Is there enough room on Lulu Island for two summer markets?

Local residents are likely to find out starting next spring, when the original Richmond Night Market returns to town.

Well, almost.

Founder Raymond Cheung believes he’s finally found a suitable spot to re-open his trademark market.

Only thing is, it’s not in Richmond.

Cheung, who operated the market between 2000 and 2007 in various Richmond locations, confirmed Thursday the market’s 2010 home will be in New Westminster. More specifically, it will be on a four-and-a-half acre undeveloped property beside the Starlight Casino in Queensborough, about 400 meters from the Richmond border but still on Lulu Island.

This will set up an interesting competition between the originator and a knock-off (no pun intended).

Paul Cheung, who opened the Summer Night Market in 2008 when the Richmond Night Market was unable to secure a location, said a little competition is “very healthy.” He’s not related to Raymond Cheung.

Asked if he’s concerned about his vendors jumping ship, Paul Cheung said: “We have had a very successful market this year and we are confident that our vendors know we can put on a great event! We are not worried because we have taken our market in a different route and attracted many new vendors who have never attended in the past.”

The original market will run in Queensborough from May 21 until Oct. 11, operating Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holiday evenings. It will keep its Richmond Night Market moniker.

Space and parking promise not to be a problem, unlike earlier versions of the popular summer mainstay, which has earned a positive Pacific Northwest reputation and draws millions every season.

Starlight Casino, which has partnered with Raymond Cheung and his company Target Event, is offering more than 1,000 free parking spaces to market patrons. The large site, the future home of a hotel, has already been preloaded and has both electrical and water service already installed.

Raymond Cheung said it will be the largest night market in North America with 400 vendors. There will also be space for a large stage, amusement games and rides, children’s area, an outdoor food court and other activities.

It’s expected the market will draw 10,000 visitors per week and two million over the course of the year, said Darren Harding, executive general manager of the casino.

The Starlight, owned by Gateway Casinos, has created a “strategic partnership” with the market, said Harding.

Cheung needed a large enough location with enough parking and Gateway wanted to use the available land for non-gambling events that would attract people to the two-year-old casino.

Harding believes the location, central within Metro Vancouver, will draw visitors from around the region. He believes the market will be more multi-ethnic as a result.

Before the market opens it still needs to get approval from New Westminster city hall, which is requesting a traffic impact study be done. In a press conference Thursday afternoon announcing details of the market, New West mayor Wayne Wright expressed his support for it.

—by Michael McQuillan and Martin van den Hemel