Swimming Pool, 1929
Birdcages, 1929
Overlooking Colony Farm
Male Building, Essondale, 1940s
Provincial Mental Hospital, Essondale
Library at Crease
Large Dormitory
Tuck Shop
Laboratory, Crease Clinic, 1950
Nurses' Infirmary, 1950
Nurses' Residence fire drill
West Lawn and grounds, 1952
Stone wall, 1961
Cottages
How many average citizens know the story of Riverview and mental health in this province? I’ll bet if you asked each of your friends, they’d all say they know nothing about it. Preserving the grounds and the buildings for multiple varied use (museums, art space, rehearsal halls, retreats, movie locations, even weddings) would give us a world-class multi-use facility that would be the envy of other communities. Save the Riverview lands and reap the rewards environmentally, historically, and for everyone to enjoy.
Riverview is such a beautiful tranquil place – a few years ago I went on a tour of the trees and was totally taken up with their beauty. Riverview is a healing place and should remain the way it is for the benefit of all especially for mental patients as only the beauty of nature can truly help them with their recovery.
I spent my teenage years growing up just behind the institution in Coquitlam. My friends and I found Essondale fascinating and would often venture into the grounds even though they were out of bounds. The place was tranquil and lonely, full of mystery. For us it was morbid curiosity but when I think back I realise how desperate and sad the issues of mental health are. In those days treatments were experimental. Those memories are now quite harrowing.
This place should be left alone, if anything money should be made available to make it a place where patients have a chance of overcoming their illness if possible. I believe Judy Garland spent time in the hospital in her later years.
thank you very much
I have lived in the Lower Mainland all of my 48 years. The quality of life is dropping rapidly, due to densification. I drive about 150 kms per weekday on average, and confirm that the region is overrun with people.
Riverview is a very rare gem. Designed by visionaries from a previous era, it is an island of surenity, and should be left exactly as it is. Let me clarify: The interiors and exteriors should be maintained and upgraded as required while maintaining the style to the extent possible, but the total structural footprint should not increase, not the landscaping changed.
I note that the Vancouver Police Department has stated that about 30% of calls, are actually for mental health issues, rather than traditionally defined policing. I would guess that the numbers are similar throughout the GVRD.
Thus, the idea of about 20 years ago, that the mentally ill should be released, was deeply flawed. The evaluation of patients of potential release, was done when they were on thier meds, fed proper food, and in a clean safe environment. Obviously, those aspects of life were lost when they were on the street.
I beleave the functionality of Riverview as a mental hospital should be maintained and increased; remember – mental health is the largest growing portion of health budgets.
Thanks,
Brian Anderson