Highlights of the second quarter of 2022 included the opening of the city's largest community garden to date, the return of the B.C. Elementary Track and Field Championships, and opportunities to explore the city through Doors Open Richmond.

APRIL

Minoru Lakes restoration begins

Minoru Park’s lakes district closed in early April and will re-open in early 2023. The updated design features a new cascading waterfall, new plaza areas, site furnishings, paved pathways and boardwalks with lighting, planting focused on ecological benefits, and more. Renewal of the lakes is a result of a combination of factors including aging and inefficient infrastructure. 

The existing lakes and plaza areas, as well as some pathways and trails, are closed during construction. Other amenities within Minoru Park remain open.

New community garden opens

The city opened its largest community garden to date, with 200 plots available on the Garden City Lands.

“We have a list of people wanting a garden plot that is so full, so this is such a welcome addition to the city,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie.

Richmond’s community garden sites are managed by non-profit organization Urban Bounty. Its urban agriculture coordinator Stephanie Mak said when the new garden opened, about 500 people remained on the city’s waitlist for garden plots.

A number of bee hives are also on-site at the new community garden, with the outside of the hive boxes painted by local artists.

Paralympian inducted to Circle of Excellence

Richmond Paralympian Walter Wu was inducted to Swimming Canada’s Circle of Excellence. The ceremony took place alongside the 2022 Bell Canadian Swimming Trials, which served as a qualification meet for this year’s World Championships and Commonwealth Games.

Wu competed in the 1996, 2000, and 2004 Paralympics and won nine gold, four silver, and two bronze medals. He also set new world and Paralympic records before retiring following the 2004 games.

“Considering I’ve been out of swimming for 20 years, it was a nice thing to go back down memory lane,” said Wu. “I’ve never been one to brag about what I’ve done or not done, but it’s nice to be recognized for what you’ve done.”

Cherry Blossom Festival online

The Richmond Cherry Blossom Festival returned as a virtual celebration, featuring original video content including how-to demonstrations with local artisans and new musical performances. The festival annually highlights the beauty of 255 Akebono cherry trees that were donated to the city from the BC Wakayama Kenjin Kai. People could also see the blooming of the cherry blossoms in Garry Point Park through weekly blossom reports shared via Instagram Stories. 

New Minoru arts centre gets funding

The city received more than $2 million in joint provincial and federal funding for its new arts centre, which will be a repurposing of the former Minoru Place Activity Centre. The local commitment is part of a joint federal-provincial initiative that saw more than $110.3 million going to 57 community, recreation, and green infrastructure projects across B.C. Richmond’s new facility will include two dance studios, a pottery studio, a media arts studio, and multipurpose program rooms.

Night market opens

The Richmond Night Market opened on April 29 with a theme of “Summer Magic Rainbow,” aiming to offer a rainbow of possibilities to visitors. 

“The rainbow represents the end of a rainstorm,” said founder Raymond Cheung. “After the storm of the pandemic, the sun is shining through right here.”

Cheung founded the market 22 years ago, hoping to contribute something unique and family-friendly to Richmond’s night life.

The night market’s international food court, with over 500 unique dishes, is one of the biggest appeals for visitors.

MAY

New Fire-Rescue, RCMP leaders

Richmond Fire-Rescue and Richmond RCMP both welcomed new leaders in the month of May. 

Former deputy fire chief Jim Wishlove, who has been an active firefighter for over 30 years, is taking over the post of chief from Tim Wilkinson. 

Chief Superintendent Dave Chauhan is Richmond RCMP’s new officer in charge, taking over from Chief Superintendent Will Ng who held the post for five years and is now Assistant Commissioner in charge of federal investigative services and organized crime for BC RCMP.

New chamber president

Shaena Furlong took over as president and chief executive officer of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, replacing Dan Baxter who departed for personal reasons. Furlong  spent a decade working for the organization in various capacities, most recently as its director of operations. The chamber also welcomed new communications and policy coordinator Aleena Hussain, as well as a new board of directors.

Artist donates pieces

World-renowned artist Cecilia Aisin-Gioro attended a Richmond fundraising gala and donated three pieces of her art. Born in China, Aisin-Gioro is a descendant of the Qing Dynasty royal family. She now lives in Vancouver.

“My art is a visible creation that comes from the invisible language (that) I see around people, stories, inner worlds, passions, instincts, and consciousness,” said Aisin-Gioro.

Young Richmondites excel 

Richmondite Maryam Abusamak, 16, was one of three winners in B.C.’s Democracy & Me poetry contest with her poem “My Weapon.” She saw the poetry contest as “a perfect opportunity to raise my voice and make a difference through words.”

