The Editor,
Re. "Riverview Stories" (The Tri-City News, June 29 and July 4).
The grounds of Riverview contain some of the most beautiful gardens in Coquitlam. Gardens are full of healing therapy.
Why not turn Riverview into a naturopathic healing centre as well as a major post secondary school or university? The land and buildings are already there. What a beautiful school it could be.
The land should never be paved. It is a paradise.
The current grassy settings as well as Colony Farm could be turned into giant fields and gardens where we could grow all sorts of organic trees, fruits vegetables, herbs, flowers, plants, whatever necessary. The school/university would also produce essential oils and naturopathic remedies that could be used within the clinic or sold to the community or online.
This school/university/medical centre could include all forms of non-traditional medical doctors as well. The buildings could be restored and upgraded. Local schools could participate in voluntary hours of participation as well as provide scholarships.
Secondary school students could begin apprenticeships either in natural healing or carpentry, plumbing, electrical, painting, tiling, gardening, landscaping, horticulture, etc.
The post-secondary school would embrace all cultures of naturopathic medicine. We could create jobs. The profits from the gardens would raise money for the university as well as provide a natural source of food and naturopathic remedies/medicine within our very own city.
The buildings are already there. The land is already there. Let us turn it into a jewel and get back to looking after ourselves naturally as well as providing healing relief to those in need.
The people of Coquit-lam need to think this through. Do not let Riverview lands be developed or you will lose something very special. It is our very own Garden of Eden. Are we going to be the ones that pave paradise and put up a parking lot (editor's note: see Your History, page A20) or turn it into something incredibly useful?
Teresa Willms, Coquitlam
