Community Association
The Thompson Community Association works in partnership with the City of Richmond to provide leisure, and fitness facilities. The Association's mandate is to reflect the needs of the residents of the Thompson area and provide opportunities to suit those needs.
Vision Statement
The Thompson Community Association is an active supporter of the community by providing social and recreational programs, events and healthy living opportunities to enhance the quality of life and promote active living for all.
Executive
- President: Angela Lim
- Vice President/Director: Gerald Galasso
- Secretary/Director: Violet Smythe
- Treasurer/Director: Jacqueline Cuo
- Director: George Atkinson
- Director: Lisa Kowan
- Director: Harry Wong
- Director: Howard Smythe
- Director: Jake Pogoson
- Director: Ann Reiner
- Director: Pauline Chan
- Director: John Dumfries
- Director: Marion Gray
- Director: Wendy Leung
- Recording Secretary: Nora Wright
History
The roots of the Thompson Community Association date back to 1949. After World War II, the Thompson farm was purchased by the Veterans Land Act and sub-divided into one acre parcels for sale to veterans. Land was set aside for Gibbons Park and a leftover half acre site was given to the community by the V.L.A. for a community building. In 1949, the original Thompson Community Association was formed under the direction Mr. Hammell and Mr. Anderson. Unfortunately, Mr. Hammell passed away before completion of the building and enthusiasm waned.
Two or three years later the building was given to the School Board to serve the children of the area with the understanding that it would also be available free of charge for community use. It became the first site of James Thompson Elementary School, comprised of two classrooms, washrooms and a small entry hall. A larger school was built on an adjacent site in 1956, with the gymnasium added in 1964. The original building remained as an annex to Thompson school until 1991, when it was demolished after another major addition to the school.
With the opening of the gym at Thompson School, there was renewed interest in a community association and in January 1965, Marg Zellweger and Sue Blakely canvassed the community inviting everyone to an organizational meeting. Over 100 people showed up and the Thompson Community Association was formed, with Mr. Fred Price elected President and Mrs. Zellweger as Program Committee Chairman. In these early years, the Association members were very active as volunteers; teaching classes, raising funds, building the adventure playground at Thompson School and facilitating the organization of a gymnastics club, Cubs, Scouts, Brownies and Guides. Meetings were generally held in the homes of the Board members, programs in the gym and multipurpose rooms at Thompson School, while the dances, socials and picnics organized each year took place in other public facilities.
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| Original Community Centre Building |
The need for a facility of Thompson's own was soon identified and many dedicated members worked toward this end for many years. In 1983, the old City Works Yard stores building near the corner of Lynas Lane and Granville Avenue was renovated by the City and opened as the first Thompson Community Centre. With no gym, concrete floors, only a few windows, and limited space, it was always seen as a temporary facility. The City recognized this and worked with the Association to determine the needs of the community for a new building and park amenities.
Along with the other Richmond community associations, Thompson was thrilled with the results of the 1987 public referendum that allowed the City to borrow money for new community centre buildings and additions. A Building Committee was formed in 1988 and the Board began working to raise the funds needed for furnishings and equipment for the new building. The Association secured a GoBC grant for $750,000. At the same time, the needs of the area were re-examined and negotiations for the School Board Works Yard property adjacent the existing building site were undertaken. The site was designated a post-disaster facility, requiring substantial structural upgrades to both soils and the building design.
Henriquez - Partners were hired as the architects and a bold architectural theme was agreed upon - the new building would resemble a bi-plane exiting a hangar, the remainder of the site would depict a map of the City. Ito and Associates were hired to design the park landscape. The new building was finally completed and opened in conjunction with the Nibbles and Bites Food Festival in September 1995. Renovations were undertaken in the old building and this re-opened at the same time. The official opening was celebrated on October 14, 1995 with a banquet honouring all former and current Board members, the Building Committee and those who were integral in the building of the new facility.
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| Ground Breaking Ceremonial Plane Launch |
The park, opened on May 31, 1997, was another major project of the Association. Association volunteers worked closely with City staff to develop the new Park Plan. Four tennis courts, basketball courts, a children's playground, a roller hockey/lacrosse box, and a treed and grassy area for informal use are always open to the public.
Since the opening of the new building, use of the facility has risen dramatically. The Association employs several full-time coordinators to oversee youth, fitness and preschool programs and services. Volunteers continue to play a key role in all aspects of the operation of the Thompson Community Centre. In the partnership with the City, the Association provides high quality leisure opportunities that are responsive to the needs of the community at the lowest possible cost.
In 1992, with assistance from some Steveston Community Society volunteers, Thompson Community Association set out to raise its profile by means of a community festival. "Nibbles and Bites of Richmond" brings together numerous local restaurants offering "nibble and bite"- sized samples of their cuisine. Attracted by non-stop entertainment, sports competitions, a craft and exhibitors fair and a children's carnival, up to 12,000 people have attended each year. As many as 200 volunteers, mostly youth, contribute their time to make Nibbles and Bites a success. It is held on the second weekend of September.
