The ’80s were good to some newspapers – not so good to others.
It was a time when newspaper chains were taking over independents and family-run papers couldn’t rely on traditional connections to keep their businesses going. Those two conditions created a perfect storm for the Record’s birth.
The Record’s first edition was published Oct. 1, 1981. It was a dream come true for a local sports journalist who loved newspapers. He believed that New Westminster deserved a newspaper solely dedicated to the Royal City and made it his mission to build one.
Ron Loftus gathered a small group of friends and family together (including future mayor Helen Sparkes) – several contributing $1,000 – to start the newspaper. It was put together on Loftus’s kitchen table.
It wasn’t a big money maker, but it developed a loyal audience who valued local community journalism. And when The Columbian– the former daily that covered New Westminster – went out of business in 1983, The Royal City Record received a much-needed shot in the arm.
It was soon bought by this company’s predecessor, and folded into the New Westminster NOW. The Record/NOW soon dropped the NOW moniker and revisited its roots.
Flash forward 35 years and theRecordis now the only paper in town. A digital revolution squeezed newspaper revenues during the last decade and theRecord’s competitor, the NewsLeader, lost its battle to survive.
Perhaps close calls with death make us all the more appreciative of what we have, so as the Record celebrates its 35th birthday, we feel incredibly grateful to our readers, our advertisers, our contributors and our community for their ongoing support. It’s a truism – but we really can’t do it without you.
A community newspaper is a fascinating mix: a community booster, a friend who tells you what others won’t, a gossipy neighbour, a democratic critic. It’s always, however, a community partner. As New Westminster goes, so goes the Record.
The next years will not be without challenges. Each turn will require us to improve ourselves in a constant effort to retain and expand our community support and goodwill.
We pledge to you to make our greatest effort, and, as always, we appreciate your praise, your criticism and your commitment to having a newspaper dedicated to New Westminster.
And, of course, please join us in celebrating our 35th birthday!
Pat Tracy is the editor of the Record.
