By Balwant Sanghera
India Cultural Centre of Canada’s Gurdwara Nanak Niwas is a hub of activity for weddings and other activities especially during the summer months. In addition to that, every Monday is also a very busy day. First, it is the yoga class led by veteran yoga teacher Nashattar Singh Mattharu. That is followed by Chai Chaupal, a program jointly sponsored by the Richmond Multicultural Community Services and the Gurdwara. However, this past Monday, July4 had a lot more. In addition to the yoga class there was also the clinic for cholesterol and blood pressure. There was a long line up of people waiting to have their blood pressure and cholesterol checked. From there they moved on to an exciting information session about Richmond Hospital.
Members of the Chai Chaupal group had expressed an interest in learning more about the hospital services and the proposed acute care tower. Consequently, Jon Hicke, Director of Marketing and Communications for Richmond Hospital Foundation was invited to share information about these subjects with members of the congregation who are also active participants in these programs. Jon Hicke explained in detail the need for more modern updated facilities and equipment. He stated that the current hospital is 50 years old. During the past 50 years the population of Richmond has quadrupled from 50,000 to more than 200,000. Also, with the aging population there is need for more acute care facilities and equipment.
In answer to questions from the attendees, Jon Hicke mentioned that the wheels have been set in motion for a new acute care tower. Once the business plan is in place and community funding is secured, Richmond Hospital administration along with Vancouver Coastal Health will be approaching the provincial government for its approval to go ahead. He emphasized that all three of Richmond MLAs-Teresa Wat, Linda Reid and John Yap – are on board for this project and have assured the Foundation Board of their full support. In the meantime the fundraising campaign launched by India Cultural Centre of Canada Gurdwara Nanak Niwas is going very well. Any donation-big or small- would be much appreciated. Potential donors can contact the Gurdwara at 604-274-7479 or me at 604-836-8976.
Richmond resident Balwant Sanghera is a member of the India Cultural Centre of Canada’s Gurdwara Nanak Niwas Management Committee.
