New Westminster – A new era is emerging for New Westminster’s beloved Massey Theatre.

Learn about the exciting plans for the historic theatre and complex through The Art of Partnerships, a special livestream panel discussion on Wednesday, November 24, 2021.

For the Art of Partnerships livestream panel, Councillor Mary Trentadue and Massey Theatre Society Executive Director Jessica Schneider will lead a wide-ranging discussion that will provide a behind the scenes take on the ambitious vision behind the City of New Westminster’s new ownership of the Massey Theatre and 25-year lease and operating agreement with the Society. The discussion will look at the genesis for the new operating partnership, future plans for programming and services, support for community priorities including reconciliation and the revitalization of the building’s aging infrastructure.

The City of New Westminster recently took ownership of the Massey Theatre and completed a new 25-year lease and working agreement with the theatre society for the operation of the theatre and adjoining complex. The new lease will allow the theatre to expand its operational scope to support a diverse range of performing arts programs and services, while supporting important community priorities such as reconciliation.

“We are really excited that the City has been able to support and extend the life of the Massey Theatre by assuming ownership from the school district,” said Councillor Trentadue. “I think we will have a facility that is going to draw the arts community from all over the province. This is going to be a fantastic facility for all of our community and for people who want to come and experience the arts in New West.”

“The City has made an unprecedented commitment to the creative community in New Westminster and to the artists and arts groups supported by the Massey Theatre,” said Schneider. “But this is just the start of the journey. We have very ambitious plans for the future of the theatre and we want to engage the entire community in further shaping and fulfilling that vision.”

The Art of Partnership panel discussion will be hosted on Zoom and can be joined at the following link: https://ca01web.zoom.us/j/64105016516. The conversation will also be streamed live on the City of New Westminster’s Facebook page at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, November 24, 2021. Residents can submit questions in advance by email to or during the livestream on Zoom. Video of the discussion will also be posted on the New West Matters page on the City’s website for post event viewing.

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About the Massey Theatre:
The Massey Theatre complex is more than 35,000 square feet in size, including the 1,260-seat main theatre, and numerous connected adjacent classrooms, band rooms and a small gymnasium which will be repurposed to support a variety of inclusive and contemporary arts, cultural and community uses.

The expansion into former school areas surrounding the theatre will enable professional artists to work in multiple disciplines while infusing the community with new cultural opportunities and creative endeavors. Digital media labs are planned along with smaller performance spaces, interdisciplinary festivals and visual arts exhibitions will integrate the space into a lively artistic hub for the Metro Vancouver region. The main theatre will remain a key performance venue and a driver of large activations within the complex.

City of New Westminster Media Contact:

Sophie Schreder
Executive Assistant to the Mayor
City of New Westminster
604-527-4522 or

Massey Media Contact:

Bonnie Allan

604-218-9525