COAL CREEK HISTORIC PARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER 28, 2010 MINUTES

Present: Lillian Tosoff, Marie Lowe, Carol Snaden, Imogene Lim, Joyce Lowe, May Gee, John Leung, Grace Doherty

1.Motion to approve the agenda. (Carol/May). Carried.

2. Motion to adopt the August 24 meeting minutes. (John/Marie). Carried.

3. Unfinished Business
a. Picnic shelter update. It's up! John, May, Joyce and Marie expressed their pleasure at the project completion and said that other family members were impressed by the size of it. May suggested that it be called the Cumberland Chinatown Picnic Shelter Pavilion, as it is far more impressive than a shelter. The group concurred. Imogene suggested that the community help with the naming of the structure as it would add to the village "claiming ownership" of it as much as the committee.

David Durrant joined the meeting briefly and the committee thanked him for moving this project forward. At his request a cheque for $6300 from the Chinatown Projects account was delivered to the Village office yesterday. He was unable to tell the committee yet what the final costs for the pavilion would be or what amount is in the park account, both the mount that can be used for the pavilion and for other projects.
Motion: That Grace ask Christine Mathews (Corporate Services Manager) for a detailed statement of what money is in the Coal Creek Historic Park account. (Lillian/Joyce) Carried
Discussion followed about the proposed Chinese character words (and translations) to be added to the fascia board. John suggested a black background edged with gold and gold lettering. Joyce suggested that green would also be a good choice. No final decision was made. May has prepared the lettering for the options discussed at our last meeting (WELCOME; COME VISIT AGAIN; WISHING YOU PEACE AND SAFETY IN ALL FOUR SEASONS). David brought up the possibility of using a large rock with sandblasting.
John circulated a drawing showing the post, beams and fascia board stained red, the interior ceiling protected with a clear coating. He has 2 cans of red stain. He also suggested that the picnic tables be staggered to discourage off-road vehicle from driving through.
Lillian said that a cedar tree has been donated in Doug Tosoff's memory. The family would like it planted in Chinatown. May asked about planting of the 2 hawthorn trees near the pavilion. Carol brought up the idea of a memorial garden in the future.
ACTION: Grace to put pavilion finishing details and planting locations on the agenda for October's meeting, also ordering of the picnic tables. This was deferred until confirmation of donation of funding for 2 more tables.
Committee members were invited to visit the site at the end of the meeting.
Lillian asked if there is to be a celebration, perhaps using the OAP Hall. The committee agreed that there should be an event similar to the plaque unveiling at No.1 Town. Imogene noted that May is Asian Heritage Month. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/multiculturalism/asian/index.asp
April 30, 2011 was set as a tentative date for the grand opening.
ACTION: Lillian will confirm this date. She will also update the OAP on the project as they donated a table unit.

b. Japanese cemetery Ground Penetrating Radar project.
Imogene shared photographs of the scanning in progress and the equipment used. The data is being processed. She will share the results with the committee. Details were printed in a recent article in the CV Echo.
Grace shared that Councillor Bronco Moncrief is going to check in the Village safe to see if there is a plot plan there.

c. Purchase of Saito House - Following the last meeting there was an informal meeting amongst committee members and Meaghan Cursons of the Cumberland Museum. She will discuss this purchase with their board at an upcoming meeting at which they will be reviewing their 5 year plan She will also talk to David Durrant about the possibility of partnering with the Village to acquire and maintain the house as an off-site location.

d. Hanson Travel follow-up. Mr. Lau and OAP President will discuss the possibility of using the OAP Hall for their lunch stop on tours next year. Mr. Lau confirmed by e-mail last week that a $2,000 donation for the picnic shelter will be sent to the Village this week.
ACTION: Lillian to ask Bev Berkely if Mr. Lau made contact.

e. Handouts at the park. Grace reported that over 250 information sheets have been taken from the holders at each site since mid-summer. Joyce, May and John spoke about the numbers of visitors they have seen during Sunday morning work parties, many with connections to China or Cumberland Chinatown.


5. New Business
a. Photos, No. 1 Town map from Mitsuo Iwaasa. Michelle at the museum shared copies of two photos, one taken at the Japanese cemetery that could help site one of the graves, the other of the town layout was also shared.

b. Use of Chinese language media to publicize our park projects. Joyce passed on the name of a prominent Vancouver-based newspaper, Sing Tao Daily. Imogene added contact Albert Tsui alberttsuisingtao.ca for the Sing Tao and additional newspapers Ming Pao and World Journal. Grace has asked Mr. Hanson Lau for media contact information as well.

c. Student projects. Imogene and students will be in Cumberland on Friday to visit various sites for project ideas. They will be visiting the historic Cumberland Bakery first for inspiration. Imogene invited Committee members to join them. They will be leaving Nanaimo about 7:30 am

d. -50th anniversary of Nanaimo's Chinatown fire: official opening of exhibit at the Nanaimo Museum September 30.
-Cedar and Bamboo presentation in Nanaimo. Details were e-mailed by Imogene last week. This film is about the relationships shared by early Chinese settlers and aboriginal peoples.
- Cumberland Chinatown play by Paul Yee to be presented by Pangaea Arts in Vancouver, opening night Thursday November 25. Discussion by Pangaea and UBC to have a Cumberland Chinatown Reunion on the Sunday.
-Wild Zone Films. No word on a showing in Cumberland of the 6-minute video.
ACTION: Grace to contact

6. Next Meeting: October 26

7. Motion to adjourn (Carol/Imogene). Carried



Grace Doherty