July 22, 2026 - Minutes

Date:

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Michael Wolfe, Chair
Councillor Laura Gillanders
Councillor Andy Hobbs
Councillor Bill McNulty

Also Present:

Councillor Carol Day

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee held on June 23, 2026, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

PARKS, RECREATION & CULTURE DIVISION

1.

Richmond Arts Facilities Needs Assessment REPORT 
(File Ref. No. 11-7000-11-01) (REDMS No. 8401231)

Jane Fernyhough, Richmond Arts Coalition, expressed support of the Facilities Needs Assessment Report recommendation and spoke on prioritizing exhibition spaces, auditorium, music performance and rehearsal spaces, theatre performance and rehearsal spaces, and pottery studio spaces. Specifically, she mentioned reviewing purpose-built space for music and performing arts and suggested that City conduct a feasibility study to develop music performance and rehearsal spaces facilities.

Discussion ensued with regard to (i) identifying arts space priorities, (ii) costs of rentals and availability of facilities, (iii) responding to space needs in multiple locations and exploring multi-use facilities, (iv) reviewing metrics of usage and demand for space, and (v) opportunities for developer amenity contributions

It was moved and seconded

That the priority needs as outlined in Attachment 1 of the report titled “Richmond Arts Facilities Needs Assessment Report”, from the General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture, dated June 29, 2026, be approved to guide future arts facility planning and investment in Richmond.

CARRIED

Discussion ensued with regard to musical performing arts space in Richmond, and as a result, the following referral motion was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff conduct a feasibility study for a musical performing arts space and report back.

CARRIED

2.

Options on the Management of Scotch Pond

(File Ref. No. 06-2025-20-008) (REDMS No. 8444333)

Discussion ensued regarding (i) the significance of the site to the history of Richmond as a destination point, (ii) supporting options to maintain the site and development of an interpretive centre, and (iii) preserving heritage associated with the area with possible options of maintaining moorage for pleasure craft and fishing boats.

In response to queries from Committee, staff advised (i) the harbour authority have space to moor boats during any dredging; (ii) site projects would not be limited to the list of five options; and (iii) a facility assessment deemed one building derelict and condemned it for public use.

John Kapp and Bud Sakamoto, Richmond residents, spoke on their submission (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1) and provided information regarding Scotch Pond including historical use of the area and the need for public water safety measures considering the navigation channel still in use by freighters as well as the varying water conditions at the mouth of the river.

It was moved and seconded

That the City undertake a feasibility study to assess potential future program uses for Scotch Pond and that a $150,000 one-time additional level request be submitted for consideration in the 2027 budget process, as outlined in the report titled “Options on the Management of Scotch Pond”, from the General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture, dated June 29, 2026.

CARRIED

3.

Street Banner Referral Response Update

(File Ref. No. 10-6050-01) (REDMS No. 8210398)

Discussion ensued with respect to (i) the banners proposed for Highway to Heaven along No. 5 Road with recommendations to work with the associations and ensure that the design meets City guidelines, (ii) the process to choose the designs and collaborating with the community associations, and (iii) options to fund the supplying and installation of the banners.

It was moved and seconded

That Option 1: “Install Welcome Banners on Four Poles – Cost Sharing”, as described in the report titled “Street Banner Referral Response Update”, from the General Managers of Parks, Recreation and Culture, and Engineering and Public Works, dated June 29, 2026, with funding amendments to fully fund the supplying and installing of banners, be approved.

CARRIED

4.

Funding for the Public Art Program in Relation to the Community Mural Program

(File Ref. No. 11-7000-09-01) (REDMS No. 8373096)

Discussion ensued with respect to ways in which to support additional murals around the City. Staff advised that (i) no budget increase is required at this time, (ii) the City has been successful in getting voluntary contributions, and (iii) some murals are funded by organizations.

It was moved and seconded

That the report titled “Funding for the Public Art Program in relation to the Community Mural Program”, from the General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture, dated June 29, 2026, be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

Richmond Nature Park Study – Findings and Next Steps
(File Ref. No. 06-2345-20-NPAR1) (REDMS No. 8403354)

In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) the City was moving forward with ridding the area of invasive species prior to native species to enhance the transition to a bog forest; (ii) staff have been tasked to tackle priorities such as ridding the site of Himalayan blackberries, and (iii) the five-year cycle addresses capital restoration.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the report titled “Richmond Nature Park Study – Findings and Next Steps”, from the General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture, dated June 29, 2026, be received for information; and

(2)

That a capital submission request for bog restoration work as identified in the report titled “Richmond Nature Park Study – Findings and Next Steps”, from the General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture, dated June 29, 2026, be considered as part of the 2027 budget.

CARRIED

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

New Pickleball Courts

Staff reported that in a response to sport user groups, the number of pickle ball courts have been maximized with the addition of six new public courts in addition to the existing three.

Discussion ensued with respect to the privately owned facility in Tsawwassen being recently opened with 29 courts, and multiple private indoor facilities open in Richmond.

(ii)

Richmond Celebrates Soccer

Discussion ensued with respect to (i) positive feedback on the events hosted by Richmond, (ii) the involvement of community associations allowing for multiple activities, and (iii) events being well organized and appreciation of the efforts of volunteers, organizations, staff and the Richmond RMCP.

(iii)

2026 ParticipACTION

The City of Richmond was in the top 40 of Canada’s Most Active Community in the 2026 ParticipACTION Community Challenge and anticipates entering the competition once again in 2027.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (6:17 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 Wednesday, July 22, 2026.

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Councillor Michael Wolfe
Chair

Vivian Guthrie
Recording Secretary