March 24, 2026 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm Brodie

Councillor Michael Wolfe, Chair
Councillor Laura Gillanders
Councillor Andy Hobbs (by teleconference)
Councillor Bill McNulty

Also Present:

Councillor Carol Day

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee held on February 24, 2026, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

PARKS, RECREATION & CULTURE DIVISION

1.

Arts Services Year in Review 2025

(File Ref. No. 11-7000-11-01) (REDMS No. 7953503)

Staff presented a video summary of 2025 arts activities (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office).

It was requested that the Arts Services Year in Review 2025 presentation be forwarded to the April 13, 2026 Council meeting.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Arts Services Year in Review 2025 as presented in the report titled, “Arts Services Year in Review 2025”, dated March 2, 2026, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, be received for information; and

(2)

That the Arts Services Year in Review 2025 be circulated to community partners and interested parties for their information.

CARRIED

2.

Application for a Permit to Allow for the Discharge of Firearms at 7340 Sidaway Rd

(File Ref. No. 11-7000-10-01) (REDMS No. 8326733)

In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) no complaints have been received by the Richmond RCMP or Bylaws department over the past five years of operations, (ii) the Vancouver Gun Club offers a range of shooting disciplines, including trap and skeet, to both members and the public, (iii) the Firearms Bylaw does not stipulate a time limit for the duration of the permit, and a five-year limit is recommended to allow for periodic review while aligning with the five-year renewal requirements under the Shooting Clubs and Shooting Ranges Regulations, and (iv) there is no residency requirement to be a member of the Vancouver Gun Club.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the application by the Vancouver Gun Club for a permit to allow for the discharge of firearms under the City of Richmond's Regulating the Discharge of Firearms Bylaw No. 4183 for the property at 7340 Sidaway Road, Richmond be approved as detailed in the report titled, “Application for a Permit to Allow for the Discharge of Firearms at 7340 Sidaway Road, Richmond”, dated March 2, 2026, from the Director of Recreation and Sport Services; and

(2)

That the General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture, be authorized to issue a permit as described in Attachment 2, to allow for the discharge of firearms at the Vancouver Gun Club under the City of Richmond’s Regulating the Discharge of Firearms Bylaw No. 4183 for the property at 7340 Sidaway Road.

CARRIED

3.

Steveston Park Legacy Walk – Expanded Scope of Work and Budget Increase

(File Ref. No. 06-2345-20-STEV2) (REDMS No. 8349416)

Jim Kojima, Director, Steveston Community Society and member of the Japanese Canadian Heritage Committee, spoke in support of the Steveston Park Legacy Walk concept plan, noting (i) improved lighting and safety, (ii) path widening and accessibility improvements, and (iii) Steveston Community Society’s contribution and additional funding required for the expanded scope of work.

Staff were directed to provide a memorandum with additional detail on the proposed pathway network, including diagrams and information related to tree removal and planting.

Discussion ensued regarding (i) the expanded scope of work, (ii) accessibility and safety improvements, (iii) proposed lighting, (iv) the Cherry Tree Allee, (v) tree preservation and enhancement, (vi) enhanced connectivity and the establishment of a more cohesive and unified pathway network, and (v) the future vision for Steveston Community Park.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the expanded scope of work for the Steveston Park Legacy Walk as outlined in the report titled “Steveston Park Legacy Walk – Expanded Scope of Work and Budget Increase”, dated March 2, 2026, from the Director, Park Services, be approved;

(2)

That a $300,000 budget increase for the Steveston Park Legacy Walk capital project with $100,000 funded from the Council Community Initiatives Account and $200,000 from external contribution as outlined in the report titled “Steveston Park Legacy Walk –Expanded Scope of Work and Budget Increase”, dated March 2, 2026, from the Director, Park Services, be approved;

(3)

Should Council approve the proposed expanded scope of work and budget increase, the Chief Administrative Officer and the General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture be authorized to amend the existing contribution agreement on behalf of the City of Richmond with the Steveston Community Society, to reflect the additional contribution from the Steveston Community Society to the City;

(4)

That the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2026–2030) be amended accordingly; and

(5)

That staff proceed with next steps, as outlined in the report titled “Steveston Park Legacy Walk – Expanded Scope of Work and Budget Increase”, dated March 2, 2026, from the Director, Park Services.

CARRIED

4.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

Ships to Shore and Richmond Celebrates Soccer Update

Staff provided a brief update on planning for the Kaiwo Maru – King of the Sea 2026 and Richmond Celebrates Soccer events.

Discussion ensued regarding (i) Ships to Shore event marketing and programming information provided to the Richmond School District No. 38, (ii) maintenance underway at Garry Point Park, (iii) signage at Imperial Landing related to dock availability, (iv) a forthcoming memorandum outlining landside programming, (v) marketing for Richmond Celebrates Soccer, and (vi) Tourism Richmond’s partner hub for FIFA World Cup.

Committee requested a memorandum outlining the cost difference between constructing a new dock at Garry Point Park and relocating the existing dock.

(ii)

Let’s Talk Richmond Engagement Activities

Staff advised that surveys on the Let’s Talk Richmond online engagement platform for an outdoor covered multi-use court are open March 26 to April 26, and that the Volunteer Management Strategy survey is open until March 29.

(iii)

Habitat Restoration Along the Middle Arm Waterfront Trail

Discussion ensued regarding foreshore habitat restoration and infrastructure works undertaken by Raincoast Conservation Foundation in partnership with Ducks Unlimited, with staff noting that the City would work with Raincoast to improve signage notifying the public of the works.   

(iv)

Earth Week

Discussion ensued regarding Earth Week events and activities, with staff advising that further information is forthcoming.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (4:37 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.

_________________________________

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Councillor Michael Wolfe
Chair

Shannon Unrau
Legislative Services Associate