The grounds of Riverview Hospital contain some of the most beautiful gardens in Coquitlam, the Lower Mainland and B.C. Gardens are full of healing therapy. Why not turn Riverview into a naturopathic healing centre as well as a major post-secondary school or university? The land and buildings are already there. What a beautiful school it could be. The land should never be paved. It is a paradise.

The current grass side settings, as well as Colony Farm, could be turned into giant fields and gardens where we could grow all sorts of organic trees, fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, plants, whatever necessary. The school/university would also produce essential oils and naturopathic remedies that could be used within the clinic or sold to the community or online.

This school/university/medical centre could include all forms of non-traditional medicinal doctors as well.

The buildings could be restored and upgraded.

The local schools could participate in voluntary hours of participation as well as provide scholarships. The secondary school students could also begin apprenticeships either in natural healing or carpentry, plumbing, electrical, painting, tiling, gardening, landscaping, horticulture, etc.

The school/university would begin making its own naturopathic products from the gardens, which could be a main focus for school fundraising ideas. The school would embrace all cultures of naturopathic medicine. We could create jobs. The profits from the gardens will raise money for the university as well as provide a natural source of food and naturopathic remedies/medicine within our very own city.

The buildings are already there. The land is already there. Let us turn it into a jewel and get back to looking after ourselves naturally as well as provide healing relief to those in need.

The people of Coquitlam need to think this through. Do not let the Riverview lands be developed or you will lose something very special; it is our very own "Garden of Eden."

Are we going to be the ones that pave paradise and put up a parking lot, or turn it into something incredibly useful? Please think about this idea.

Teresa Willms Coquitlam