11995 Haney Place
Facing the ACT’s grand entrance, you’re now standing on the set of Riverdale, Sight Unseen, Allegiance, Kung Fu, You Me Her, Sitting on the Edge of Marlene, and Foreverland with Max Thieriot, among many, many more productions – over 150 in total. One day you may see this plaza played as an airport for a feel-good rom-com; the next, a psychological thriller is transforming an interior studio into a morgue.
To your left is City Hall and the adjacent Maple Ridge Business Centre, hosts of over 100 productions like Supergirl, Beyond, The Murders, Painkiller Jane, Project Mc2, Benchwarmers 2, and I Killed Him in My Sleep (aka Don’t Fall Asleep) with Abigail Breslin. Libraries, police stations, urgent care facilities, lecture halls, and courtrooms have all been played right here.
Over in the Municipal Plaza between City Hall and the police station, productions have created university campuses, elaborate Christmas markets, school board offices, and moody courthouse courtyards, among many other sets. This is also the spot you’ll often find productions parking their work trucks and setting up their crafty tables full of endless snacks for cast and crew (coffee and Dad’s cookies are always a must)! Over 62 productions including The X-Files, Mech X-4, Christmas with the Singhs, and How to Lose a Popularity Contest with Chase Hudson and Sara Waisglass have all filmed in this perhaps unassuming but absolute gem of a film spot. The Municipal Plaza is also home to the world’s largest horse clock, the Beast, designed and built by Don Brayford - inventor, poet, and Electromechanical Operations Manager for the City for 22 years. Constructed with aluminum and recycled materials, and originally operating using the Commodore 64, the Beast was built to chime every hour before rearing onto its hind legs with a heavy breath of steam. Don created this hallmark of Maple Ridge as a representation of the wealth of natural beauty the city has to offer, and the cruciality of its preservation for future generations. A plaque made in the memory of Don and his wife, Sadie, can be found on the bench just south of the Beast.
What were Maple Ridgians’ thoughts on the Beast when it was first constructed? Check out their interviews here!
Finally, looking to your right, you’ll see the great blue (previously red) brick of the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre and Greg Moore Youth Centre. Productions usually venture to these City locations for amenities including the basketball courts, gym, skate park, and pool, including The Troop, Toni Braxton's He Wasn't Man Enough with Yvette Nicole Brown, and Joy Ride with Ashley Park.
Before completely talking your ear off about this one film stop alone, though, let’s mosey on north through the Municipal Plaza and around the corner to the right toward the entrance of Maple Ridge Florist.
