The City of Richmond has some grand designs in store for the renovation and revitalization of the popular Steveston Community Centre. A partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) and the City is in the works to replace the current community centre by 2026. Few plans have been set in stone so far, but the current vision is to create a complex that contains a new community centre as well as a library, a playground and possibly even a residential tower senior housing.
Since an assisted living facility, an independent living facility and condos popular with seniors are all located nearby, creating a senior-focused Steveston Community Centre would cement the area as a high-density “campus of care” for seniors with easy walkability and mobility between facilities.
If such a plan were to come to fruition, it would spell great news for those who want to live in Richmond condos near their parents or seniors who wish to downsize to condos located conveniently next to vital community and medical services.
Steveston Park Gets Significant Improvements, New Playground
Many of the most ambitious plans for Stevenston Park are still very much in the air as the Council, VCH and other parties discuss the possibilities for the site. One thing they do know for sure is that the park will receive a shiny new playground in the near future. This play facility is currently in the planning stages with no early architectural drafts made available to the public.
Also in the “very likely” category is the possibility that the renovated Stevenston Community Centre will have a library added to it, enhancing neighbourhood services as well as programs for adults and children alike. If this plan were to be put into effect, city planners predict that the facility will cost between $40 and $54 million.
City planners are also being given a $2 million fund to solicit and contract design bids in order to help determine preliminary design possibilities for the facilities.
City Improvement Funded Partially by Casino Earnings
Improvement funds are being provided primarily from revenues the city earns from the River Rock Casino and Resort. In total, the casino has generated $167.8 million in income for the city since 2004. Most of this money will go towards infrastructural improvements — including a $50 million renovation for the Richmond Olympic Oval — as well as for new facilities.
In addition to the Steveston Community Park project, the city anticipates having to build or update new facilities for the City Centre Community Centre North, the Lawn Bowling Clubhouse, Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site and the Phoenix Net Loft in addition to a new Richmond Animal Shelter.
The new $80 million Minoru Complex is also expected to be open to the public by early next year.
Altogether, these projects signal the dedication Richmond, B.C. puts into improving the infrastructure and public services for the community. Those who are interested in living conveniently close to new projects like these can view my Richmond condos listings to find the perfect urban-focused living in the city centre and parts nearby.
