The City of New Westminster is encouraging residents to give car sharing a shot.
The city has partnered with TransLink’s TravelSmart program to encourage the community to take one less car trip per week. MODO, the city’s current car-sharing service provider, has just brought four more cars into the city for MODO members to use, meaning 11 vehicles are now located throughout New Westminster.
“Sustainable transportation, which includes walking, biking, taking transit and car sharing, is high on the city’s list of current priorities, which is why we are happy to partner with TravelSmart to help spread the word,” said Acting Mayor Jonathan Cote. “The last weeks of summer are a good time to evaluate the costs of car ownership and give car sharing a try.”
The city’s sustainable transportation mandate aims to reduce the number of single occupancy vehicles on roads in order to reduce traffic and improve air quality. Earlier this year, city council passed a motion to develop a strategy and policy for increasing car sharing options in the city.
To find out more about how car sharing works and for the location of the four new vehicles, go to www.modo.com.
You can take a pledge to take one less car trip per week at www.travelsmart.ca/newwest, where you can also find tools and tips on how to get around more sustainably and save money.
A big hurrah
The Massey Victory Heights Residents’ Association is gearing up for its signature event.
The residents’ association is hard at work planning the Massey Heights Hurrah, which is taking place on Sunday, Sept. 7 at Westburnco Park from 1 to 4 p.m. Westburnco Park, for those not familiar with the area, is the grassy space beside the Westburnco tennis/basketball courts on Churchill Avenue.
“This will be our eighth annual Massey Heights Hurrah. We used to call this event a family picnic, but it’s not really a picnic per se. Food will be provided by donation, with tables and chairs for neighbours to sit down and have lunch together. Also, there will be many activities for kids, including a bouncy castle, a clown and a mini-soccer game,” said Jason Lesage, president of the Massey Victory Heights Residents’ Association in a press release. “In addition, the Arts Council of New Westminster will have an arts and crafts table for kids too. It will be a fun event for families to swing by, have some lunch and relax under the late summer sun.”
The residents’ association is thrilled with the support it’s getting for the Massey Heights Hurrah. Derrick Thornhill of Park Georgia Realty is the event’s title sponsor, while Maxxam Insurance Services Pharmasave at the Crest are associate sponsors and Save-on-Foods is the event’s food sponsor. Save-on-Foods will provide barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs for a donation, with proceeds going toward F.W. Howay Elementary School’s campaign to raise money for new computers.
Jamie Sadler, principal of F.W. Howay Elementary School, said the school community is deeply appreciative of the efforts of the Massey Victory Heights Residents’ Association to support Howay’s students and school programs.
The Massey Victory Heights Residents’ Association’s mission is to foster community and ensure livability within the neighbourhood. For more information, visit www.masseyvictoryheights.com.
Send Around Town ideas to Theresa by email, [email protected].
