A group of Maple Ridge residents living at Brookside Gardens on Dewdney Truck Road will be allowed to keep their Halloween decorations.
The residents living in the 208 block of Dewdney Trunk Road were given a letter dated October 12 by Capreit Real Estate, the company that owns the apartment complex, stating all decorations had to be removed by Monday, Oct. 16 at 9 a.m. or they will be removed and disposed of by the landlord.
Shelly Balson, a resident of Brookside Gardens for the past seven years, said residents were just informed by letter that they will be able to keep their decorations up after all. She said the letter Capreit sent stated the original intent was a safety concern, however after numerous complaints they have decided to reverse their decision.
鈥淭his whole ordeal was stupid,鈥� said Balson. 鈥淭his was about having an event for kids to have a good time.鈥�
The original letter explains that the exterior of all the units are considered common areas and can鈥檛 be decorated. Capreit is one of Canada鈥檚 largest residential landlords, owning interests in 49,073 residential units, comprised of 42,622 residential suites and 31 manufactured home communities with 6,451 land lease sites in and around major urban centres across Canada and The Netherlands. The company took over the complex in earlier in the summer.
Balson said she and many of her neighbours look forward to Halloween, giving them a chance to attract friends and family to the complex.
鈥淭his is ridiculous,鈥� said an agitated Balson. 鈥淐ome on, this is for the kids. The whole complex gets behind it. It鈥檚 so much fun to see all the children dressed up, trick-or-treating. I don鈥檛 understand what鈥檚 the point.鈥�
Balson said she takes great pride in decorating her apartment at Halloween, spending hours getting it ready. She also said she and a number of residents goes all out during Christmas as well. She said she鈥檚 called Capreit repeatedly looking for an explanation behind the decision and has not heard back.
鈥漌e鈥檙e a community here. It鈥檚 bring neighbours together.鈥�
Gale Nadon, whose son lives in Brookside Gardens, said she brings her grandchildren from New Westminster just to trick-or-treat at the complex. The idea that resident鈥檚 can鈥檛 put up displays is disheartening.
鈥淚 think their wrong. It鈥檚 a family-oriented place. The older people love to see it, they love to see the kids, and that鈥檚 what keeps them going.鈥�
A call to Capreit鈥檚 office in Vancouver was directed to chairman Mike Stein, located in Toronto. There has been no response as of yet.
