|
|
1955-2005
Within this past fifty year time frame some significant changes have
altered the development pattern of the previous period. For a time
it appeared that the core, downtown area, would continue to be the
energy focal point for a quickly growing community. As London’s
centennial approached in 1955 the city had already began to address
the need for downtown parking with the creation of the Covent Garden
Market Parking facility which was to open in 1959. Further
development focused on the construction of the enclosed Wellington
Square Retail Mall in 1960. The creation of a new civic square
complex including a City Hall and Centennial Hall concert venue
contributed to the sense of a vibrant downtown economic centre. A
new art gallery and museum was built at the Forks of the Thames in
1981 near the recently completed Federal Court building. In the
1980s the Wellington Square Mall was replaced by the Galleria Mall,
an even larger enclosed retail outlet, and a former commercial block
on Talbot Street was demolished for a competing retail project.
However, while these projects were underway, economic forces were
shifting power to the suburbs and to the regional malls on the
outskirts of the city. Highway traffic patterns accelerated this
trend. As well, national and global economic patterns saw the
transfer of a number of head offices located in London to cities
elsewhere in Canada or abroad. While the city continued to grow, the
impact of the growth reduced the importance of the former commercial
district in the old downtown. Most recently, the city has attempted
to revive the downtown areas with capital projects such as a new
Covent Garden Market, a combined hockey arena and entertainment
centre, a new Central Public Library within the Galleria Mall and a
Forks of the Thames Water Park.
Within this same time frame London has also experienced considerable
growth in both its medical and educational sectors. The University
of Western Ontario has become one of the preeminent facilities in
Canada. Fanshawe College is one of Ontario’s major community
colleges. Culturally, the city has been further enriched with a
variety of heritage museums, a reconstructed Grand Theatre and
London Community Playhouse, a new performance hall in the new
library and a revitalized Aeolian Hall in the former London East
Town Hall. Heritage Conservation Districts have stabilized the
heritage character of East Woodfield and the Bishop Hellmuth
Districts and plans are underway for a similar district to assist in
the revitalization of the Old East community. An extensive trail
system has reminded Londoners of their connection to the Thames
River, a designated heritage river. Recently - completed renovations
to Victoria Park and Storybook Gardens have allowed both sites to
continue to offer Londoners recreational opportunities. Summer
festivals have become important community events reflecting the
cultural diversity of the modern city. Medical, Sports and Business
Halls of Fame draw attention to the achievements made by many London
citizens over the years.
Sesquicentennial Londoners, now over 348 000 in total, can look back
with a sense of accomplishment to the effort and perseverance which
has brought their city to where it is today. |
|
|
