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May 2010

Richmond, BC – In a private ceremony on May 14, 2010, Mr. Rick Hansen of the Hansen Foundation presented the three 2010 Winter Olympic torches to executive members of Aspac Developments Ltd.

The torches presented to Aspac are artifacts of Mr. Hansen’s Olympic and Paralympic journey, including the torch that was carried into the Opening Ceremony at BC Place Stadium.

Mr. Hansen is an advocate and activist of people with spinal cord injuries.  Famed for his legendary “Man in Motion” world tour in 1985, he became one of Canada’s national heroes.  As a paraplegic athlete, he has won honours such as the “Outstanding Athlete of the Year” from the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association (1980), and was inducted into Canada’s Sport Hall of Fame in 2006.  For his work and dedication to enrich the lives of those with spinal cord injuries, he was awarded with the Companion of the Order of Canada (1988), as well as the Order of British Columbia (1990).

During the ceremony, Mr. Hansen thanked Aspac for bringing this “amazing vision to the City of Richmond,” in reference to Aspac’s newest development project – River Green, and expressed a hope that River Green would “continue the flame in the City of Richmond.” Mr. Hansen concluded by pronouncing Aspac the “custodians of the Olympic and Paralympic dreams” as he presented torches to Mr. Raymond Li, Mr. John Ryan, and Mr. Gary Wong.

“It is an honour and a privilege to display [the] torches at the River Green Story Centre,” Mr. Li, Director and Senior Vice President of Aspac said, “I hope the whole community will be able to feel that Olympic spirit again, and be inspired by all this wonderful legacy.”

The torches will be on display for a period of six months at the River Green Story Centre, which is also the presentation centre for what will be Richmond’s premier, waterfront master-planned community, to be developed over the next 15 years.

The River Green Story Centre will be open to the public beginning June 19.

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River Green opens its doors to help BC’s foster children

April 2010

Richmond, BC – The second annual SOS Children’s Village Run at River Green will take place on May 30, 2010, at the Richmond Olympic Oval Plaza.  As presenting sponsor of the event, Aspac will be on site to encourage participating runners, and to especially welcome family and friends of SOS Children’s Village BC into their newly constructed River Green Story Centre.

The Story Centre depicts the story of Richmond and the upcoming community in a fun and interactive atmosphere, and is currently closed to the public.  Visitors on May 30, 2010, will be able to enter into a draw for a free membership to the Oval.

In addition to the run, festival activities and entertainment will be hosted by SOS Children’s Village BC and sponsors.

Pre-registration is available at www.sosbcrun.ca.

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November 2009

Richmond, BC – As event sponsor of the 9th Annual Winter Wonderland festival, Mr. Lance Brown, Vice President, Marketing of Aspac Developments Ltd. attended the Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 21, 2009.

The 9th Annual Winter Wonderland is organized by the Richmond Sunset Rotary Club, and proceeds from this year’s event will go towards the construction of a community education centre in Refilwe, South Africa.

Following speeches made by Mayor Malcolm Brodie and key sponsors, spectators were treated to a regaling round of early Christmas caroling by Rotary Club members, accompanied on piano by the talented Mayor of Richmond.

The tree lighting ceremony marks the official opening of the sponsor-decorated trees located on the main floor of Richmond City Hall. Visitors to City Hall can vote for the “Best Looking Tree” award.

Much like the Rotary Club, Aspac is also heavily involved with building communities. As one of Vancouver’s top developer of master-planned communities, Aspac will be building the River Green neighbourhood in Richmond over the next 15 years.

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Aspac sponsors local event - Winter Wonderland - with a global vision

October 2009

Richmond, BC - The 9th Annual Winter Wonderland festival, organized by the Richmond Sunset Rotary Club, has turned their focus onto a global level, and will direct proceeds towards the construction of a community education centre in Refilwe, South Africa.

As the Event Sponsor, Mr. Lance Brown, Vice President, Marketing of Aspac Developments Ltd., attended the announcement at Richmond City Council Chambers on October 7, 2009.

Following speeches by Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie and event organizer, Mr. Brown presented Mrs. Magdalen Leung of the Richmond Sunset Rotary Club with a $10,000 donation.

A prominent Vancouver-based developer of master-planned communities, Aspac will be building the River Green neighbourhood in Richmond over the next 15 years.  As Mr. Brown mentioned, “In Sotho-Tswana, the word ‘Refilwe’ means ‘gift’ or ‘we are given’…Today, Aspac is given the opportunity to alleviate challenges for the people of Refilwe through community projects, such as Winter Wonderland.”

The community of Refilwe was established in 1991, and is located north of Johannesburg.  Residents of Refilwe face numerous difficulties in their daily lives, ranging from unemployment, poor housing, to lack of access to clean running water and electricity.

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September 2009

Richmond, BC - With a vibrant multicultural community hailing from all corners of the world, Mayor Malcolm Brodie proudly launched the first edition of the Richmond Newcomers’ Guide at City Hall on September 23, 2009.  Amongst those in attendance were Councillor Bill McNulty, Richmond Intercultural Advisory Committee Chair Mr. Jake Pogoson, various City Hall members, as well as sponsors for both the English and Chinese versions of the Guide.  The Guide is designed to ease the transitional process for all new residents of Richmond.

Mr. Lance Brown, Vice President, Marketing of Aspac Developments Ltd, attended on behalf of the company as sponsor of the Chinese edition, to greet and present welcome gift baskets to two new immigrant families from China.

