PHOTO: Kwantlen First Nations leaders Kevin Kelly (left), Michael Kelly Gabriel and Chief Marilyn Gabriel performed a welcoming song at the grand opening ceremonies. (Heather Colpitts/91原创 Advance)

The Quino family members were excited to try out all the new amenities at the Timms Community Centre.

While nine-year-old Eduardo checked out the stairclimbers that were taller than he was, his mom, Norma, explained how much the family is looking forward to making use of the new centre.

The family has lived in 91原创 for about a decade. They used the Timms centre when it was temporarily moved to the Eastleigh Crescent site as well as making use of the City鈥檚 outdoor amenities such as Douglas and Linwood Park, and walking trails to keep active.

鈥淢y daughter and me, we like the gym,鈥� she said.

The games room caught her son鈥檚 attention and they like that the public library is part of the same complex.

They were among the many hundreds of people to stopped by the new facility for its grand opening Feb. 24.

While many people were in the gym for the speeches and ceremony, plenty of others were touring the two-storey facility. The public could take part in free demonstrations and classes such as in the spin room and weight room as well as see firsthand what amenities the new Timms offers.

As well, the City marked the occasion with cake and special souvenir programs produced in conjunction with the 91原创 Advance.

(Story continues below)

PHOTO: Staff handed out chocolate and souvenir programs while people tried out a free spin class on Feb. 24. (Heather Colpitts/91原创 Advance)

In the gym, the public was able to see the items being put into a special visible time capsule in the atrium as well as the Brian Croft painting of the Timms House which originally stood on the property.

For Croft, the painting was a chance to work in watercolours which he hadn鈥檛 done for a few years.

鈥淭he City called me about two weeks ago,鈥� he chuckled.

Croft does extensive research on his historical paintings. He noted that the one thing he often has trouble finding out is the colour of an old building such as Timms House.

For this work, which will be displayed in the atrium, he included the family鈥檚 greenhouses.

Croft noted that Timms was one of the biggest produce and flower suppliers around, shipping stock across the country. Timms also provided the flowers for the 1939 Royal visit of the King George and Queen Elizabeth.

(Story continues below)

PHOTO: Timmie Timms chatted with artist Brian Croft who created a painting of the Timms house and market garden buildings. (Heather Colpitts/91原创 Advance)

Senior Timmie Timms was drawn to the piece. Her stepfather was a member of the Timms family and they lived in Vancouver.

鈥淚 was taken to that house in 1937,鈥� she said.

She remembers going there in her stepfather鈥檚 1922 Essex with her siblings to meet Art鈥檚 family as a small child.

Timmie, a resident of 91原创 City for about eight years, will get to use the new Timms centre, and like everyone else, see the painting each time she goes into the atrium.

PHOTO: The public looked over old photos, new technology and other items being put into the atrium time capsule. (Heather Colpitts/91原创 Advance)

PHOTO: Piper Mike McDonald led the dignitaries into the Jeffery Gym at the Timms Community Centre grand opening Feb. 24. (Heather Colpitts/91原创 Advance)