If the future world of the Terminator films comes to life, machines will have taken over the world by 2088.
Even if that hasn’t come true, View Royal archivists hope their 25th anniversary time capsule will be opened and its contents considered historical treasures by the future residents.
The year of 2013 marks the Town of View Royal’s 25th anniversary. To commemorate the milestone the town will seal a time capsule into the rock wall by the side of the Island Highway, across from the Four Mile Pub. The wall, built by Andreas Kunert, contains a hollow for the capsule, hidden behind a slab of rock.
It is hoped the approximately one meter by 30 centimetre stainless steel time capsule will be left undisturbed for 75 years, until the town’s 100th anniversary.
Organizers say anything could happen between now and 2088, but hope someone will be able to appreciate this piece of history.
“We have a great chance of an enormous earthquake that may change View Royal completely and climate change has started already,” volunteer Louise Baur said. “We never know how View Royal is going to change.”
Right now archivist Chance Dixon is looking for suggestions from residents as to what should be included in the capsule.
Students from View Royal schools were asked to write letters describing contemporary life, including what they like and what they don’t like about the town.
“It’s going to be fun,” Dixon said. “A lot of the kids in elementary school, their version of the future is flying cars.”
Local groups and businesses are also being contacted for suggestions and submissions for the capsule.
Copies of everything in the capsule will also be kept sealed in the View Royal Archives, in case something happens to the capsule.
Residents have until May 3 to submit suggestions to Dixon, either by mail at 45 View Royal Avenue, V9B 1A6 or by email at archives@viewroyal.ca.
The capsule will be sealed in the wall on May 25 at 9 a.m. There will be a pancake breakfast to commemorate the event.