The City of New Westminster is teaming up with the Justice Institute of British Columbia and the New Westminster School District to give youth a chance to experience firefighting.
The city's fire services and parks, culture and recreation departments are once again running the annual youth firefighter program, which provides Grade 11 and 12 students with an opportunity to experience a condensed fire academy situation. This year's program will run July 2 to 6.
"We are excited to partner with parks, culture and recreation, the school district and the Justice Institute to continue to offer this opportunity," said Kathy Ius, fire inspector, community outreach and emergency preparedness. "This is the program's fourth year, and we have seen the benefits the program has had on both the youth and the department."
Students who are interested in attending the fire academy must apply and go through an interview process. Twelve applicants are selected each year and preference is given to New Westminster students.
"This is a great opportunity for youth who are interested in a career as a firefighter," said Sandon Fraser, the city's youth services coordinator. "They'll get to start the summer off in an exciting and challenging environment they will not forget."
For more information, including applications and pictures from previous year's programs, visit www.newwestyouth.ca
Heritage week
The New Westminster Historical Society will be taking a look at local homes and neighbour-hoods as part of its Heritage Week celebrations.
The presentation will be on Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 7: 30 p.m. in the auditorium of the New Westminster Public Library at 716 Sixth Ave. The theme of the presentation is Good Neighbours - Heritage Homes and Neighbourhoods.
Gavin Hainsworth will join Archie Miller in presenting this program which features images and descriptions of houses and their communities in New Westminster. You'll see examples of photographs from neighbourhoods throughout the city, from different decades and various styles. The program is free, and everyone is welcome to attend. Pre-registration isn't required.
Memory land
Queensborough Community Centre won't forget its storied past when its new centre opens this spring. Work on an expansion and enhancements to the Queensborough Community Centre is underway and expected to finish this spring.
Facility manager Renee Chadwick recently led a media tour of the building, pointing out the improvements being made to existing spaces and the addition, which will provide additional amenities for the growing Queensborough community.
A Walk Down Memory Lane is a museum-type feature that will be included in a corridor in the centre.
"It will depict the journey of Queensborough Community Centre as it was in 1978 to where it will open in 2013," she said. "There are a lot of things that have happened over those years and we will capture it in an image along this wall."
The Queensborough special programs committee is putting together a time capsule that will contain items from when the centre first opened in 1978 to the opening of the expansion in 2013.
