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Green Scene: Mental health care belongs at Riverview by Elaine Golds for publication Jan 2/15

Like many people, members of the Riverview Horticultural Centre Society were delighted to learn the provincial government has decided to restore mental health care to the Riverview Hospital site. Of course, mental health care never really left as the Fraser Health Authority maintains 3 newer buildings that provide residential care for about 65 patients and Coast Mental Heath operates several cottages for their clients. However, the splendidly-treed 100 hectare site with several useable buildings has much greater potential to provide a full suite of mental health care and wellness services.

Designed as an innovative mental heath care site in the early 1900s, the concept behind the establishment of Riverview has certainly withstood the test of time. The site offers a quiet sense of sanctuary on a landscaped hillside reminiscent of an English country estate with an outstanding tree collection and impressive heritage buildings. Originally called Essondale when it opened in 1913, the site provided patients with architect-designed buildings that offered an abundance of natural light and a healthy contact with nature. The health care providers at Riverview always tried to deliver innovative treatment and offer patients outdoor exercise, nutritious food and a strong sense of caring community along with opportunities to acquire skills for future employment.

As the world-class tree collection matured over the years, it has been increasingly valued by arborists and tree-lovers who appreciate the manner in which many outstanding groupings of specimen trees are spread throughout the site. The artistic blending of conifers and deciduous trees with varied hues of greens, yellows and russets creates a gracious campus where a walk through the trees not only promotes a sense of unfolding beauty but also regenerates one’s spirits. As intended by the site’s original planners, a stroll around the park-like grounds at Riverview is beneficial to everyone’s mental wellness.

For almost a year, BC Housing, under the direction of the provincial government, has conducted a public visioning process regarding the future use of the lands. The one consistent idea supported by the public and municipal politicians alike has been that Riverview remains the perfect site to provide a variety of much-needed mental health care services. In fact, several of the buildings at Riverview were used as recently as the last decade for residential patient care; now these buildings are being used by the movie industry. The site has its own recreation centre, Pennington Hall, complete with a gym, bowling alley and other facilities as well as a small soccer field. In addition to residential care, the site has buildings which could provide a continuum of out-patient care services to promote mental wellness as well as teaching space. Some out-patient services are already offered at Riverview; there is great potential for the site to become a centre of excellence for specialized health care.

Members of the public have a unique opportunity to contribute their ideas for the future of Riverview at www.renewingriverview.com until January 16. Many excellent concepts have been brought forward at earlier Open Houses. People strongly support mental health care on site but also want to see additional facilities to create a more vibrant daytime community.

There is little doubt, as baby-boomers age, there will be increasing need for long-term residential care services for those suffering from dementia and related diseases. Once again, Riverview with its serene and tranquil surroundings is an ideal location for such amenities. Another critical need that could be filled at Riverview is a mental health care program for youth. Kwikwetlem First Nation also has an interest in the site and might be interested in developing some traditional healing services or a learning centre.

The only concept considered unacceptable by the Riverview Horticultural Centre Society was the suggestion to have regular residential housing and, possibly, office towers constructed at Riverview. We don’t believe such facilities could be integrated within such a specialized community. Creating a regular urban setting at Riverview would, over the long term, result in unrelenting pressure to provide more of the same including commercial buildings and shopping. It would not take long for the special features, unique services and sense of sanctuary that defines Riverview to be totally undermined.

We urge everyone with an interest in the future of Riverview to participate in the online web survey at www.renewingriverview.com. Allow about 45 minutes to go through the 47 illustrations of various activities which can be quickly rated as “loving it”, “OK, but needs some work” or “belongs elsewhere”. Now is the time for people who care about the future of Riverview to speak up.

A Unique Collection of Heritage Trees ARBORETUM

in COQUITLAM, BC - 2601 Lougheed Hwy.


Riverview Horticultural Centre Society
Como Lake RPO, PO Box 64616
Coquitlam, BC, V3J 7V7
604-290-9910

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