Like many people, I was delighted to learn the provincial government has decided to restore mental health care part of the Riverview Hospital site.
Of course, mental health care never really left as the Fraser Health Authority maintains three newer buildings that provide residential care for about 65 patients and Coast Mental Heath operates several cottages for their clients. However, the treed 100 hectare site with several usable 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 with an abundance of natural light and a healthy contact with nature. 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 green, yellow and russet creates a gracious campus where a walk through the trees not only promotes a sense of unfolding beauty but also regenerates one's spirits. 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 local politicians alike has been that Riverview is the perfect site to provide a variety of much-needed mental health care services. In fact, several of the buildings at Riverview were used in the last decade for residential patient care. The site even 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. Some out-patient services are already offered at Riverview; surely there is great potential for the site to become a centre of excellence for specialized health care.
Members of the public can now provide feedback at www.renewingriverview.com until Jan. 16. So far, many excellent concepts have been brought forward. People strongly support mental health care on site but also want to see additional facilities to create a vibrant daytime community.
There is little doubt that 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 was felt to be 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 possibly be interested in developing some traditional healing services or a learning centre.
The only concept which I felt was unacceptable was the desire of some people to see regular residential housing and, possibly, office towers constructed at Riverview. I don't see how such facilities could be integrated within such a specialized community. In fact, I fear developing 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.
I encourage 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." If you care about the future of Riverview, now is the time to speak up.
