Community of Excellence for Recreation, Sport and Wellness Initiative


The Community of Excellence for Recreation, Sport and Wellness Initiative was developed in 2007 to highlight Richmond as a healthy, active community and to create a positive, livable environment for residents that encourages and supports wellness. Building on the legacy from the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, a partnership-based approach was taken to define complementary and interrelated strategies. Since then, the City of Richmond has updated or integrated those strategies in order to continue to strive for excellence in wellness, recreation and sport, health and physical activity.

Community Wellness Strategy 2018-2023

Our vision: Richmond... active, caring, connected, healthy and thriving.

The City of Richmond Community Wellness Strategy 2018-2023 was adopted by City Council in July 2018. The purpose of this five-year strategy is to take a collaborative and holistic approach to improve wellness for Richmond residents and to increase opportunities for individuals, neighbourhoods and communities to be active and healthy.

The Community Wellness Strategy 2018-2023 was developed in partnership between the City of Richmond, Vancouver Coastal Health – Richmond and Richmond School District No. 38. This strategy prioritizes wellness as a contributor to a vibrant, appealing and livable community and identifies innovative approaches to most effectively impact wellness outcomes.

Progress Update 2022-2023 - released in Jun 2024

Richmond Community Wellness Strategy (2018-2023) - Progress Update 2022-2023

Wellness Strategy Progress Update 2022-2023

Progress Update 2018-2021 - released in Dec 2021

Community Wellness Strategy (2018-2023) Progress Update 2018-2021

Implementation

The Community Wellness Strategy (2018-2023) Progress Updates, released in June 2024 and December 2021, highlight the collective and independent efforts of the City of Richmond, Vancouver Coastal Health and Richmond School District No. 38 in implementing and moving forward the action plan of this strategy. Read the Progress Update reports or view highlights in the videos below to learn about the many initiatives underway in Richmond that improve community wellness


Recreation and Sport Strategy 2019-2024

Our vision: Richmond is a leader in the planning and delivery of recreation and sport opportunities, inspiring individuals and communities to be active, connected and healthy for a lifetime.

The City of Richmond Recreation and Sport Strategy 2019-2024 was adopted by Council in December 2018. The purpose of the strategy is to guide the work of the Community Services Division, and especially the Recreation Services Department, over the next five years. Recreation and Sport Strategy 2019-2024 is a commitment by the City of Richmond to work with its partners, stakeholders and citizens to enhance the quality, reach and scope of recreation and sport services, programs, facilities and amenities for the benefit of all Richmond residents – individuals, families, and the Richmond community. The Strategy provides an opportunity to help inspire residents to be physically active and connected to their community for a lifetime.

Implementation

The Recreation and Sport Strategy (2019-2024) Progress Update, released in October 2021, highlights the accomplishments of the City’s Recreation and Sport Services Department, in collaboration with its Community Associations and Societies and community sport organizations, and the progress made on the strategy’s action plan. Browse the Progress Update Report to learn about the many different ways the recreation and sport community in Richmond is increasing access and opportunities for residents to meet their physical activity goals.

The Recreation and Sport Strategy builds on the Richmond Sport for Life Strategy (2010-2015).


Global Active City Designation

The City of Richmond has been designated as one of the world’s first Global Active Cities. The designation recognizes the City’s leadership in the promotion and provision of physical activity opportunities, the innovative and holistic Community Wellness and Recreation and Sport Strategies, and the essential partnerships with community organizations in Richmond.

Richmond joined Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hamburg, Germany; Lillehammer, Norway; Liverpool, UK; and Ljubljana, Slovenia as the first cities to receive the new designation, which was announced on Saturday, September 29, 2018 to mark World Heart Day. Each city has embraced a management model that motivates people at risk of inactivity-related illnesses to take up regular physical activity and sport and has worked hard to offer all their residents the opportunity to have active and healthy lifestyles and improve their well-being. In order to receive the Global Active City label, they each had to pass an independent audit with a stringent review of their physical activity and sports strategies and working practices. The Global Active City Standard was created with input from more than 70 experts in health, sport and social sciences; legacy and sustainability; tourism; and urban planning and management.

Joining the Global Active Cities network provides the City of Richmond additional opportunities to learn from other cities with similar values and priorities and access to leading practices in physical activity and sport for all.


Richmond Sport Hosting Strategy

Our vision: To be the premier sport hosting community in Canada for provincial, national and international sporting events, while growing and integrating our local sport community.

Updated in 2015, the Richmond Sport Hosting Strategy 2016-2020 focuses on positioning Richmond as a premier sport hosting community in Canada for provincial, national and international sporting events, while growing and integrating our local sport community. Building on the 2009 strategy developed in anticipation of the 2010 Olympic Games, the strategy was developed in partnership with the Richmond Olympic Oval, Tourism Richmond and Richmond Sports Council to further establish Richmond as a destination for the hosting of competitive sporting events and sport related meetings that attract visitors to Richmond as spectators, officials, competitors or delegates.