The Arts Council of New Westminster aims to be a hub for artists and art in New Westminster.
Leanne Ewen, president of the arts council, said the group has reassessed how it contributes to the vibrancy of arts and culture of the city and has developed a strategic plan for 2015 to 2018. Ewen said she’d love to see New West viewed as the “city of the arts.”
Coun. Bill Harper noted that statistics show New Westminster has the fifth highest density of artists in Canada.
Former councillor to serve on city committee
Former councillor Betty McIntosh is making a return to city hall a year after retiring from politics.
Council has approved a recommendation from the city clerk to appoint McIntosh as the Seniors Services Society’s representative to the city’s seniors advisory committee. The society informed the city that its former representative is no longer a member of the organization and selected McIntosh as its new representative.
McIntosh served as a councillor for five terms, prior to last November’s civic election.
Cat hotel approved
Twelfth Street is going to the dogs – and the cats.
Council has approved a zoning bylaw that would allow animal boarding to be permitted at 800 12th St. The Burnaby-New Westminster Animal Hospital is seeking to relocate its operation from Burnaby to New West, where it will establish a veterinary clinic, a pet-related retail store and a cat hotel that could board up to 12 cats.
More commercial coming to Victoria Hill
A new mixed-use project in the Victoria Hill development will include commercial space.
Council has approved a development permit for Parcel E of the Victoria Hill site, which will see 64 units built in two four-storey buildings. The project includes about 3,000 square feet of commercial space, which will be located on one side of the plaza.
“This site is considered very important to the development of Victoria Hill as a more complete community and is expected to provide a central gathering place, focused around the commercial businesses which will occupy spaces flanking the plaza,” stated a staff report.
