Riverview Today | Riverview: An Artist’s Point of View
Riverview Hospital operated for many years until new legislation began the process of deinstitutionalization. Riverview Hospital began to close many of its buildings, removing beds as more local care centers began to open across British Columbia. Today most of Riverview’s buildings still stand. Some remain in use by officials, others are frequently used as film sets by the many productions in Vancouver. Recently the Red Fish Healing Center has opened onsite as well.
Following the 1964 and 1965 Mental Health Acts, British Columbia began to decentralize mental health treatment. This prompted the opening of many new local mental health facilities to offer treatment closer to home. As part of this, Riverview began the process of removing beds from its many buildings. During the 1980s, focus continued to shift to deinstitutionalization, further reducing the number of beds.
During the 1990s, many people were let out of Riverview. Some of these people headed for the Downtown Eastside in search of affordable housing, where they were preyed upon by predatory drug dealers, making their mental health issues worse.
Many of the vacant buildings have been used in film production. Movies such as Deadpool 2, Happy Gillmore, and Elf, were shot in part at the former Riverview Grounds. Many of these buildings are falling into disrepair though, with the Center Lawn facility being in the best condition, having been upgraded most recently prior to the hospital’s closure in 2012.
Recently, a new healthcare center has opened on the Riverview Grounds, the Red Fish Healing Centre. This facility is the first of its kind in BC, treating mental health and addiction at the same time, something that previous facilities could not do. It exists to combat the current mental health and addiction crisis the province is facing. With continued success, officials hope to open more facilities like it to offer this type of treatment.
The facility has been partnered with the Kwikwetlem First Nation since its inception. Many community-based methods are employed, with focus given to each individual and helping them to build a meaningful life in their community.
The nearby Colony Farm has also undergone many changes. The area is no longer cultivated, with the region now being turned into a park. Formerly known as Colony Farm Regional Park, it now goes by its Indigenous name as ƛ̓éxətəm Regional Park. The name means “be invited.” The park is home to hundreds of bird species, as well as many plants and animals species. There exist several trails as well as a community garden on the site.
The farm buildings of Colony Farm no longer exist, having been replaced with BC’s Forensic Psychiatric Hospital, a place for people who have been found not criminally responsible, or unfit to stand trial. The secure facility features several areas with varying levels of security. As patients are treated, they can be moved to less secure areas with more access to visitors. In preparation for their release, they may live in cottages onsite or nearby to prepare them to live in the community. Carefully monitored community visits are also a part of treatment at the facility.
Riverview: An Artist’s Point of View
Artists Nadine Flagel, Haley Perry, and Lolu Oyedele with contributions from Coquitlam Heritage team members, Naomi Fong and Markus Fahrner approach themes of mental health, physical separation, and the history of the Riverview Hospital through a range of media ranging from illustration, reclaimed textiles and drawing. The artists' works engage with individual Riverview objects within the CHS collection, and the history of Riverview to create a very intimate approach to mental health and the physical space of the hospital. The exhibit is currently on display at Mackin House until January 15, 2024.
This exhibition was generously funded by Metro Vancouver.