Anvil Centre is starting to take shape at its future home on Columbia Street.
The project, which has been designed to be an "iconic" structure, will include conference and meeting facilities (with room for a 500-seat reception), a theatre, an art gallery and gift shop, the city's museum and archives, the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame, Tourism New Westminster's information desk and a restaurant. The city is aiming to complete the civic centre by the spring of 2014.
Dan Giordano, project manager at Pivotal Project Management, recently gave council an update on the construction project that's underway at the corner of Columbia and Eighth Streets. He said the project includes "very dramatic" architecture, including angled columns and angled walls.
"Nothing is common, nothing is normal," he said. "This is a very unique structure. You are not building Wal-Mart."
People passing the site can now see the walls for the theatre; inside high ceilings are found in the space that will house conferences.
"It is going to have a grand feel," Giordano said.
According to Giordano, the project will include sound barriers so people enjoying a theatre production won't hear noise from passing SkyTrain cars or emergency vehicles.
Mayor Wayne Wright said the project management team provides status updates to the city every Wednesday at committee meetings.
"It's now at the point where the public can see it and understand it," he said.
Coun. Bill Harper said he appreciates the work that Pivotal Project Management has done for the city and its taxpayers.
"At the end of the day, this is a building they are going to be very proud of," he said following the presentation. "You are going to be a fundamental part of that."
In addition to the civic center, the City of New Westminster is building the Merchant Square office tower above the civic centre. The city opted to build the office component after the Uptown Property Group withdrew from the project.
The budget for the Anvil Centre/office project is $94 million, which includes $41.5 million for the civic centre, $12.5 million for the parking structure (to be used by the office tower and the civic facility) and $40 million for the office tower.
The city will use $43 million in casino money known as "development assistance compensation" for the project and fund the remainder through debt and reserves, until the office tower is sold.
