New Westminster parks, culture and recreation is seeking to keep kids busy when school’s out.
With New Westminster teachers set to strike on June 11, the city is offering a one-day Club Royale for kids five to nine, and nine to 12 years of age. The fun-filled day is basked out of Moody Park Arena and includes all sorts of activities, sports and crafts.
Club Royale runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and costs $32. Before- and after-care is also available from 8 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 4 p.m. for an additional cost.
For information or registration, call Moody Park Arena at 604-525-5301.
Public art on the move
Now you see it, now you don’t.
Ab oVo The Fertile Nest, a piece of public art that was unveiled in Hyack Square in June 2009, recently moved as the city makes way for the Wait for Me, Daddy installation. Sculptor Carlos Basanta worked on the Ab oVo piece in partnership with the New Westminster Qayqayt First Nation.
Rob McCullough, the city’s manager of cultural services, said Ab oVo can now be found at the foot of Glenbrook Ravine Park. He said a lot of thought went into finding an appropriate location for Ab oVo, as there once was a First Nations village at the foot of Glenbrook Ravine, where it let out to the Fraser River.
“Placing that art piece within proximity of that original village seemed to be a nice sentiment that could relate to that aspect of our heritage,” McCullough said. “It tied in both esthetic and location for the selection of this piece.”
McCullough believes Ab oVowill be more noticeable in its new location at Glenbrook Ravine Park, where it will be framed by a backdrop of greenery.
“You really didn’t notice that piece. It was lost because the background was somewhat of more industrial backdrop with bricks and metal and stone and those sorts of things. …In the ravine park it’s quite noticeable and is framed quite nicely by the trees in that area.”
McCullough worked closely with the city’s horticultural manager Claude LeDoux to select a new location for Ab oVo.
“If you go over the bridge past the amenities building, you will be seeing it,” said McCullough. “The trails all merge together at a point before they head further up the ravine. It’s right at the point where they meet up. It’s kind of a meadowed area.”
The city will be unveiling the new Wait for Me, Daddy installation in Hyack Square on Oct. 4.
Province newspaper photographer Claude P. Dettloff took the famous Wait for Me, Daddyphoto on Oct. 1, 1940, as soldiers marched down Eighth Street toward Columbia Street. Five-year-old Warren “Whitey” Bernard broke free from his mother to reach out to his father who was marching by. The city commissioned artists Veronica andEdwin Dam de Nogales to create the public art installation that will immortalize the iconic photo.
How’s life?
Royal City residents are invited to offer their thoughts about life in the city in 2013.
The City of New Westminster has completed the 2013 annual report, which provides a range of information and budget details about the city. Copies of the report are available at city hall.
On June 23, city council will provide an opportunity for community members to make presentations about the report at the council meeting that gets underway at 5:45 p.m. in council chambers.
