MINORU MILESTONES
1909 – PRESENT DAY
For more than a century, the area now known as Minoru Park has played a significant role in the recreational, social and cultural life of Richmond residents. The development of the Minoru Complex represents the next step in the evolution of the Minoru Civic Precinct.
Find out more about Minoru’s fascinating history as well as project milestones below.
Do you have a Minoru milestone you would like to share? Email us at minorucentre@richmond.ca.
- September 2020
September 21, 2020 – Swimming Pools Open!
New state-of-the-art indoor aquatic centre opens! - March 2020
March 11, 2020 – Seniors Centre One-Year Celebration
The Minoru Seniors Society, members and guests celebrate their One-Year Anniversary! - January 2020
January 11 2020 – Minoru Centre for Active Living Fitness Centre Open House
Minoru Centre for Active Living Fitness Centre Open House. Over 550 people enjoyed free admission to the fitness centre, over 500 tours were given and over 230 patrons enjoyed 17 fitness classes. - January 2020
January 2020
Minoru Centre for Active Living Fitness Centre opens to the public. - March 2019
March 2019
Minoru Centre for Active Living Opening - January 2019
2019 – Construction on Minoru Centre for Active Living nearing completion
- December 2017
December 2017
Councillor Chak Au, Mayor Malcolm Brodie, Councillor Derek Dang, Councillor Linda McPhail, Councillor Ken Johnston, and Councillor Bill McNulty visited the construction site for the Minoru Centre of Active Living. The view from the second floor fitness centre overlooking the leisure pool also highlights the roof installation that is near completion. - November 2016
November 2016 – Construction milestone – completion of second floor fitness floor
- April 2016
Construction milestone – completion of concrete raft slab
Mayor Malcolm Brodie is joined by several members of Council to participate in the final slab pouring on April 27, 2016. - April 2015
2015 – Official opening of redeveloped Minoru Park sports fields
On Saturday, April 11, an opening ceremony marks the official opening of the new artificial turf fields in Minoru Park. Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, Richmond City Baseball hosts its opening day celebration on Latrace Field. - October 2014
2014 – Council approves Minoru Complex Floor Plan
Council approves the floor plans and preliminary form/character design of the Minoru Complex, allowing staff to proceed with preparation of detailed design drawings. - July 2014
2014 – Construction launches on the Minoru Complex
On July 21, a ground-breaking event officially launches construction of a $79.6 million multi-purpose facility that will house new aquatic and older adult centres, a fitness centre and sport field support spaces and amenities. - July 2014
2014 – Minoru Sports Pavilion Celebration and Farewell
The final event hosted in Minoru Sports Pavilion to celebrate its 50 years of service to the community is held on July 5. The event program featured demonstrations and presentations by community members representing the many groups who used the Pavilion over the years. The Pavilion was demolished later in July to make way for construction to begin on the Minoru Complex. - February 2010
2010 – Winter Olympics
Minoru Park hosts over 500,000 visitors over 17 days at the Ozone, Richmond’s Celebration Site for the 2010 Winter Olympics. On February 9, over 20,000 people gathered in Minoru Park to welcome Rick Hansen onto the stage to light the cauldron as part of the Olympic Torch Relay, igniting the Olympic spirit in Richmond. - August 2009
2009 – Unveiling of the statue “Minoru Horse” by Sergei Traschenko
This statue of Minoru commemorates the opening of Minoru Park on Aug. 21, 1909, the first thoroughbred racing course in Richmond. The thoroughbred, Minoru, under the colours of Edward VII, won the Epsom Derby in England in 1909. - january 1986
1986 – Minoru Place Activity Centre
Minoru Place Activity Centre, Richmond’s first dedicated facility to serve the older adult population, opens to the public. - July 1979
1979 – Minoru Park plays host to BC Summer Games.
Minoru Park plays host to BC Summer Games. - January 1977
1977 – Minoru Aquatic Centre officially opens
Minoru Aquatic Centre officially opens - January 1967
1967 – Jefferson Airplane performs
Jefferson Airplane performs at Richmond Arena. Read More Information - September 1965
1965 – Richmond Arena Opens
Stadium rink opens in September 1965. Expansion of the Silver rink and the office areas takes place in September 1984. - May 1964
1964 – Grand Opening of the Minoru Sports Pavilion
The official opening of the Minoru Sports Pavilion takes place on May 18, 1964 and is attended by the Honourable Arthur Laing, MP for Vancouver South, along with other dignitaries. - January 1960
1960 – Construction of a running track
Construction of a running track and associated track and field facilities. - January 1958
1958 – Centennial Pool in Minoru Park.
Construction of Centennial Pool in Minoru Park, originally an outdoor pool. - January 1958
1958 – The City acquires Section 8 from the BC Turf and Country Club
The City acquires Section 8 from the BC Turf and Country Club, owners of the Brighouse Park racetrack to be reserved as parkland (originally called Richmond Centennial Park, renamed Minoru Park in 1960). - March 1910
1910 – The first western Canadian airplane flight
The first-ever Canadian airplane flight west of Winnipeg takes off from Minoru Racetrack in March - this helped set the precedent for the later development of Vancouver Airport in Richmond (Sea Island), which opened in 1931. - August 1909
1909 – Opening Day of Minoru Racetrack
Opening Day of Minoru Racetrack and Clubhouse was August 21, 1909. Named after a horse owned by King Edward VII, Minoru was at one time considered the best racetrack in western North America.