Another Richmondite, Kieran Foster, won first place at the Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair. His chemistry project successfully changed the chemical composition of wood to make it harder.

Teenage artist Angel Yuan displayed her original art installation, Sugar Coated, at Richmond’s Lipont Gallery. The display is a colourful landscape, reminiscent of mountain ranges depicted in Dr. Seuss’s art, that replicates the appearance of quartz crystal with the use of sugar.

Track and field championships back in Richmond

The B.C. Elementary Track and Field Championships returned to Richmond in late May. This was the 52nd year that Kajaks Track and Field Club hosted the event.

“The B.C. Elementary Track and Field Championships (BCEC) has been a stepping stone for most kids as their first exposure to compete in a big sanctioned meet,” said Kajaks executive board member Lanie Man. “We strive to provide a fun, safe, and supportive environment for the student athletes to compete in.”

The event is open to all students in grades 3 to 7, with no qualifying or experience necessary.

Byng elementary marks centenary

Lord Byng Elementary School celebrated its 100th birthday with a variety of activities. But the property’s use as a school dates back to 1897 when the first one-room school—named Steveston School—was built near the corner of No. 1 Road and Georgia Street. In 1923, the school began allowing Japanese, Chinese, and First Nations students to attend. The current school building was constructed in 1995.

“For me it’s really important to look at history—learning about the school’s history gives us a connection to place,” said Byng teacher Helen Sipsas, who has taught at the school since 1990. “We reflect on history, create memories, connect with culture, and establish identity.” 

Sprouts early childhood development hub opens

The city’s first Early Childhood Development (ECD) Hub, called Sprouts, had its official opening in late May. It is the 11th city-owned facility providing licensed child care and is operated by the YMCA of Greater Vancouver. There are 92 spaces for infants, toddlers, and children up to 12 years old. A second city-owned ECD Hub, Seedlings, opened in July.

JUNE

Richmond hosts wheelchair rugby tournament

The 2022 Canada Cup International Wheelchair Rugby Tournament took place in Richmond and saw the Canadian men’s team competing in its first international competition, taking on six other teams.

The Canada Cup aims to provide an opportunity for the top teams in the sport to get competition ahead of the World Championships and Paralympics.

Doors Open again

Doors Open Richmond returned in early June, offering in-person activities as well as online options. This year’s event featured 35 sites that represent the city’s cultural diversity and rich heritage. The event is organized by the Richmond Museum Society.

“Richmond is one of the most diverse cities in Canada, with more than 60 per cent of residents born outside of the country,” said Jaeden Dela Torre, vice-chair of the Richmond Museum Society. “Doors Open Richmond is a chance to celebrate this diversity and a way to bring together the many communities that comprise the city.” 

Faces of Richmond exhibition

During Seniors Week, the Community Arts Council of Richmond presented a unique art exhibition, Faces of Richmond, that introduced residents to seniors’ stories.

Local artist Bea Martin said the idea of the project, to speak to people and paint their portraits, had always appealed to her. In the end, 10 artists worked on 12 portraits and the finished artworks were given to the seniors after they were displayed in the Seniors Centre in the Minoru Centre for Active Living.

“My hope is that this project is made for (seniors) to feel that they belong, and to look back with pride and feel that their contribution matters, that they’re a pillar in the community,” said Martin. 

Lime scooters popping up across Richmond

The city continued to promote its Lime electric scooter (e-scooter) and electric bike (e-bike) program as the weather warmed up, and in June an additional 85 e-scooters, 10 e-bikes, and 25 parking corrals were added to the city centre.

Lime general manager Chris Iuvancigh said the most popular areas initially were around the Richmond Olympic Oval and near Canada Line stations. 

“We started really small on purpose, because we didn’t want to spread it too thin. Right now we have 25 parking spaces throughout the Richmond city core, approximately 100 vehicles. We will scale up to get a little bit broader throughout Richmond and provide more parking options,” said Iuvancigh.

In the first six weeks or so, nearly 3,500 Lime trips were made in Richmond, covering a total distance of 8,500 kilometres.

Student participates in emerging composers program

Grade 11 student Emma Murray, who plays a multitude of instruments, was part of the Hard Rubber Orchestra jazz band’s emerging composers program. She had her original composition, “That’s One Cool Dinosaur,” played by the orchestra as part of the program.

“I love learning new instruments, and composing and arranging, as well as playing my primary instrument the double bass,” said Murray. “Because I have continued to do all of those things, I often have many opportunities to play and be involved in musical events.”