In addition, Aspac also provided pins and information cards educating the community about speed skating that will take place at the Richmond Olympic Oval during the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic games.  Aspac is a proud sponsor of the Speed Skating Canada Community Tour, jointly with Speed Skating Canada and the Richmond Spirit of BC, to promote the sport.

Aspac, a renowned real estate developer based in Vancouver, will concentrate its forces on developing the community of River Green in Richmond over the next 15 years.

“It is our hope that new immigrants will flourish and reach for the opportunities this city has to offer; and like Aspac, will build their legacies in Richmond,” said Mr. Brown.

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Speed Skating Canada Community Tour continues its journey around Richmond communities

June 2009

The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics are less than eight months away! To further garner support and promote the sport of long track speed skating, which will be held at the Richmond Olympic Oval, the Speed Skating Canada Community Tour visited Aberdeen Centre June 22-28. Autograph and photo sessions with some of Canada’s best athletes attracted a large admiring crowd. The SSC Community Tour will be making its way around the city of Richmond until February of 2010.

In between their very tight training and competition schedules, two of Canada’s top speed skaters sacrificed their free time to promote the sport so dear to them. The winner of 67 World Cup titles and Olympic medalist, Jeremy Wotherspoon, came to Aberdeen Centre on Saturday, June 27 while teammate Jeff Kitura came on Sunday, June 28. Both athletes are strong contenders for the 2010 Winter Olympics, proudly representing Canada.

The Community Tour is a joint effort of Speed Skating Canada, Richmond Spirit of BC Committee and River Green, Richmond’s newest waterfront community, of Aspac Developments.

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February 2009

Richmond, BC – With the cracking of the 4-ft. ice sculpture, it marks the official launch of the Speed Skating Canada Community Tour from now till February 2010. The display will go into public libraries, community centres, swimming pools, shopping malls around Richmond and the Richmond Olympic Oval to create awareness and understanding of this Canadian winter sport which made its debut at the first Winter Olympics in 1924.

"We are proud to partner with Speed Skating Canada and Richmond Spirit of BC Committee to educate the public all about long and short track speed skating,” says Raymond Li, Senior Vice President of Aspac Developments.

Apparently, speed skating accounts for half of the medals (12 medals out of the 24 total) won by Canada in Torino, Italy. “It is great to be sponsoring an initiative that shares similar philosophy - pursuit of excellence, health and wellness, and sustainability. And it is only natural for us to support the sport taking place right at our doorsteps,” adds Li.

“It’s wonderful to be making my last public appearance in Richmond, the next Olympic Venue City. We feel the excitement and support in the community. I will continue to support the Canadian team in 2010 and I ask that you do the same to cheer for our athletes as they compete for the podium,” says Arne Dankers, Olympic medalist and Canadian record holder in the 3,000m, 5,000m, 10,000m and Team Pursuit.

The Community Tour is a joint effort of Speed Skating Canada, Richmond Spirit of BC Committee and River Green, Richmond’s newest waterfront community, of Aspac Developments.

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Speed Skating Canada Community Tour makes its debut

January 2009

Richmond, BC – As part of the effort to reach out to the community and create awareness of speed skating (both long and short track), Speed Skating Canada Community Tour is launched today at Talmey Elementary.

The school version of the display, which talks about the history and facts of speed skating, will be making its way through
40 elementary schools and 11 secondary schools, reaching out to some 20,000 students between now and February 2010.

Silver medalist in men’s team pursuit at 2006 Olympics, Justin Warsylewicz, talks to a class of Grade 5/6 students to tell
them all about the sport, his experience and achievements. Showing his skin suit, skates and medals, Justin is completely
immersed in conversation with a group of curious and excited children, most of who are talking to an Olympian for the first time.

“Already the calendar is filling right up to December 2009, we have received tremendous response from schools that all
want to participate and take in the Olympic spirit,” says Glenn Kishi of Richmond School District.

The Community Tour is a joint effort of Speed Skating Canada, Richmond Spirit of BC Committee and River Green, Richmond’s newest waterfront community, of Aspac Developments.

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Aspac sponsors speed skating community tours

december 2008

Speed skating is a sport that requires speed, skill, competitiveness and ultimately, the pursuit of excellence. And with the completion of the Richmond Olympic Oval, a world-class speed-skating facility, Canada’s national speed skating team can now train all-year-round in Richmond, which is believed may gain competitive advantage for the Canadian team.

Recognizing that the public is unfamiliar with speed skating, Aspac, a highly respected real estate developer, has organized community tours to educate the public about the sport, encourage their participation and provide support for our Olympic athletes at the Games.

Aspac, partnering with Speed Skating Canada and the Richmond Spirit of BC, will answer questions about the little-known sport and explain, for example, the differences between long track and short track speed skating.

Sponsored by River Green, Aspac’s newest waterfront community in Richmond, the community tours will visit Richmond neighbourhoods for 15 months – from December 2008 to February 2010.

Two displays will travel throughout elementary and secondary schools, community centres, libraries, ice rinks, swimming pools and shopping malls. Between their intensive training schedules, athletes will make personal appearances in schools and shopping malls to educate the public on speed skating, displaying the unique equipment needed for both long track and short track speed skating, answer any questions on the sport, sign autographs, pose for photographs with the public and, hopefully inspire youngsters to become speed skaters.

To further enhance the sport, members of Richmond Spirit of BC and BC Speed Skating Association have kindly volunteered their time to help at the display. The display made its first public appearance at the official opening of the Richmond Olympic Oval on December 12 and 13, 2008.