City moves to secure location for downtown multi-use civic facility

 New Westminster, BC – Following a comprehensive planning selection process, the City of New Westminster is moving to secure a downtown location on Columbia Street, between 8th and Begbie Streets, for construction of a new $35 million multi-use civic facility. The site meets the optimum criteria established during a selection process launched last year.

“This project will help advance our downtown revitalization efforts and provide a new state-of-the-art facility that meets the needs of current residents, visitors and new arrivals to the Royal City,” said Acting Mayor Jonathan Cote. “The location is perfect – fronting on to Columbia and with ready access to rapid transit, Hyack Square, the Quay and our new Westminster Pier Park.”

The new multi-use civic facility is being funded by Development Assistance Compensation (DAC) funds as a result of casino development within city limits. It will be approximately 80,000 square feet and may include amenities such as non-proscenium theatre space, arts studios, recreation space, archives and museum facilities, meetings rooms, banquet and convention meeting space. A comprehensive public process to consult with residents and stakeholders to seek input on facility amenities is ongoing.

“The site selection process examined 13 potential sites in the downtown, including city-owned property, to find an optimum location,” said Lisa Spitale, Director of Development Services. “The final selection of the site was made due to its physical size and location and it ensures accessibility by residents while boosting downtown revitalization at the same time.”

The City has engaged in lengthy negotiations with the property owners and is commencing expropriation proceedings to secure the property.

Construction of the City of New Westminster’s new downtown multi-use civic facility will commence in 2012 with completion scheduled for 2013.

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Contact:
Blair Fryer
Communications Manager
604-527-4688
bfryer@newwestcity.ca