Woodgrove Centre — Local services in Nanaimo

I was in Woodgrove Centre today and was absolutely dismayed as to a new “policy” which targets persons with disabilities!! You now are charging $10 for 2hrs of using a motorized scooter while shopping!! I was told this came into effect as of May 15, 2024 and is to pay for maintenance of these units. First of all you only have 3 of them available and they are NOT brand new!! In a community of over 120,000 residents (nevermind touting yourselves as the largest mall on Vancouver Island), this already seems inadequate. Also, the majority of people who need to use such a device in the largest mall on Vancouver Island are on fixed and/or disability incomes and these are the people you need to take money from?? It absolutely seems as if your “policy” is nothing more than a statement of telling those of us with disabilities and other challenges have no business being in the mall in the first place and should just stay home!!! That is absolutely how I felt today, as an amputee, trying very hard to just be as independent as I can and who is on a very fixed income. But your greed and discrimination SCREAMED loudly that you put your own profits above supporting any accessible and inclusive environment.

How completely disappointing in this day and age!!

Are the parents taking out the “carts” for their children being charged a fee? NO! Are they subject to a time limit? NO! And how many of those are available at the mall? I counted at least 12 today 🤷🏼‍♀️

I am tired of the lack of respect and awareness we on lower incomes and disabilities are constantly being made to feel “less than” through policies like this which, in my opinion, is nothing more than discriminatory and...

Who in their right mind closes down the entire mall at 6pm on a weekday? So much business lost. For those who get off of work at 5pm or later they are in a race against the clock. It's a mad rush to get there and then you have just a few minutes to shop or eat. There is clearly countless thousands of dollars in lost revenue here because of the early closing factor. This is the best mall in all Nanaimo. Why do you limit yourselves like this? This mall could easily be expanded into the parking lot to increase the amount of sales space for new stores and create an underground parkade for vehicles, Instead of above ground. This would also allow the mall to be able to avoid the yearly spending of unnecessary revenue on ice/snow removal thus removing the dangerous conditions associated with winter in the process. If the mall had enough stores and options in addition to closing later at 9-10pm M-F rather than 6pm I believe it would attract many more people even from out of the area. I have no doubt that there would be investors lining up to help build it all if the owner was motivated enough to ask for funds. Imagine a metro town type of mall here. It would be packed with...

Woodgrove Centre in Nanaimo is a fantastic place for a day out. It's clean, well-maintained, and has everything you need to get things done, whether you're shopping or just looking for a nice place to walk. The mall has a solid variety of stores, and I was pleased to see a Winners right there. The food court is a definite highlight, with plenty of diverse options to choose from—it's not just your typical fast food. The walking areas are spacious and well-lit, making it easy to get some exercise while you browse, and the washrooms are notably clean. For those with electric vehicles, the Tesla chargers in the long parking lot are a huge plus. The only small downside I found was with the parking lot itself. While it's very large and has plenty of space, finding a different exit can be a bit confusing. It seems like most people are funneled out through the same main roads, which can get a little busy. A better-marked or more varied exit strategy would be a helpful improvement. Overall, Woodgrove Centre is a great place to visit. It’s got a clean, modern feel with all the key amenities, and it’s a wonderful spot to spend a few hours. I highly recommend it for both shopping and a...