Thompson Community Centre is jointly operated by the Thompson Community Association and the City of Richmond. The City of Richmond provides staff to program, maintain and coordinate facility rentals, racquetball courts, etc, and be ultimately responsible for the community centre operations.   All instructors and child care staff are employees or contractors of the Association.   

Thompson Community Association:

The Community Association is a non-profit volunteer driven group that works in partnership with the City of Richmond to provide social, cultural, recreational programs, events and services in the Thompson area.  

Board of Directors:

The Board of Directors provides direction to the staff on what types of programs the community wants.  

President/Director: Jennifer Dahl
Vice President/Director: Stephen Morris
Secretary/Director: guy Anderson
Treasurer/Director: Alan Marchand
Director: Harry Wong
Director: Otto Sun
Director: Eyal Lichtmann
Director: Kathy Holt                         
Director: Sam Samy
Director: Farrah Meralli
Director: Mina Chong (Youth Member)
Director: Jaia Manhas (Youth Member)
Recording Secretary:  Debby Newton 

Vision Statement:

The Thompson Community Association is an active supporter of the community by providing social and recreational and sustainable programs, events and healthy living opportunities to enhance the quality of life and promote active living for all. 

History:

The Association was formed by neighbours in the community seeking to provide their children with access to physical activities. Initially, free programs were provided often led by volunteer Instructors, usually housed in James Thompson Elementary School or J.N. Burnett Secondary School.   The Association raised funds to support these programs and outdoor space, originally designed and built by volunteers. As programs expanded, the Association began to employ instructors and charge fees always at a low cost. 

In 1983, the former Richmond Works Yard building on Lynas Lane was converted for use as a Community Centre and the Association finally had a home. This is now known as the "Annex" building, and is home to our child care programs.  In 1995, with funds from the City of Richmond and a $750,000 GoBC grant, the our current community centre building was opened.

Children's Committee:  

This committee works cooperatively with City staff and the Association Preschool Coordinator in the development, planning and evaluation of children's programs, services and events at Thompson.   Under the Children's Committee portfolio are the child care programs offered by Thompson Early Learning to families and their preschoolers from all over Richmond:

• Rompers Preschool classes for 3 and 4 year olds,  These are licensed preschool programs that run five mornings and three afternoons per week, September to June.  

• Time for Twos classes for 2 year olds.  These are seasonal programs that run three times per year: September-December, January-March, April-June.

• Exploration Camps for 3 and 4 year olds.  These are seasonal licensed preschool camps that run two times per year:  March, July-August.

Also under the Children's Committee portfolio is Terra Nova Nature School that operates in Terra Nova Rural Park.