Pattullo Bridge Update & Peace Train

  Inside this New West Spotlight Newsletter…

 ⛅️ New West Weather - High of 20

🗓️ New West Events - Fleetwood Mac Tribute

🕵️‍♂️ New West Local News - Pattullo Bridge Update & Peace Train

October 13, 2024

 🃏 Friendship Club Gaming at the River Market - 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM

 🎵 RUMOURS – The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show - 7:30 PM

October 14, 2024

 🧘‍♀️ Mondays for Meditation - Unity of New Westminster - 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM

October 15, 2024

 🤖 Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace - Chamber Event -12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

 📖 katherena vermette’s new novel “real ones”6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 Family Playtime Drop-In (Quayside)- 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

 🐕️ Victoria Hill & Ginger Drive Residents Association Annual General Meeting

The Victoria Hill & Ginger Drive Residents Association will host its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on October 15, 2024, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at The Carpentry Hall, 245 Francis Way. A key highlight of the meeting will be an update from the Pattullo Bridge Replacement Team, where attendees will hear the latest developments on the delayed bridge project, now expected to open in Fall 2025. The new bridge promises wider lanes, pedestrian and cycling paths, and advanced safety features.

The Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project, originally expected to be completed by 2024, has now been delayed, with the new bridge slated to open in Fall 2025. The delay stems from the complex construction work and environmental considerations, such as minimizing impacts on fish habitats in the Fraser River. The new bridge will feature four wider lanes (with future expansion capabilities), improved pedestrian and cyclist paths, and state-of-the-art safety features. Once the new bridge is operational, the existing 1937 structure will be decommissioned and demolished. Despite these setbacks, the project remains within its $1.377 billion budget.

In addition to the bridge update, the meeting will present two exciting community proposals: a temporary community garden and an off-leash dog park on Ross Drive. Plans to restore The Duck Pond will also be discussed, with community members encouraged to share their input.

Read the agenda here.

 ☮️ Support the Peace Train

The Peace and Justice Unit of the Diocese of New Westminster is endorsing the Peace Train initiative, which aims to revive discussions and actions surrounding Canada’s role in global peace negotiations. This initiative focuses on fostering peaceful solutions and includes planned meetings in Ottawa this November with politicians and organizations dedicated to this cause. The campaign encourages Canadians to engage by signing a petition to Parliament, available through the initiative's website.

Participants will depart from Vancouver on the Peace Train on November 15, 2024, after attending a gathering at the Canadian Memorial Church the evening prior. They will be met by supporters along the way and joined in Ottawa by other peace leaders.

Kathleen Wallace-Deering, a long-time advocate of peace and member of St. Laurence Coquitlam, reflects on Canada’s renewed role in peace-building, supporting negotiations over violence. Her reflection, A Call to Support the Peace Train, is available for download.

For more information, please contact The Rev. Margaret Marquardt, Chair of the Justice and Peace Unit. The diocese stands firmly behind this effort, believing Canada can be a leader in global peace initiatives.

Initial announcement HERE.

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