Size, as it happens, does seem to matter – at least as far as the Richmond Chinese Community Society (RCCS) is concerned.
After more than 20 years in the same location on Park Road in City Centre, RCCS went through the painful process of moving from its 4,000-square-foot “home” last month, due to spiralling rental costs.
However, with the 28-year-old non-profit organization’s new base on Westminster Highway at Buswell Street being at least half the square footage, RCCS has, unfortunately, had to cut or merge some of its programs.
And with RCCS having in the region of 1,000 active members — many of whom are seniors of Chinese ethnicity — it fears it may lose some of its clients because of the crush.
“We only have one activity room, so we’ve had to reduce our programing. I don’t think the members are too happy,” said RCCS executive director Henry Beh.
‘Not everyone is getting to take part in what they want; there are people missing out and we will probably lose some members.
“I hate moving. It was tough moving from a big space to a small space, as it really limits what we can do. We can’t do drop-in programs, for example, as we don’t have the space. Space is the most important thing for us and it’s stopping us from introducing new programs as well.”
Linda Li, the society’s new president, said trying to find somewhere affordable in a central location — where their seniors members can easily access — is proving to be very challenging.
“Affordability is a big issue, we just can’t pay the big, commercial rents; we are a non-profit,” said Li.
“We’ve signed a lease here for three years, but the parking is going to be an issue. We have only two assigned spaces outside in the parking lot.
“The City of Richmond is helping us to look for a bigger space. They show us around places, but it has to be affordable and it has to be on the bus route, or within walking distance; if it’s on River Road or something, it’s not going to work.”
As well as laying on programs and classes for Richmond’s Chinese community, RCCS runs the Chinese New Year celebrations at Lansdowne Mall, the Mid-Autumn Festival and takes part in the Salmon Festival parade on Canada Day in Steveston.
“RCCS been in the parade since 1996 and were the first Chinese group to take part,” added Beh.
RCCS is also in the middle of organizing for the weekend of July 29, the RCCS Canada 150 Art and Cultural Festival, which will be held on the plaza outside at Lansdowne Canada Line station and inside Lansdowne Centre.
RCCS’ mandate is to “assist in the process of integration and assimilation of Chinese-Canadians into mainstream society” and provides a variety of services and programs to the community, such as fitness dance, ballroom dance, Tai Chi and Yuanji classes, karaoke, yoga, Chinese brush painting, calligraphy and belly dance.
If you would like to join or volunteer with RCCS, call 604-270-7222, email [email protected] or go online to RCCS.ca.
