Wheelchair Bonspiel One Way to Realize Community Vision
February 19, 2009
The rocks were rolling at Richmond Curling Centre as the Richmond Centre for Disability (RCD) hosted the Second Annual International Wheelchair Curling Bonspiel recently, a competition sponsored in part by the City of Richmond. Teams from as far away as Great Britain and Scotland, Manitoba and Alberta, along with Victoria, a national team and a RCD team vied for gold, silver and bronze, and moved us closer to achieving our vision to be the most appealing, liveable, and well-managed community in Canada.
The Wheelchair Bonspiel is just one of the ways the City supports and promotes access and diversity, a key component in sustainable living. The City, through the Diversity Services section of Parks and Recreation, works closely with the Richmond Centre for Disability, who in turn advises Council and staff on everything from services and support to people living with disabilities to access related issues.
The City also consults with RDC during the planning process for new or renovated community facilities or parks development to ensure accessibility. For example, RCD have been involved in the planning of Middle Arm Park that will run along a portion of the waterfront in front of the Richmond Olympic Oval.
Programs and services, provided by both RCD and Parks and Recreation, include wheelchair sports, skills training for those with cognitive or learning disabilities, the Access Card, which provides a discount to drop-in programs at recreation facilities, social activities and networking and information sharing. The full list and details are outlined in the Parks and Recreation Leisure Guide or online at http://www.richmond.ca/parksrec/about/access/about.htm.
In addition to the City, the bonspiel, held in December, was made possible by Hosting BC, Rick Hansen Foundation, 2010 Legacies Now, Curl BC, the staff of the RCD and many volunteers.
For more information, contact Diversity Services Diversity Services Staff
Coordinator Sean Davies at 604-276-4390 or Cultural Diversity Coordinator Alan Hill at 604-276-4391, fax 604-276-4132 and Telephone Device for the deaf (TDD): 604-276-4311.
