wrong thing about Harewood. I hear North Nanaimo I think bland neighbourhoods all individually designed to look alike.

When I hear Harewood I think about neighbourhoods where people care. Where people do not hesitate to start a neighbourhood group to solve a problem. It has colour (some good some bad) but it is actually more like neighbourhoods used to be as opposed to the generic cold places they are now.

Just my thoughts... oh and I think it is misleading to call something at Rutherford "North Nanaimo". At one time it was but it certainly is not now.

[kickidee]

I heard of the name change from some from NDSS students. They say the new school will be university district high and that all the new building in the area,esp the university district mall is to upgrade Harewood to the university district. As for not being an inspiring name I've heard worse and the area abounds with rabbits and woods and lots of creepier stuff too. I was afraid to move here once but havn't felt unsafe at all. You know how some of us well past 35 like things the way they are. Harewood is home for me now.

[Shadow Wolf]

Seems obvious where the name came from. (Rabbits, woods... ). Really doesn't seem like too bad an area. I'll be living southeast of the mall, and most (not all, but most) residences in that area have been nicely fixed up and taken care of. It's quiet, you don't seem to get a lot of people wandering about. (Other than locals).

I'm looking forward to it.

But for anyone who's never heard it, it does sound kinda bad.
It's kinda like Jingle Pot - it sounds silly until you get used to it.