A 100-year-old building at səmiq̓ʷəʔelə/Riverview Lands is now a pile of rubble.
BC Housing and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation — the two agencies in charge of the 244 acres in Coquitlam — demolished Valleyview Lodge on Jan. 22 due to its poor condition and for safety concerns.
Once used as the administrative building for the BISCO (Boys Industrial School of Coquitlam) program, the structure was converted in 1935–36 for the Home for the Aged, providing care and supervision for elderly patients with mental health challenges.
The building stood three storeys tall and was located between Holly Drive and Iris Crescent; Valleyview Lodge was one of four remaining Tudor-style cottages on the grounds.
A BC Housing spokesperson told the Tri-City News that a heritage advisor inspected the Lodge and recommended some items to be salvaged, including a cornerstone that will be stored for future inclusion in redevelopment work at səmiq̓ʷəʔelə (pronounced Suh-mEE-kwuh EL-uh).
It reads: “This stone was laid Sept. 30th, 1920, by Hon. J.W. DeB. Farris, X.C., Attorney General for the Province of British Columbia.”
Meanwhile, BC Housing and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation plan a second Community Information Session later this year as part of their master planning process for the site.
