If there is such a thing as elves working through the night, they were busy getting renovations at Woodgrove Centre done in time for Santa’s arrival.
The jolly old elf himself took the stage with representatives from Woodgrove property owner Ivanhoe Cambridge, the city and the United Way on Thursday evening to personally throw a big switch – in the form of giant candy cane – to reveal the new interior decor of the mall’s $20-million renovations project, illuminate the big Christmas tree and power up the giant toys in Santa’s new fantasy home in Woodgrove’s centre court.
Since the reno project started in January, Woodgrove has been updated with a cleaner, brighter interior that includes a new guest services centre and a refreshed food court that now features charging stations, improved recycling facilities and added seating. Customer washrooms have been modernized as have the flooring, ceiling treatments and interior lighting, which has been totally converted to LED. Entrances have been refreshed inside and out, sliding entrance doors have been added and new exterior signs promote the mall’s stores and services on the Island Highway, Nanaimo Parkway, Mary Ellen Drive and Aulds Road.
At the celebration, attended by dozens of children and their families eager to welcome Santa, Woodgrove Centre presented a donation of $5,000 to the United Way as part of the mall’s 18 Days of Giving campaign.
For more information, please visit www.woodgrovecentre.com or the mall's social media channels.