Dear Editor,
For several years, my mother has volunteered to maintain the beautiful garden outside the Richmond Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop on Chatham Street.
Inside the bright red doors, the shop is run by more than 100 volunteers, who work to raise money for health services in Richmond.
Recently, I learned of the thrift shop’s entry into a contest run by the National Trust of Canada to, hopefully, fund some much needed repairs.
Though I am in support of this contest, it fills me with some sadness and frustration that an important part of Steveston heritage needs to turn to online crowdfunding to be restored.
The shop was originally a church built in 1894 and has been a fixture of Steveston ever since. At a time when Richmond is profiting from mass development and real estate expansion, it is shameful that a historic building in our community has to scrounge for repairs.
I urge all readers to join me in writing letters to our city council asking for the repairs to be funded by the city, and for the building to be restored to its full potential.
In particular, I would recommend directing letters to: Coun. Derek Dang (Heritage Commission), Coun. Ken Johnston (Tourism Richmond Association), Coun. Bill McNulty (Steveston Historical Society), Coun. Alexa Loo (Steveston Community Society), and Mayor Malcolm Brodie.
Kira Hogarth-Davis
Richmond
