New Westminster – The Riverfront Tugger play area will provide kids with new opportunities to clamber and climb along the New West waterfront. The City has received $305,480 from the Province of BC’ s Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Fund to help design and construct the new community gathering and play space near the River Market.

“The new Tugger Installation supports our goal of revitalizing and opening up the waterfront as an active, community gathering place and a tourist destination,” said Mayor Jonathan Coté. “It will provide a playful experience unique to New Westminster that celebrates our working riverfront, both past and present. We are delighted to have support from both the Province of BC, Rotary Club of New Westminster and Kal Tire RePlay Fund to make this project a reality.”

The Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Fund is designed to strengthen tourism growth and develop emerging tourism opportunities, stimulating the recovery of B.C.’s post-pandemic visitor economy.

The community is invited to attend the community celebration event on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 from 10am-12pm.  Enjoy family friendly activities, opening remarks and live music while you explore the new community gathering and play space.

The area includes a variety of smaller scale “tugger” play elements that are hauling a rubberized play area sculpted resemble a barge loaded with woodchips. Play elements include a tugboat steering wheel, throttle and control buttons and include a climbing area and perimeter bench seating. It replaces the Tugger Pilot House, a long-time waterfront feature that was retired in 2019, due to structural decline.

The playful tugger installation area will further develop the New Westminster waterfront as a community gathering space, location for special events and tourist destination, complementing popular attractions such as the Westminster Pier Park, River Market, Fraser River Discovery Centre and the riverfront greenway.
Additional funding of $50,000 has been provided by the Rotary Club of New Westminster in memory of Dr. Irwin Stewart, a longtime local physician and Rotarian, who spearheaded many overseas humanitarian health projects and was an Order of Canada and Order of BC recipient.
 

Tire Stewardship of BC also contributed $10,000 for recycled rubber surfacing.

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Media Contact:

Erika Mashig
Manager Parks and Open Space Planning
City of New Westminster
604-527-4530 or