Maillardville has the potential to be the crown jewel of Coquitlam’s western border. But transforming its urban/suburban landscape from a bleak collection of office buildings, pubs and pizza stores — even a pawnshop — to a cultural precinct that draws both tourists and residents will require more than good intentions.

Unfortunately, the recent misunderstanding over the mythical promise of $5 million for a new community centre does little to move the project along. Everyone needs to work together to make Maillardville an attractive place to live and visit, and worrying about the mishandling of a non-existent pot of money won’t encourage harmony.

Instead, Coquitlam council needs to take a realistic approach toward the development of a long-term revitalization plan and bring all the partners to the table in this endeavour.

The question that should be asked is this: Even if the city had $5 million burning a hole in its pocket, would building a new community centre in Maillardville be the best place to spend it?

Millions of taxpayers’ dollars have already been spent on Heritage Square, renovating the museum, the arts centre and beautifying the streetscape. But these lovely additions have done little to improve the area, which is still just a thoroughfare for people getting to Burnaby or New Westminster. Those who live in Maillardville still complain about crime and vandalism. In fact, some in the recent past even called for SkyTrain to go through their neighbourhood in the hopes it would bring life to the community.

Money, if it did exist, could be better spent on a facility that would benefit more of the city’s residents. Swimming pools and skating rinks, parks, cycling routes and a linear park along the Fraser River would serve more people than a community centre serving the city’s small French-speaking population.

Much attention has been paid to building up the local infrastructure, now the city must look for other ways to revitalize that corner of Coquitlam. Is densifying Brunette Avenue an option?

Perhaps it’s time developers and landowners, not just taxpayers, started to foot the bill for improvements. But to get their attention, Coquitlam councillors have to stop sniping at one another and start providing real leadership.