
We’ve just passed the one-year mark since the Grand Opening Celebration held at the Bettie Allard YMCA in November 2022.
The Grand Opening Celebration was a wonderful occasion that allowed us to acknowledge the efforts of all who helped make a new centre of community a reality for the Tri-Cities, including our partners at the City of Coquitlam and Concert Properties, volunteers and YMCA staff.
Most importantly, it was also an opportunity to thank the many generous donors who helped fund construction of the Bettie Allard YMCA and honour the late Peter A. Allard, whose transformational gift helped establish this new Y location and whose mother is the centre’s namesake.
If you were on hand for the event, you may recall that we welcomed Bill Higginson and Olga Rybalko from Impressions Live Art to capture the day on canvas. We are proud to share with you the completed painting, seen above. The work depicts the event’s ribbon-cutting ceremony held in the Bettie Allard YMCA gymnasium.
In a blog about the painting posted to the Impressions Live Art website, the artists described how the moment they’ve commemorated represents “a symbol of unity and progress.”
“Gathered in the newly built gym, the anticipation fills the air as the participants line up with the vibrant red ribbon, ready to make the inaugural cut. Their commitment and dedication to the YMCA mission shine through their smiles and proud faces,” the post continues.
“Our brushes capture not only the precise moment of the ribbon cutting but also the spirit of unity and enthusiasm that permeates the room. With each stroke, we aim to immortalize the collaborative efforts that have made this remarkable space a reality.
“The Bettie Allard YMCA is more than just a building; it is a testament to the power of community and the impact of collective action. Through our live painting, we seek to honour the individuals who have contributed to its creation and the bright future it represents.”
The painting is now installed at the YMCA BC Association Services office in New Westminster with a plaque that reads: “In honour of Peter A. Allard’s love of art, the Bettie Allard YMCA’s grand opening on November 26, 2022 was captured above.”
Our thanks to Impressions Live Art for their incredible work on this piece that will help us to remember an important milestone in the Bettie Allard YMCA’s history.