1979 The Ambleside Ratepayers Association incorporates under the Society Act of BC. The applicants were Kenneth J. Baxter, Douglas C. Helmer, Kathleen A. Carter, Ingunn Kemble and Elizabeth Wootten. The society’s first President was Eddie H. McKay.
1984 The Society changes its name to the Ambleside and Dundarave Ratepayers Association (ADRA).
1986 ADRA creates THE VILLAGE WALK in honour of EXPO 86 and as an opportunity to use mankind’s most basic form of transportation – our feet. The Village Walk highlights our parks, our heritage buildings and the scenic beauty of our community. The entire tour covers approximately 15 kilometres . The project was the result of a cooperative effort of ADRA and the Municipality of West Vancouver and includes the Ambleside, Cedardale and Dundarave neighbourhoods.
The Village Walk West Vancouver
1987-89 320 Taylor Way Proposal for development. Many residents groups were involved in the process of determining what should be placed on this site. At that time ADRA supported the land be preserved as park, serving as the entrance to West Vancouver. Today, the Westroyal towers sit on the Municipal land, leased for 99 years.
1987-93 The Golf Course Proposal. ADRA expresses concerns to Council over the inevitable drainage issues, loss of old growth forest, and other environmental consequences. ADRA members Carolanne Reynolds and Elaine Fonseca became actively involved in the efforts to preserve the old growth forest. As a result of combined efforts in the community, in 2007 the Old Growth Conservancy was established to work with the DWV to protect the old growth forests.
2011 ADRA works to stop a proposal for a 28,000 square foot Arts centre to be built on the Ferry Building site at the foot of 14th Street.
2012 DWV Council adopts the “Eleven Guiding Principles” for the Ambleside Waterfront.
2013 ADRA is active in discussions around the Ambleside Waterfront with a push to keeping the waterfront free of all but small-scale arts, cultural and recreation facilities.
2013 Council approves Grosvenor application in spite of significant community opposition. Many members were against the project often described as a “cruise ship”. Traffic, loss of views, shadow effect on Marine, design not fitting into the village character many had fought so hard to protect.
2016 DWV Council ratifies Ambleside Waterfront Concept, based on significant resident input to ensure increased green space, preserve the park-like setting and place clear limits on buildings on the waterfront.
2019 ADRA hosts Town Hall meeting over proposed BLine travelling through to Dundarave to allow a venue for interested citizens to speak on this very controversial proposal. Local business owner, Nigel Malkin, was a key figure in publicizing the issues with the Translink plan.
2019 ADRA celebrates a 40th Anniversary!
2020 The Society changes its name to Ambleside & Dundarave Residents Association (ADRA).
2022 ADRA hosts sell-out All Candidates meetings for Council and Mayoralty candidates.
2023 ADRA hosts Town Hall meeting on implications of new Provincial Housing Legislation.
2024 ADRA joins the North Shore Neighbourhood Alliance as part of a group of North Shore resident’s associations concerned with the lack of transparency and accountability over the massive cost overruns of the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant.
ADRA continues to work on the Local Area Plan Ambleside, focusing on the Apartment Zone changes. Council passed a number of changes in July with amendments expected later in the year. ADRA begins work on the Commercial zone starting with a workshop on October 2nd.